I'm looking to make a slot that's about 1/8" wide and 1/16" deep in some flat brass stock using a router. Is this feasible, or will there be issues? Any tips or advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
You can easily cut brass with standard woodworking tools since it’s quite soft. Just take your time, clamp everything down securely, and you should be alright. A shallow groove like what you want shouldn't be a problem at all!
Yes, you can use the router for this! Just remember to calculate the RPM correctly. For brass, you'll want to keep the RPM around 26,000, but most routers operate at about 20,000 RPM, so you should be fine. Just watch your speeds and feed rates, and you should cut smoothly.
I’ve routed a 1/4" wide cut into aluminum before, which was tough. Your brass slot sounds doable, but don’t underestimate how chaotic things can get if the brass is loose. Keep a grip on it and take it slow for the best results.
You'll want to use a hardened steel bit for that. Doing this by hand isn't ideal since it's hard to keep consistent speeds. A drill press with a milling table would be a much safer bet, and I've done enough machining to say that solid setups really help when working with metals.
Cutting slots in brass can be tricky because it tends to be sticky when machined. If you're planning to use a router, I wouldn’t recommend hand-holding it; it’s better to use a table setup. But if you are using it handheld, I’d say it’s not safe. A table saw would be a better option if you can set the brass up properly.
Just make sure you're not confusing brass with copper! Brass usually machines pretty nicely.
Right! Aluminum can get sticky, but brass should cut through easier if you maintain control on it. Just be cautious!