Thread: graphite turning any hints

Never done it but I'd suggest keeping things wet to avoid dust.

Michael

Hi,
I have seen graphite turned dry, with diamond tools i think.
A quick google found this Machining graphite and carbon [SubsTech]

Ewan

Hit it with the geiger counter first to make sure they are not old ex-control rods...

Making rockets are we? I watched a friend do it a couple of years ago, he machined dry using titanium coated carbide inserts and had a dust extractrion hose very close to the work peice

Tip #1 - dust extraction and appropriate PPE (dust mask)

Tip #2 - never use any high speed steel, only use carbide or better. Carbon composites are extremely abrasive and anything softer than carbide will not hold any sort of edge. Diamond tips are preferred but carbide works ok for most small jobs.

Tip #3 - Avoid delaminations of layers from a surface. For example if you are drilling a hole through a panel make sure you back the hole up with wood so you do not get fibre breakout. Same applies for turning.

Thanks guys all very helpful.
No not rockets..... but my son wished it was...

Ueee That web site is very good thanks

Russell

Hi
Just to let you know that I have completed the little graphite job and here is what I used.
Ended up milling most of it. The main reason was there was a hole down the centre the smallest was 0.5mm and used a collet in the spindle to hold the drill, The tail stock on my lathe could not do this.
Photos show the setup I used.
1;The white tube is the vacuum cleaner (It is a bypass design)The second bit of stock is in the background ready to go.The orange is a hard rubber so that I did not crush the graphite in the vice.
2;I machined both ends of the stock.
3;I used the lathe to part the parts off the stock and the took them back to the mill into a plastic jig so not to chip or crush them for the last step of facing. About to face three at a time.

All went very smoothly and I again thank you for your advice. It was very helpfully.

Russell

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi,
I have seen graphite turned dry, with diamond tools i think.
A quick google found this Machining graphite and carbon [SubsTech]

Ewan

I agree a poly Crystalline Diamond insert would be good for turning . They are good for plastics and other non ferrous stuff .