Alloy stuck to cutter

[VicParticipant @vic]

I have a small carbide bull nose mill and just noticing it in my box it’s got aluminium alloy swarf “welded” to it. Is there an easy way of removing it?

[VicParticipant @vic]

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Just use sodium hydroxide (lye, caustic soda) solution, about 10% WV. An easy source is drain unblocker. It also works with steel cutters including blocked hand files. You should use a little lubricant when cutting aluminium, WD40 or AC90, or paraffin/kerosine if you like smelly work.

Edited By old mart on 17/07/2020 16:34:43

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Picking it off could chip the edge, chemical stripping is safer.

Mike

[VicParticipant @vic]

Thanks, I’ll try the caustic soda.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Washing soda – sodium carbonate – is kinder to the hands, and anything else in the, er, kitchen. It is not quite so quick, but much cheaper, easier to find in the shops, and will not go off in storage. In fact, caustic soda will slowly turn to washing soda unless it is stored in a properly sealed container.

Might help someone – Tim

[VicParticipant @vic]

Thanks Tim.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

If you use Washing soda, heat it up. It is pretty slow at room temperature, but works quite quickly close to boiling point. The aluminium carbonate that results is insoluble and the reaction will stop if all the washing soda gets used up.

[Author]

Posts