cutting elmax

Gahagan

Gahagan

Well-Known Member
Well I got a stick of 1/4" elmax today. I am having trouble cutting this stuff. I am using my portaband with 14 tpi blades and I have gone through 3 blades and have only gotten about 2 inches into the cut. I ordered some 10tpi blades but does anyone have a better suggestion for cutting this stuff? I need to get it cut and may need about 20 more blades cut. I cant keep buying these blades at $15 a pack of 3 to get 2" of cut.
 
Well I got it cut the 10tp1 blades cut it. But I then went to drill it and got about 3/4 way through and it hardened it and melted the drill tip. I have not had this much trouble with a knife before . I hope it is worth it in the end. I just may be having a run of bad luck please let me know if that is the case. on the + side when I groundout the profile it ground well.

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hmmm... Odd, I've just finished working my sample and didn't have anything like that. It all comes annealed.
 
Well I just rough ground it and it grinds like butter one of the best grinding metals I have used. Now Have to figure out how to fix the holes.
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I cut my pattern from my sample bar with a mounted portaband and used 14 tpi Starret blade no problem. I also drilled 3 1/4" holes for pins and lanyard and 4 1/2" to lighten. No problems regular drill bits and molydee for fluid. Slow turning drills with solid pressure. Stopped 1/2 way through and filled pocket with molydee. It ground well until I hardened it and now it is somewhat like D2 to finish sand. Got it to a good 600 grit belt finish and am going to try going to 1200 to finish.
 
I must have just had some bad luck. Like I said I love how this stuff ground but it chewd up my blades and bits. Well I hope Ill have better luck on the next batch.
 
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