Well I finally got motivated today and tried out the vertical mill for barrell inleting. I thank all who gave advise on my earlier thread. I put the walnut in the vise and leveled it roughly and went at it with a 1/2" 2 flute end mill. It worked ok.
It left a clean cut like it was steel. No splits or splinters. The mill was wound out around 4000 RPM. I held the nozzle of the shop vac by the work and cleaned as I went. I put in a dull 3/8" 4 flute end mill and coud take out a 3/8" deep cut with no problem.
I would definitely make up a bit that is the right size and shape for the barrell instead of doing tool changes . I've been finishing up by hand and still had lots to do. And just like when I'm machining metal I can measure twice, cut once and still take out too much material.
The channel is .030" oversize.
It left a clean cut like it was steel. No splits or splinters. The mill was wound out around 4000 RPM. I held the nozzle of the shop vac by the work and cleaned as I went. I put in a dull 3/8" 4 flute end mill and coud take out a 3/8" deep cut with no problem.
I would definitely make up a bit that is the right size and shape for the barrell instead of doing tool changes . I've been finishing up by hand and still had lots to do. And just like when I'm machining metal I can measure twice, cut once and still take out too much material.
The channel is .030" oversize.
