Full Version: Stainless Steel
From: Andrew [#15]
3 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#14] 3 Mar 2007
Thanks Harvey
I am going to stick with the half round for now as I need to regrind myself.
I have been experimenting today. I got some ugly results when I dropped the feed rate right down.
I also played with spindle speed. I found some conflicting advice on this around the net (as you would expect!)
I found the following recommedation from Suregrave:
Stainless Steel - Max. spindle speed
Mild Steel - 6000 - 8000
tool Steel - 10000
After a lot of messing about and lost material I am using 19000 rpm and set my machine feed rate at 35% of its top speed - this is only a little slower than I use for brass.
I was getting a lot of breaks on my cutter tips. I have done two things to solve this:
Reduced the plunge rate on the z axis
changed the Clearance angle on my cutters (smaller angle) so that they are a little stronger. Other than changing the clearance angle the cutters are the same as I use on brass and plastic.
I'm now getting good results at a depth of about .005". Next step is to go deeper for paint filling.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
3 Mar 2007
To: Andrew [#15] 3 Mar 2007
Were you using cutting oil, or a coolant of any kind?
It's crucial.
From: Andrew [#17]
3 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16] 3 Mar 2007
Hi David
Yes I am using a cutting oil.
Its just that I make life difficult by starting off with a domed item that needs very small text engraved. The breaks were something I was expecting as the cutter width is very small and therefore weak. it is for 2.5mm text (0.1" in your money!)
I had this problem with some commercial brass I had to engrave once - as a rule I generally use engravers brass.
The tip size is possibly too small for Stainless, however, since changing the clearance angle and the plunge rate , I have been using the same cutter all afternoon, which has a tip size of 0.2mm (.008"). I've not lost any material since them. If this hadn't of worked I would have switched to using a HSS cutter as these never seem to break on me.
The results are great, and I have sent out a few orders just now - I usually use a faceted diamond on stainless. Once I get a bit more depth I will increase my pricing and offer a paint filled finish.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
3 Mar 2007
To: Andrew [#17] 3 Mar 2007
More hassle = More $. :-)
Some people avoid engraving and color-filling metal, because they think they'll have to charge more than people would want to pay.
I say price your item(s) according to what makes the work profitable and let them decide their if it's a method that you'll offer.
From: Andrew [#19]
3 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 3 Mar 2007
I agree with you 100%.
Items I currently sell that are coloured filled retail at 25 to 40% more. I'm looking at steel to bring in some more cash for little extra work. I have the capacity for a slightly longer engraving time than the current method used for stainless, and I don't mind the paint filling - very easy on small objects.
Meanwhile - still on the same cutter, I'm getting deeper, and have upped the feed rate to the same level as brass now. Its been a good day :-)
EDITED: 3 Mar 2007 by ANDREW
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#20]
3 Mar 2007
To: Andrew [#15] 29 Jul 2008