Anybody have a vertical milling machine?

MillenniumFalsehood · Sun May 18, 2008 10:04 pm

I've got a robotics project which desperately needs help from someone who owns or who has access to one of those vertical milling machines. it doesn't have to be a big one, just big enough to hold a part that is 5 inches in width and length. I need two of each part made and there are two different designs I need made.

This is a two-way joint that will be under a lot of pressure, so I need it made from steel parts, stainless if possible. I have a set of orthgraphic drawings to use. If someone would be willing to do these for me, I'd be most grateful.

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:27 am

Stainless steel would be more expensive and has a tendency to work harden depending on what grade it is. If you PM what you have in mind, I might be able to advise. How thick is this part? I have two VMC machines.

Scratchawan Learner · Sat May 31, 2008 10:24 pm

You could also try A-2, or D-2. Both steels are "Tool" steel, and have a high carbon content, with low wear characteristics, when properly heat treated. Stainless DOES have a tendency to work harden, true enough...but that's usually when it's a high carbon stainless, like 440.
There are other grades, which, when purchased annealed, remain more malleable when machined. Even high carbon steel stock can be machined, if one uses Carbide bits, slow feed speeds, and keeps plenty of cutting fluids on the cutter, while the job is in progress. God, wouldn't a vertical CNC milling machine be fun to have? Perhaps if I win the lotto... *sigh*

Scratch