Subject: Hollow Mills (surface finish?)

From: [email-masked](Dale A. Keltie )
Date: 25 Jan 1996 23:43:20 GMT

Praying eventual forgiveness for posting a question of a production
oriented nature in REC.crafts.metalworking, I'd like to solicit the
opinion(s) of anyone having some experience using a hollow mill in
the turret of a 2nd. Op. lathe.  Specifically, I'm concerned with the
surface finish on (primarily) aluminum parts.  O.D. tol. is +/- .005 so
that's of no serious concern.  I've spoken with one manufacturer of
adjustable hollow mills and, of course, he thinks his product will
perform miracles in this regard.  I'm more than a little hesitant to
invest $300+ to verify (or worse, refute) his position in the matter
however.

We are currently turning these parts and holding 8 to 12 uin. Ra but
our customer would like a better surface finish than this, without
having to pay (of course) to have the parts centerless ground.  I
thought that while the customer is busy looking for the free lunch
he's certain must be out there SOMEWHERE, I'd investigate this
approach.  Any advice, except that suggesting a much warmer climate for
the customer (I've already thought about telling him where to go, at
great length), is sincerely appreciated.

Thanks, Dale

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From: [email-masked] (Jens)
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 02:08:42 GMT

[email-masked](Dale A. Keltie ) wrote:

>  I've spoken with one manufacturer of

Dale, I haven't got a clue BUT why not take the manufacturer up on his
word. If he is so shure, tell him EXACTLY what kind of finish you want
and say to him that if the tool works as he says you will take it but
that he will take it back if it doesn't produce.
It's a win-win situation. The manufacturer will learn more about his
tool and you can try it out with no risk. This works especially well
if you have a good rep with the people that you are negotiating with
but should work otherwise as well. If the guy doesn't go for it, I
think you have the answer to your original question (does it work or
not).

Regards
Jens