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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

What die grinder bit works best on aluminum?

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Ebbsspeed

06-12-2006 07:31:15




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I"ve got to do some shaping on an aluminum alternator mount I"m making, and at this point have it rough cut to shape, but want to finish it off with a die grinder. I"ve tried a couple different carbide cutters (one ball, one straight) but they seem to plug up with the shavings. Is there some specific one I should use on aluminum that won"t plug up? Should I cut at a high or low speed? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Fred Martin

06-12-2006 14:50:50




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
Soapy water, diesel fuel....even a candle rubbed on the cutter will help. It fills the gullet of the cutter and when it gets hot, it melts and releases the aluminum. Even when you have to grind aluminum with the right angle grinder...to keep the stone from loading up...drag it on a candle or wax. Fred OH



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BigMarv1085

06-12-2006 10:20:12




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
I work on Aircraft aluminum daily and we use 3" sanding disc in a 1/4" die grinder. We use rotary files too. When making a 45 degree cut, a flat file will work.



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MikeCatthemuseum

06-12-2006 09:16:11




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
A friend who worked at an aluminum specialty fab shop brought me some die grinder burrs that are made to work aluminum. They have much deeper cutting teeth, a higher helix angle on the flutes, and the edges have a much sharper rake. It takes a little practice to work them without the grinder trying to bounce or grab, but they do not clog nearly as bad as a typical burr. No idea what they cost, but they sure make life easy.

Make sure you are wearing your glasses and you'll probably want long sleeves and gloves. These thing flat SLING the metal. Make sure to hide them so nobody puts one to steel or iron.

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shawnspeed3

06-12-2006 08:56:17




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
I've always used bee's wax ,or a commercal cutting wax , that should be avalible from your local abrasives supplier. I like it better than oil. Shawn



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kraigWY

06-12-2006 08:24:42




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
GG is correct, I use auto trans. oil on my milling machine cutters when milling alum. It helps to keep them from clogging up.



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GG

06-12-2006 07:48:03




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 Re: What die grinder bit works best on aluminum? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 06-12-2006 07:31:15  
You will get good results with a carbide burr if you use oil or trans fluid on the burr or the metal. The alunimum will not stick as bad or at all. Messy but it works.



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