# Speed & feed aluminum **URL:** \ **Category:** šŸƒšŸ¼ Tools & Speeds\ **Created:** [May 5, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772 "2022-05-05T00:10:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/u/ozguzzi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/1 "2022-05-05T00:10:15Z")
30x30 LM, 1/4" carbide up cut endmill, Makita router. What would be a good starting point to cut aluminum (6061), speed and feeds? ---
**Author:** ![JHahn](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/8edcca/32.png) [@JHahn](https://forum.sienci.com/u/JHahn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 7:27am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/2 "2022-05-05T07:27:36Z")
First recommandation is to use a 1/8" bit made for cutting aluminium. Feeds and speeds should be provided by the manufacturer. I also started cutting aluminium with random bits and the main results was pain in ears and eyes. Unless you want to try the 1/4" bit, I suggest using same speeds and feeds as for wood but a really small cutting depthā€¦ 0.1mm to 0.5mm ---
**Author:** ![gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gwilki/32/366_2.png) [@gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gwilki)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/3 "2022-05-05T13:49:07Z")
@ozguzzi Several users have had success milling aluminum. Here are the settings that I have used. I got them some time ago from @BillKorn Using a single flute or o-flute bit, of nominal 1/8" diameter, I use about 0.015" DOC with about 20% stepover at 22 in/min. This is very conservative, but gives a very good finish off the machine. One final thing. Keep the router as high up in the clamp as you can. This reduces the lever effect on the Z gantry and improves accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/u/ozguzzi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/4 "2022-05-05T15:41:45Z")
Thanks JHahn and gwilki. I am making a three wheeled motorcycle, and need some aluminum parts. Should prove to be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@ozguzzi](https://forum.sienci.com/u/ozguzzi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/5 "2022-05-06T03:54:02Z")
I did get the project done. Broke a couple of endmills (I expected that), but the parts turned out OK. Tried using lube, but had better luck running it dry. Thanks guys for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![mjmnz](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/mjmnz/32/8564_2.png) [@mjmnz](https://forum.sienci.com/u/mjmnz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/speed-feed-aluminum/5772/9 "2025-06-06T03:52:59Z")
What bit did you use in the end? Iā€™ve been using a 3tooth spiral cutter 4mm diameter. Iā€™m going to try a smaller one as 4mm on 10mm ally plate is a lot of material to move. I typically use a 0.4mm cut depth at 800mm/min and 12000 rpm. The best coolant I have found is Isopropyl Alcohol with an air spray head and a barely visible spray. The evaporation keeps the tool cool and seems to eliminate the tendency of chis binding to the teeth. As a bonus it makes no mess and doesnā€™t contaminate the swarf.