[sdiy] Need a bandsaw...

[Paul Higgins]

On Sunday, October 17, 2004, at 10:55 PM, James Patchell wrote:

> You would be better off using an end mill, in my opinion (made to do 
> this work), but the trouble with a router is that the RPM is pretty 
> high on those.  Generally, when milling Aluminum, you are running at 
> around 200->2000 rpm....depending on the bit size.

Well, I suppose that you might be able to use one of those router speed 
controls (assuming that the router isn't an electronic soft-start 
type--my Porter-Cable isn't).  Maybe you could dial down the RPMs 
enough?  OTOH, I have a drill press, and someone on the list has 
mentioned using a milling bit in a drill press with an X-Y table or 
machinist's vise.

On Monday, October 18, 2004, at 01:52 AM, harrybissell wrote:

> Frankly you could use a high speed steel bit in aluminum. The two 
> issues
> are cooling, and stopping the aluminum chips from clogging the bit and
> snapping it.  In a professional mill, they might use some cooling 
> fluid or
> oil.  Normal router speed is way too high for the application as 
> well...

Yep, I use oil with my drill press for a lot of machining stuff, and I 
use titanium bits.  The press has a "wet table" which allows the oil to 
run off into a channel and drainage tube.  Maybe the drill 
press/milling bit approach is really the way to go; I'm just not 
looking forward to the sticker shock of what those bits are going to 
cost.

> I'd try making a couple of small holes in each end and using a saber 
> saw.
> (otoh I hate slide pots, and that is the #1 reason.

Yeah, been there, done that.  It looks like cr*p.

> #2 is that they are hard to get standard replacement parts for... #3 
> is they collect
> dirt easily... #4 is the really limited choice of knobs for them...  
> sorry there are not
> ten reasons to hate them... thats what BBDs are for :^)

Well, now we have the Panasonic ones that Mackie and others have been 
using for a long time; they'll likely be around for a while.  The only 
solution I know to #3 is to hot-glue a piece of velvet or similar 
fabric to the inside panel and cut channels in it with an X-Acto knife. 
  As for BBDs--well, I've still got a few of the last Reticons ever made 
(the RD5107)!

-PRH