Spindle lubricant and speed questions

I "invented" (independently of countless others, I'm sure) that technique about 30 years ago for notching SS tube for sailboat bow rails. I always intended to build a dedicated machine like you're planning to avoid tying up a Bridgeport, but never got to it.

Run slow with a cutter with as many teeth as you can find. We used a 6 flute for 1 x .083 tube. I'd plan on no more than 100RPM for a 2" diameter in steel. Or experiment on a BP to see what speed works best for you.

Wheel bearing grease will be more than adequate at the speed you'll be using.

I'd pack them the same as a car wheel bearing using a high quality wheel bearing grease. You could put in a zerk fitting, give it a few shots of the grease gun occasionaly. Expect to tear down, clean, and regrease every thousand operating hours.

Hav> I'm building a tubing and pipe notcher that uses a roughing end mill. It's

technique about 30 years ago for notching SS tube for sailboat bow rails. I always intended to build a dedicated machine like you're planning to avoid tying up a Bridgeport, but never got to it. >Run slow with a cutter with as many teeth as you can find. We used a 6 flute for 1 x .083 tube.>on a BP to see what speed works best for you.>different sizes up to 2" can be used for different sized tubing what would

bearing grease. You could put in a zerk fitting, give it a few shots of the grease gun occasionaly. Expect to tear down, clean, and regrease every thousand operating hours.>Having tried this, be sure you use a spiral roughing mill with fine teeth. A standard 2 or 4 flute mill is not the way to go, chatters unbelievably. Speed should be a few hundred rpm, variable speed would be nice.

Sounds pretty handy!

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"