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- Jun 23, 2025
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Has anybody machined CPM 154? I'm going to be running some knife blanks on the cnc tonight and was wondering what it compares to? I'm going to start with 304ss settings. Fingers crossed....
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Machining CPM 154?
- Thread starter BeckTools
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- Jun 23, 2025
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Just a quick update. I went ahead and gave it a try. My Feeds and Speeds app said I should run 4200 rpm, @ 8 inches per minute, with a .020" depth of cut. I tried that and it cut great. Then I kept pushing it harder and harder trying to find the limit. I ended up at 8000 rpm, 77 ipm, and .020" depth of cut. Then I ran out of blanks to cut. hahaha If you're interested in how it ran here is a video showing that
Joshua Fisher
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Mar 27, 2018
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- 1,529
I could see machining the outer profile oversized with tabs remove it and break the tabs off then place it back in the same fixture for a clean up pass to final spec. If the hole tolerance for bolting it down and locating the part are right shouldn’t have any issue taking the part out then back in especially since you’d be cleaning up the profile anyway.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2025
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Yeah I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning and came to this same conclusion. Great minds think alike!
Thanks for the feedback Josh.
Contender Machine
Dealer / Materials Provider
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- Jun 23, 2015
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Toe clamp or drill and bolt the sections that get cut off.
As you found 154 is going to allow for much higher rpms than 304 will. When comparing to a more common SS it would be closer to something like 416.
If you are running a square corner end mill switch to a corner radius or even better a highfeed style end mill. That will allow better tool life and higher feed rates when taking those light cuts in that small machine. High quality end mills with high end coatings will also have the potential to last much longer.
As you found 154 is going to allow for much higher rpms than 304 will. When comparing to a more common SS it would be closer to something like 416.
If you are running a square corner end mill switch to a corner radius or even better a highfeed style end mill. That will allow better tool life and higher feed rates when taking those light cuts in that small machine. High quality end mills with high end coatings will also have the potential to last much longer.