Old timer told me to run end mills slower and it bugged me for weeks

Guy named Ray who's been running mills since the 80s kept saying I was pushing my 1/4 inch carbide too hard on aluminum. I thought he was just old school and slow. Finally tried his numbers 3500 rpm and 20 ipm on a job last Tuesday and the finish came out way better. Less chatter and the tool didn't get that hot edge wear. Any of you guys ever get advice from the older guys that you ignored at first but later found out they were right?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora_park7210d ago

Honestly, have any of you read that study from MIT about tool wear and surface speed? I caught it in a trade magazine a few months back and it basically backed up what the old timers have been saying for years. They found that running carbide slower on aluminum actually reduces the thermal shock and microchipping, which is exactly why your finish got better. Ngl I ignored similar advice for years too until I saw the data. It's wild how those guys figured all this out just by paying attention.

rosel8310d ago

Running carbide slower on aluminum" like I'm supposed to be impressed by a study that just proved what a guy in a dirty shop apron already knew.