Dear Lads,
I hadn't meant to throw in my tuppence worth just yet since I have only
completed
the plans for the house extension(aircraft factory) and applied for planning
permission last week. Up to now I have reading and absorbing with interest
your various comments about the Europa and hope to place an order this year with
the factory.
However, I note the discussion about the TP6 tube and various experiences some
of you are having with drilling stainless steel, drill bits getting red and
welding
to the work etc. so I thought I could at least help a little here as we
do quite a lot of that in work so here it is for what it's worth.
1/Temperature
If you allow the piece of steel to get hot it will work harden and then nothing
on earth will go through it. The hotter it gets the worse it becomes, so don't
let it get hot. Use coolant, Soluble oil if you can get some (the white milky
stuff they use in a machine tool) or even water will help.
2/ Pressure.
You need to use enough pressure of the bit against the work so that the tool
cuts
all the time and doesn't just rub off the work. If you allow rubbing to happen
you get heat and see above.Something like the TP6 tube which I have seen on
Tony's site would benefit from internal support to prevent it from collapsing
or deforming under the pressure
3/ Speed.
Always use a slow speed for stainless. For example a 4 or 5mm bit would run at
about 400 to 600 RPM.
4/ Cutting fluid.
Always, always use a good cutting compound. Here in Ireland we use Trefolex and
its only brilliant.
5/ Sharpness.
Use only sharp bits (or new ones if you are unable to sharpen them) a dull bit
will just rub no matter how hard you press it into the work.
There is no mystery to working stainless steel just follow the above few rules
and you will get so good at it as to become addicted.
Have fun,
Terry Coughlan (currently driving an Evans VP1 but hoping to upgrade soon)
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Dear Lads,
an order this year with the factory.
worth.
1/Temperature
help.
2/ Pressure.
collapsing or deforming under the pressure
3/ Speed.
bit would run at about 400 to 600 RPM.
4/ Cutting fluid.
use Trefolex and its only brilliant.
5/ Sharpness.
work.
addicted.
Have fun,
upgrade soon)
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