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Post by tillamook on Dec 6, 2023 20:35:10 GMT -8
I’m finally getting a small mill which will mainly be used for frame modifications and milling styrene. Since I know that plastics are prone to melt when machined incorrectly I would really appreciate your recommendations on how to get started milling styrene.
Thanks in advance!
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 7, 2023 6:28:32 GMT -8
I've been milling styrene forever.
With a sharp cutter, you will have no problems. Unless maybe you feed WAY too fast or too deep.
Drilling can be a problem, because the swarf (first time I ever typed THAT word, I think--my spell check thinks it's a bad word!) coming up the flutes rubs on the face of the hole and can get hot from friction. Gets worse the deeper you drill. When you're milling, the bits get thrown clear.
Ed
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Post by Baikal on Dec 7, 2023 6:33:53 GMT -8
I'm interested in buying a small mill. What's a good (value) mill for modeling? |
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 7, 2023 6:35:23 GMT -8
For any type of machining with any material, it comes down to what cutter you have, rotational speed of the cutter, and the material feed rate. I'm sure someone has a table / reference chart for styrene, not sure if it's in the Machinist's handbook or not.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 7, 2023 7:09:16 GMT -8
I'm interested in buying a small mill. What's a good (value) mill for modeling? I bought a Sherline about 40 years ago. Recently, I bought another with greater x-y-z range (which I do recommend doing). Since all my additional "bits" were already Sherline, I stayed in brand. I can't say much about any others. The Sherlines have done the job for me. There's also the great range of peripherals they sell, all of which are designed to fit their machines. Many years ago, I came up with the arbitrary formula that the "tooling" for a mill will add up to the cost for the base mill. Be warned. I use my mills a LOT. Right now, I'm fabricating/modifying parts for an electric arc furnace. Well, a model of one. Ed |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 7, 2023 7:16:47 GMT -8
For any type of machining with any material, it comes down to what cutter you have, rotational speed of the cutter, and the material feed rate. I'm sure someone has a table / reference chart for styrene, not sure if it's in the Machinist's handbook or not. Styrene is pretty forgiving in these matters. In my experience. Just don't be too "enthusiastic". It's not like you're billing someone for your time. Ed |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 9, 2024 9:17:09 GMT -8
Did Santa bring anyone a new toy that includes an x-y-z axis?
Ed
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