Spindle speed: 8556 (1.5 on my Makita router, not sure if software can change the speed of the router so I don’t think changing spindle speed in vcarve helps but I could be wrong)
Feed: 17 inch/min
Plunge: 8.5 inch/min
Step over: 0.05625 inches
Stepdown: 0.0625 inches
What I think went wrong: I didn’t use the magnetic probe to probe my Z when I changed my bit from 1/4 to a 1/8 … Yeahhhh I’ll be sure to remember that next time if that was the problem haha
Well time to order another 1/8, I will probably order a couple for when this happens again.
Leaving this topic here, when my new bits come I’ll try again and update in hopes others that are having similar problems will find the post helpful. I’ve been lurking around and reading some posts that have helped me a lot so I’m just doing what I can to contribute to the forum.
Wow looking at the video on desktop, I have no idea why the video looks so bright. Must have something to do with my iphone HDR settings. Maybe I’ll turn it off.
Got my new bits, tried it again but on another engraving (bike) and it worked! The bike looks and feels amazing.
However when I moved up to 1/16 on another project the bit broke (1/16). I probed this time so I know that’s not the problem. I can think of two things!
Maybe the IPM was to fast. However I used the websites that I linked in another comment to calculate my feeds and speeds so I’m not sure if that’s why it broke
Maybe because it was doing to much cutting? When the bit broke it was cutting into aluminum that hasn’t been cut yet. It could have been under too much load, but if that’s the case then how do I get fine detail?
I’ll attach a link for the video of the 1/16 breaking and a picture of the awesome bike.
Edit 2.1: After browsing the forum I found this thread 1/8th shank speeds and feeds - #6 by JDog here Tom and Jdog talk about DOC. Some say they cut fine at 100% and some say 50% is the most you should go for (50% of your bit diameter) however since I’m cutting aluminum I think this DOC rule is more strict. I looked at my toolpathing and sure enough the DOC was 0.05 inches, my bit that broke was 1/16 or 0.0625 which is 80% of my bit (small edit, the DOC was actually 40% due to having 2 passes in my toolpath), that’s quite far from the 50% rule (if that is a rule). Also my for the passes, I had 2. One at .025 then the second to .05
My next test will most likely be adding more passes because I can’t really change my cut depth as my project needs the depth it’s already at. So I’m hoping the extra passes will take off stress.
The second video looks like its moving pretty fast. Much faster than the first video. You may try a .001 chipload for the 1/8 bit. 9ipm at that rpm.
I broke a few 1/8 shank bits then started using 50% bit diameter for doc and have had much better success with the really small bits.
Hey J, the first video was slowed to show the bit breaking. The speed was 17rpm which you are right, is still a lot faster than what I had my 1/16 bit at (for the 1/16 my IPM was 34 with DOC at 40%, it would have been 80% but the toolpath had 2 passes). I was going to try again with another set of 1/16 only this time I would use a DOC of 20% to see if that would help take off stress on the bit. Unfortunately being a complete newbie at this I broke the bit again because I confused myself with -Z and +Z plunging the bit into my probe causing it to break LOL
Going to have to wait another week to test out if the 20% helps, but if you don’t mind me asking. For a 1/16 bit at 17000 RPM what IPM would you suggest? I’m using a feed and speed calculator to calculate this for me and I’m wondering if it’s best not to rely too much on it.
I will try out the .001 chipload and 9ipm for the 1/8 bit the next time I use it, thanks for checking out my thread!
Edit 3: Another amana bit down… This time I lowered the feedrate, step over, step down, plunge slightly down.
Bit: 1/16 Amana O flute
Pass depth: 0.03
Stepover: 0.025
Spindle speed: a bit over 3 on the makita router, roughly around 18k rpm (photo attached)
Chipload: 0.0018
Feedrate: 30
plunge rate: 15
I also doubled the passes so now it’s at 4 passes. This time it looks like the aluminum was sticking to the bit adding way to much strain causing the bit to break? When I pulled the bit out there was definitely some resistance.
I’m assuming the lower speeds made it so it was cutting the aluminum very very fine which made the bit real hot and the aluminum to stick to the bit.
Being completely honest this failure hit me pretty hard, I was pretty sure it was going to work. It seems that in my edit 2 the bit broke because it was going to fast, and when I lower it the bit breaks because the material sticked to the bit, so pretty much it broke again because it wasn’t cutting enough?
My next Amana bit comes soon, I’m going to try the the feeds and speeds recommended by the websites but this time with 3 passes instead of 4 (so that’s a DOC of 27% , 7% more than last time) also with WD-40 plus air. If that doesn’t work then I’m going to ask for help on the forum by making another topic.
I’m not sure if I can change the title of my post but if I can I’ll change it to “Aluminum 6061” so this thread is more specific and easier to find for those that are looking for it.
Nathan, do you have a copy of Carbide Create? When I had my Shapeoko everyone on their forum always said that the speeds and feeds in Carbide Create were very conservative. Might want to try the same settings there and see what speeds and feeds come up. I never broke a bit the year I was using Carbide Create. I was using 1/32" bits at times. https://carbide3d.com/downloads/ Its free and easy to use. I still use it at times when I am trying to set speeds and feeds on the Onefinity. Just a suggestion.
Your description on this cut helps know what’s wrong here. If the bit is getting hot and the chips are fine then the chipload is too low then the rpms need to be speed up. 80% of heat in a cut is carried away by the chips, 10% goes in the material, 10% stays in the bit, so if the chips are not large enough then the bit retains more of the heat and gets hot. The heat makes it brittle and dull so it breaks. Try 18000rpm (3.2on makita) 36ipm 15plunge .02doc
I updated edit 3 so it’s more clear and I also added a picture of what my Makita was at during that test. When you say 3.2 on the Makita do I go up 2 groves? There’s only 3 until it hits 4 so I just wanna make sure before testing.
Also one more thing, for the DOC you recommend, is that 2 passes one at 0.02 and the second at 0.05 or 3 passes one at 0.02, 0.04 then 0.05? My cut depth is 0.05, originally for the next test I wanted to try 3 passes at 0.0167, 0.0333, 0.05 but if that seams wrong please let me know what is better.
Here is a picture of my DOC passes, this is on Vcarve:
Do all the passes at the same depth of cut. When you change these and go up every pass you are increasing the depth the deeper in the material putting more stress as you go. For the makita 3.2 is about 20% pass the 3 between 3 and 4. I would do all the passes at .025doc. 0.025, then 0.05
Hey did you get your speeds all dialed in? I got my machine a few weeks ago for metals only and have been pushing way faster. .03 doc .21 woc 100+ ipm easily with a datron 6mm single flute.
Thanks for sharing your feeds and speeds, hopefully they will help people who see this post. Unfortunately I have decided to move on from this project, I sold my machine about a week ago. It was fun and interesting but I don’t have the time to figure it out, spent a good amount on bits and decided it wasn’t for me. It’s a great machine and with the right person it can be a powerhouse! Wish you the best with your onefinity!!
Thank you everyone else as well for trying to help me with this project, I appreciate it a bunch.
