I am hoping to take the next leap and mill some aluminum parts soon. Thickness between .250 and.50, 6061, and I will want to use an 1/8" or 3/16" bit so I can bore holes to be tapped M6 and smaller. I would really like to avoid breaking too many $15+ bits in any one day... So my questions are what settings would anyone recommend in the beginning? I have several 3/16" 2 flute carbide up-cut router bits, and at least one 1/8" single flute bit designed for AL. My preference would be to use the 3/16" bits if possible, I have used a similar bit in a router before with mixed results on AL, got some galling probably due to moving too slow. I just recently learned that faster is sometimes better when it come to keeping cuts cool. Any feedback would be appreciated. RMWhttps://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,191#msg-191Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:01:56 -0400 Phorum 5.2.22 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,195#msg-195 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,195#msg-195
A good starting place for your tool is .5"/second-1"/ second and .010"-.015" pass depth. Start with the router dial almost all the way up and dial back as needed.

The Talk ShopBot forum is a wealth of information, but be aware that most of the users there have never used a Handibot and might give advice that is very relevant for their larger ShopBots; but might get you into trouble with your Handibot.

Things should pick up considerably around here once we open general sales. Let us know if you have other questions.

David]]> David @ Shopbot Tools Handibot ForumThu, 09 Jan 2014 22:50:31 -0500 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,193#msg-193 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,193#msg-193-------------------------------------------------------
> Richard - might I suggest going to
> [www.talkshopbot.com] and doing a
> search on 'milling aluminum'.
> Several folks over there do some good stuff on
> aluminum. Russ

Thanks Russ, that did not occur to me. Found the answer right away.

RMW]]> Richard Handibot ForumTue, 07 Jan 2014 23:16:44 -0500 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,192#msg-192 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,192#msg-192www.talkshopbot.com] and doing a search on 'milling aluminum'. Several folks over there do some good stuff on aluminum. Russ]]> ChiloquinRuss Handibot ForumTue, 07 Jan 2014 20:20:21 -0500 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,191#msg-191 https://handibot.com/forum/read.php?2,191,191#msg-191
So my questions are what settings would anyone recommend in the beginning? I have several 3/16" 2 flute carbide up-cut router bits, and at least one 1/8" single flute bit designed for AL. My preference would be to use the 3/16" bits if possible, I have used a similar bit in a router before with mixed results on AL, got some galling probably due to moving too slow. I just recently learned that faster is sometimes better when it come to keeping cuts cool.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

RMW]]> Richard Handibot ForumTue, 07 Jan 2014 20:05:12 -0500