Just realized a trick for getting a perfect finish on 6061 aluminum

I was getting those annoying chatter marks on a deep pocket, even after slowing the feed way down. On a hunch, I switched to a 3-flute carbide end mill and bumped the RPM up by 15%. The finish came out smooth as glass. Anyone have a different go-to for chatter on aluminum?

4 comments

4 Comments

williams.drew24d ago

Read somewhere that a little bit of WD-40 as a cutting fluid can work wonders too. Sounds like @the_ben might be onto more than he lets on. That smooth finish is hard to argue with.

rowan_ross25d ago

That 3-flute trick is solid.

the_ben24d agoMost Upvoted

Glad it works, unlike most of my bright ideas.

amy_grant3224d ago

Oh man, that trick is a lifesaver. I was totally stuck on a finish until I tried it, got way less chatter. I mean, the_ben might doubt his ideas, but pointing me toward that was a win. Made a huge difference on some aluminum parts I was messing with.