tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
I bought this radius end mill from Arc Euro Trade. The shank is 12mm diameter, the radius is 3mm. Which when I purchased this as a one-off I thought would be the most useful size. Why do you need this when you can create the same with a file and some patience? Well, this allows … Read more
Machining aluminium with the Genmitsu 3018 has been a challenge ever since I bought this cheap desktop CNC. The challenge has been I have had to update so many aspects. The spindle is now belt driven, the Z-axis rails are now size correctly and backlash springs are stiffer. Quite a few updates, but even so … Read more
I’ve been using milling machines for my hobby of model making for over 40 years, but CNC is new to me and CNC cutting bits are new. The primary first task for the CNC engraver is to machine the brass smokebox door on my miniature traction engine. The CNC engraver in question is a Sain … Read more
Reduce any Overhangs is all about increasing the stiffness of the workpiece, the machine and the tool. An overhang equals flexibility. One key parameter with regards to any tools is to reduce the overhang and so reduce the chance of chatter or even worse parts and tools breaking. The image shows a simple change in … Read more
A review of a set of pre-ground Soba HSS Lathe Tools in 12mm high speed steel. This is a bit of a cheat as it is not that hard to grind your own lathe tools, in addition you get to learn cutting angles. Having said all of that a pre-ground set of HSS tools is … Read more
High Speed Steel, abbreviated HSS and commonly just listed or described as HSS. A hard steel, about 6 times harder than carbon steel, used for metal cutting tools as it remains hard even at dull red temperatures. It normally contains: Tungsten 12 to 18%, Chromium up to 5% and Carbon 0.4 to 0.7%. Some of the … Read more
Is it Carbide or Tungsten Carbide, nowadays tools are often referred to as being made from “carbide” – what they actually mean is Tungsten Carbide. The reason for using Tungsten Carbide is it has some great properties: melting point 2,785–2,830°C hardness of 9 on Mohs scale, 2600 Vickers number Some tungsten carbide tools consist of a mild … Read more