? about making guards with milling machine

[jasperdog032469]

Hey guys, just reading the thread about milling machines. I've got a brand new grizzly down stairs, that I've had now for a year. Never used it, have no clue how to...lol. Was wandering if anyone could tell me how, and what is needed for it to make my slots for guards. It has a R8 collet. I got it for exactly that purpose, but just dont have the know how to put it to work. Hell, it still has the plastic wrapped around it!!!
Any tutorials out there?
I look in my grizzly catalogue all the time, but have no idea where to even start when it comes to ordering anything for it...I do have several size collets, 1/4" to 1/2" I think.

 

[ken erickson]

I think this link would be a good start to answer some of your questions. The local library should be able to help out also. Lots of safety concerns with running a milling machine, it would be good to familiarize yourself with basic metal removing machines.

Ken

http://electron.mit.edu/~gsteele/mirrors/www.nmis.org/EducationTraining/machineshop/mill/intro.html

 

[richard j]

if you want to learn how i can teach you the basics if you're up to a road trip. i might even be able to get you some end mills to use.

 

[jasperdog032469]

Nice link, thanks for the info. Thanks for the invite, Richard. Wish I could take a trip to see ya. So endmills is what you use for the slot? I seen Slitting saw blades in the grizzly cat. and thought that might be what you used. I had an 1/8" endmill, but snapped it trying to use it.

 

[richard j]

you're not that far from me. i can possibly save you from breaking any more end mills and teach you a few other things.

 

[Bruce Bump]

This is how I do it. I use layout fluid and scribe them out to exact size. Remember end mills can bread so only go a few thousands of a inch at first and then you can take out about ten thousands at a pass. I set the stops on my table so it stops at each end otherwise you will go farther each time and cut the slot too long and/or break the end mill. I use koolmist in a bottle to keep it from over heating. If it steams its too hot. Just go slow, theres no rushing this process.
When the slot is all the way through leave the end mill there (all the way through) and work on the sides back and forth until it is the correct width. The mill will cut really nice using the flutes. Its amazing how pretty the slot gets when you are cutting the sides.

I measure the blade and measure the slot and can come within a thousandth or two. Maybe some hand file work to make a better fit or if you get the slot just a little too wide you can press the gap closed on the press.

Hope this helps somewhat.

I have no idea why this picture looks like the mill is at an angle, it is perfectly straight up and down. Optical illusion I think.

I have an entire WIP on this sub hilt over on knifedogs right now. Check it out at: http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?t=1911