Billet Aluminum Parts

[LoserShoes]

Month ago was back when I wasn't feeling to well. Much better now thank you.

Extruded means the billet was pushed through a die to achieve the desired shape. The angle and Ibeam you see at the hardware store is all extruded. It will not be as uniform in density as rolled stock. I think what is being called cold forged is really a rolling operation. Just think of the difference between shoving gob of clay through a hole, and rolling it between your palms to form a rod.

For your purposes, there is no real difference, to achieve the correct finish might require a slightly different shape on the cutting tool, ie relief, rake angle and all the other stuff you really don't want to have to learn, but your going to be forced to pretty soon.

Steve

[TopCatGr58]

Originally posted by LoserShoes
Month ago was back when I wasn't feeling to well. Much better now thank you.

Extruded means the billet was pushed through a die to achieve the desired shape. The angle and Ibeam you see at the hardware store is all extruded. It will not be as uniform in density as rolled stock. I think what is being called cold forged is really a rolling operation. Just think of the difference between shoving gob of clay through a hole, and rolling it between your palms to form a rod.

For your purposes, there is no real difference, to achieve the correct finish might require a slightly different shape on the cutting tool, ie relief, rake angle and all the other stuff you really don't want to have to learn, but your going to be forced to pretty soon.

Steve

Steve,

Sorry to hear about your recent illness, glad you are better now! I've got lots of tool stock to make more cutting tools, guess I'll be experimenting a bit on the shapes and speeds. I had been advancing the tool very slowly and taking only 0.01" worth of material off of the final surface, but either my tool wasn't as sharp as needed, or I moved it across the face too fast?

I had learned about what Extruded vs. Cold Rolled was, but didn't know the specs, ie. density, etc. and how it might affect the machinability, finish,etc.. Thanks for the confirmation. I'll be sticking with cold rolled material for parts that need lots of strength, but like you said, I think these extruded blanks will be more than satisfactory for the S.O.F.A.'s!
T.C.

[skids]

TC, I have a feeling that you are going to reinvent some pretty cool things this winter.

[mro]

just a thought

originally posted by TC
Are you saying I should try to make them out of plastic??
The site didn't have any listing for ALUMINUM!?

Operating temps over 500 F
Easy to work
Cheaper???

Not sure how "visible" the sofa is or how plastic would look.


mro

[TopCatGr58]

Originally posted by skids
TC, I have a feeling that you are going to reinvent some pretty cool things this winter.

Well, if Jeff gets his CNC stuff up, then he'll probably put me out of business for much of this stuff!! I'm hoping to do a few projects, but I also want to work on Godzilla some more. I've just about gotten my garage cleaned out enough to give me some working room. I want to put an XJ tank on it, make some custom tank badges. I also need to do some work on my frame putting on some gussets/braces to the neck where it got bent, along with some other places on the frame to see if I can stiffen it up! I might have to make some engine mounts also!?

I've got new plug wires, caps, MikesXS coils, and will be transferring the castoffs to my basket case machine that's been neglected this past year, but I want to get it up and running also!

Just wish I was retired, so I could have more free time!!
T.C.

[audijunky]

How about some custom design exhaust mounts?

[LoserShoes]

If you are going to be grinding your own bits you might consider this Harbor Freight Grinder


It's on my list of "gotta gets" but I'm not quite there yet. It's highly recommened on the yahoo groups.

Steve

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Steve,

Glad to hear that it's thought highly of. I've got a Harbor Freight store here where I live! Northern Tool also! . I've got a basic 6" dual wheel grinder, and a bowl of water!! I've gotten some good tips from XSWilly on how to grind my own tools, and have made several already! I also resharpen them often as well! I have to admit, that using WD-40 on the parts has made things go better, but I'll keep that tool grinder in mind!
T.C.

[mainlylinux]

I'd actually love to have my own foundry. I think billet parts are awesome, but to me there is beauty in a casting. I used to work in foundry way back when, so maybe that is why I feel that way.

so basically I want to have my cake and eat it too :-)

Dan