Milling machine speed range

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

One thing not mentioned in this discussion of T-slots is the desirability of doing it in two stages. The first is to cut a regular slot with a slot drill* of the desired width; the depth should be at least the depth of the finished T-slot, and preferably a shade deeper. Then replace the slot drill with the T-slot cutter and go through again. The result will be far cleaner than you will get using the T-slot cutter to plough through virgin metal on its own.

 

I have cut T-slots on my Emco FB2 (a fine machine but not perhaps one for heavy cuts) which are accurate and cosmetically fine even in mild steel. See photo below:

 

 

 

*Note use of slot drill – a 4-flute end mill is not the thing to use for this job, it will make a ragged slot. If you only have end mills, use the next size down and widen the slot with further passes.

 

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 05/01/2012 11:29:46

Edited By David Littlewood on 05/01/2012 11:30:00

[OddlegsParticipant @oddlegs]

How on earth can you produce a T slot without cutting

a vertical slot first?

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Yes, I don’t know what I can have been thinking of! Still, the advice to make the slot slightly deeper than the required T-slot is worth saying, as is the advice to avoid using an end mill.

 

David (wearing sackcloth and ashes)

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You were probably thinking of a dovetailed groove rather than a tee slot.

 

J

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