Tried a new feed rate on aluminum and trashed 3 end mills in 10 minutes

I cranked up the feed rate on my Haas to 120 IPM running 6061 aluminum based on some forum post. Chip load looked fine on paper but the chatter was brutal right from the start. Broke two 3/8 end mills and chipped a third before I killed the spindle. Turns out my setup was flexing more than I thought and the extra pressure made it worse. Anyone else have a good go-to feed rate for 6061 on a lighter machine?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason2092d ago

Did your buddy check if his tool holder had any runout? I had a friend who was snapping end mills left and right, turned out his collet was slightly bent from a crash a year ago.

the_amy2d agoMost Upvoted

Did you check his speeds and feeds first? Runout ain't always the problem.