Smallest Dia End Mill for 1/8" AL 6061-T6

[pdx_curious (Curious in Portland)]

I have a Nomad3 and want to mill some gears and other mechanisms out of 1/8" Aluminum.

I am hoping other users have experience with 1/8" Aluminum and can share the smallest diameter end mill they have found to be reliable.

I am trying to figure out the smallest Module gear I can cut. I am not in a hurry, but am not trying to push the envelope either.

[nwallace (Nick Wallace)]

The smallest tool you can use is limited by the features you are trying to cut and the runout of your spindle. There are other factors but those are the biggest ones.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

See:

What did you cut on your Shapeoko/ Nomad today?

Finally got this part to come out correctly This is a duplex gear that has 0.3M and 0.4M gear teeth. The teeth were cut with a 0.4 x 5mm endmill and 0.3 x 1.5mm endmill, which is about the same diameter as a single bristle of the toothbrush, which measures about 0.25mm. Material is 7075 aluminum. Cut on my Nomad 3. [image]