This is an addendum to my post about hydrogen fuel systems in another thread.
I never paid much attention to discussion here about inconel because, mainly, molds aren't made from the stuff and I thought I'd never have to work with it.
But somehow I managed to get myself sucked into a project which requires machining some inconel. Note: next time you see a bunch of people standing around and scratching their heads while gleaning over some drawings, head in the opposite direction as fast as you can, don't walk over the ad hoc meeting of the minds and say 'hey... wazzup?'!
Anyway, what tooling is typically use to machine inconel? Can it be drilled with plain HSS drills or is M42/cobalt needed. Can it be tapped reliably with HSS, or is thread milling the safest bet. Endmills. Can we get away with standard TIALN coated carbide tools. Or is using high helix / shear high performance tooling necessary? Carbide endmills no good and HSS better?
Any advise?
Flames for not paying attention are welcome too. :)