I am sure that the below has been asked and already answered but I cannot find any such posting.
I need to cut some slots in mild steel, 3/64” wide, 3/16” long and up to 1/4” deep (both slides of slot open). I have been told of and found firms that can supply suitable slot drills (both 3/64” and 1,2mm) but they are all carbide. I have no experience of carbide tools and what I have read fills me with some trepidation.
I know that carbide is harder and more brittle than HSS and is used at higher speeds. My milling machine has a top speed of 3,000 rpm. I have no idea if this is fast enough. What happens if it is not? What sort of table feed speed should I be using? Should I be using a cutting fluid? The only fluid I have is Morris’s CORA B neat cutting oil. Should I start the cut from a pre-drilled hole?
I realise that I should not take any answer as gospel and I must do some trials but any information would be useful.
AVTUR