Advice on Cutting brass for the first time

Machines (Original/PRO)
1

I’m building a wooden geared clock that I’d like to make brass hands for. I ordered this piece of brass ( Custom Engraving Brass Plates Bright Polish | Trophy, Name, Furniture & Door, Picture Frames, and Perpetual Plaques ). It’s .03" thick x 3"x10". Here is the shape I want to cut:

Hands
Hands153×501 25.3 KB

I haven’t cut metal on my machine yet, but I’m hoping it is capable of doing so. I’m using the Makita router. I don’t have the blank yet, it is coming this week. I’m looking for some advice on a bit and best hold down method. I was hoping to use my 1/8 Mini Jenny compression bit. I also have some cheap Amazon 1/8 up and down-cut bits. If I need to order a specific bit, then I will.

As far as hold down, I was thinking of cutting a pocket in a piece of MDF and using CA glue/ tape method to attach it, then mounting that assembly to the spoilboard. The brass does have an adhesive back, but I’d rather save that in case I need to mount the brass on a piece of thin wood. I’m not sure how rigid that piece of .03" metal will be for a 10" hand.

I’m planning on running the router on the lowest setting and realize it’s probably still way to fast, but that’s all i can do. Not sure what to set the feed rate. I don’t care how long it takes.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

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Hey Jimmy,

by the way, do you know that brass dust cannot really be extracted like wood dust and can in the long run ruin your milling motors bearings. That’s why more expensive spindles have sealing air which prevents entering any dust into the spindle (also good for milling other materials and even prolongs spindle life when milling wood). While brass can be milled dry, you can use a workpiece cutting or coolant fluid to prevent brass dust flying around while cutting.

For more information, the WWW is full of how to mill brass on a CNC

I remember a few persons in this forum with more experience with such brass milling that will help you more.

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If you are going to cut metal I suggest watching this guy: JBWorxStudio - YouTube

He made his machine but it comparable to a 1F.

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