Quote:
Originally Posted by Taipan
Ed,
Noticed that you used the same size and length end mill ( 1/4" 4- flute ) for the body. Are you using a certain type of helix to minimize your deflection or just minimizing the depth of your cut until you get to the finish pass?
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The endmill I use for the body and neck is a 1/4 solid carbide 4 flute high helix type used for fast cutting of aluminum. I climb mill (move in the direction that the cutter is turning) so the deflection, if any, is away from the piece. I take an extra pass at the end to clean up. Each cut is .300 deep anywhere from 4000 to 7000 RPM, anywhere from 40 IPM to 100 IPM. It depends on how the wood is cutting. Ash is a pain because it likes to chip and pull out. I'll take some extra time with the first cut to make sure it's clean. After the inital cut is when I speed it up. Maple is no problem.
Thanks
Cheers
ED
P.S. I used to use a 2 flute...you could cut faster and higher RPM, but for some reason the finish wasn't as clean and there was more tear out in the ash!