Simplex
Member
I'm taking a crack at turning aluminum and I am having some issues that I hope some IAP members can help resolve. I am working on an original design (no kits) so I bought at 5/8" 6061 T6 aluminum rod. I wanted to get the feel for turning aluminum and so I did my setup as follows:
The problem is that I am getting chatter marks and small flakes of aluminum all over the place. I can't seem to get a consistent ribbon for the life of me. here is what I have tried to rectify the issue:
Nothing seems be working and turning this seems to be way harder than I anticipated. Talk about frustrating.
Anyway, what am I doing wrong? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks everyone.
- Mount rod into 5/8" PSI collet/chuck
- lathe speed: ~650
- tool: Woodchuck pen pro
- Tool position: centered to middle of rod
The problem is that I am getting chatter marks and small flakes of aluminum all over the place. I can't seem to get a consistent ribbon for the life of me. here is what I have tried to rectify the issue:
- Increase lathe speed up to 3000 (and everything in between)
- light pressure with tool
- heavy pressure with tool
- lubricants (e.g. water, oil, etc.)
- adjust lathe height up and/or down
Nothing seems be working and turning this seems to be way harder than I anticipated. Talk about frustrating.
Anyway, what am I doing wrong? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks everyone.