Lots of different aluminums out there. Some cut and thread fine and some are soft and gum up the cutters. Some are very strong and do not like to bend and some bend easy but are weak. Normally the closer to pure aluminum, the softer it is. I like to use 6061T6, It machines nice and has the strength, but it does not like to bend. The softer more pure alloys will have a slivery look while the stronger stuff tends to has a more light grey color. Use cutting fluid made for alumin.
?Jeff
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 01:10:12 PM EDT, Peter Brooks <peter@...> wrote:
Thanks everyone for the very detailed replies and discussion - fascinating.
I found out myself yesterday why bolts aren¡¯t made from aluminium. I might as well have been trying to put a thread on a bar of chocolate. It was not a success. Oh well, you live and learn¡
