u/BarnBuiltBeaters

Im looking to purchase a mill to machine mainly aluminum. There may be the occasional steel/stainless part too, though im assuming that mostly just means lowering feeds/speeds and taking lighter cuts? From what ive seen, the Altmill seems pretty capable in aluminum.

I picture myself mostly making smaller brackets and parts, the occasional larger part, and using it to cut sheet metal too, even though I know a plasma/laser would probably be better for that.

Im not 100% certain on everything I need to get started yet:

•Altmill

•Spindle

•Wasteboard

•XYZ Probe

Id also be looking at adding MQL. Flood coolant would probably be better/easier with an enclosure, though im not sure the electronics are really rated for that kind of environment.

I already have:

•Vacuum

•Air compressor

Anything else im missing?

Im looking for some help welding aluminum. Ive welded 16ga aluminum once on someone else's setup and did great except melting through the start and ends of the sheet. This is .125" wall tubing and not going great.

Here is my setup

•Yeswelder CT2050 145 amps 30% balance, 100hz tried adjusting these and dont see much of a difference.

•I wire brush with a dedicated aluminum brush and wipe with acetone.

•2% lanthanated 3/32 tungsten

•#5 cup, flow is about 12CFM

•welding with a pedal but for some reason its only on/off, has worked fine any other time ive welded though.

Overall im a pretty decent welder when welding steel/stainless, not sure why its not going well here. I know aluminum takes longer to form a pool and then you either need to start traveling or taper off the pedal.

Any help is much appreciated.

Altmill 2x4 for Aluminum?