How fast (SFM) can you run HSS in 6061?

[Finegrain]

It's good to see you back in the swing of things, Mike.

Thanks Grant, it's been a rough few months

 

[MrWhoopee]

Look for 5/32 bullnose router bit with 1/2" shank. I've run them in steel and they hold up just fine.

For the small amount of material removal and in aluminum, a 1/4" shank would probably work.

Tideway Carbide Pro WL1461 5/32" R Bull Nose Beading 1/2" shank router bit | eBay

It is equivalent to the tideway professional grade. About Tideway.

www.ebay.com

 

[DMF_TomB]

I'm running a Whitney 5/32" bullnose cutter in 6061 to put a bullnose all the way around a ~5" x 20" part. I actually don't know what the practical limits are for HSS cutting 6061. I'm running 1,300 SFM right now, and all seems well. I'd like to go faster, of course, but I don't want to prematurely dull this expensive cutter. I have several hundred parts to make.

Anybody running HSS in 6061 at "very high" SFM's?

Thanks, and regards.

Mike

many factors like
length of tool stick out
tool holder length (flexing vibration damages carbide faster than hss)
depth of cut
width of cut
part material
part stability, fixture stability
desired finish
coolant or dry
tool life
sfpm
ipt feed
..... router speeds often run very fast, same with circular saw going over 5000 sfpm cutting
steel and aluminum plate like its plywood, end mills often run faster taking finish
cut very low depth or width of cut
.
you try things and record results. i have seen sfpm ok with short tool / tool holder that
doesnt work with longer lengths