Aluminium turning with a combination lathe is both common as well as an easy process as long as you are familiar with the lathe. The combo lathe used for aluminium turning is actually a combination of two tools; a lathe and another machine. Aluminium is an easy medium to work with when turning, and as it is relatively cheap too it is commonly used in a multitude of projects. The finished results of turning aluminium are also impressive; the materials cuts and polishes to perfection. To see just how the experts turn aluminium and more, visit www.cam-machine.com/cnc-turning.
Before you Start
Before you start your turning project with aluminium, ensure that you have read the safety guidelines of the lathe you will be using. When using a lathe, the harder the material you use, the slower the speed of the lathe. Aluminium is a very soft material, and therefore the speed of the lathe should be set very high for best results. As a beginner, do not try and turn a long piece of aluminium the first time you try. This is because it could wobble at the end and become dangerous. Never use a piece that is longer than three times its diameter; this is a good rule of thumb to follow.
Getting Started with the Chuck
To get started with your aluminium turning, you need to install the material correctly into the lathe. When inserting the material into the chuck, be careful not to scratch it. This can be assured by taking a few precautions, and inserting a few thin pieces of aluminium can between the chuck and the piece that you will actually be working on. Once you have inserted the medium on which you will be working, it is time to install the tool bit. The tool bit needs to be inserted slightly lower than the centre of the piece and then locked into place.
Truing the Piece and Starting the Turning
Once you have set up the tool bit, you then need to ensure that the piece is true before you start turning. What this entails is ensuring that the piece spins correctly around on the axis of the lathe. To start the turning, avoid having contact with the aluminium and the tool bit. Instead, start the turning and then go on to introduce the material to the tool bit. Move the tool bit a millimetre at a time until it touches the lathe, and once the two have met and are working correctly allow the turning process to continue until you have the correct piece and size of aluminium you require.
Aluminium turning is easy, and requires little practice to become confident. Practice on some cheap pieces of aluminium until you get the hang of things. Bear in mind that aluminium is not expensive, and although you want to avoid making mistakes, any mistakes you make will not be too costly. Once you are confident in turning with aluminium, you can go on to create all kinds of shiny and impressive pieces, all within a budget that will not break the bank.
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