Machining Copper 110 alloy

[Pete Logghe]

I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.

Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?

Two flute or four flute...

Thanks once again!
Pete

[What-a-Tool]

Did a bunch of bus bars a few years back - lots of 6,8 and 10-32 holes. Very
stringy, gummy stuff. Kind of abrasive, also, so we went thru a lot of
drills and taps, with quite a bit of breakage.
--
/ Sean the Mc /


"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

[Stanley Dornfeld]

I was using a Cleveland screw machine aircraft type "C" black oxide 9/32"
drill in 110 copper.

A bit abrasive! It wore the outside lands down into a taper which started
creating a lot of heat. So..., I went ahead and back tapered the lands to
give relief. I stumble ground them by hand being careful not to hit the
cutting edge. All went well after that. About 1500 holes .5" deep.

Maybe that will help. *S
--
Regards,

Stan-

Post by What-a-Tool
Did a bunch of bus bars a few years back - lots of 6,8 and 10-32 holes. Very
stringy, gummy stuff. Kind of abrasive, also, so we went thru a lot of
drills and taps, with quite a bit of breakage.
--
/ Sean the Mc /
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

[Gary H. Lucas]

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

I've had to do that, as a former electrician/machinist. The secret to
drilling copper is to remove the 'hook' on the edge of a standard drill by
grinding the edge parallel to the axis of the drill. This stops the drill
from grabbing and pulling itself in. I drilled 1/2" through 2" of copper
this way and got nice smooth bore holes. They sell special taps for gummy
materials too.

Gary H. Lucas

[Kath]

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

Make your drills pointier than usual, like for acrylic.

[bob ducanis]

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

Pete,

Machinability listed as 20% of #360 free-cutting brass.......#110 is
considered a 'long-chip alloy', which means the chips don't break
up.....material has tendency to form built-up edge (BUE) on tooling
causing poor finishes.....tool life suffers....recommend that quality
oils be used in cutting....sulfurized oil good, but can stain parts if
not immediately removed.....recommended 100-110 degree angle on drills
and 50-120 SFM depending on drill size....

Bob D.

[Tom Hansen]

Post by Pete Logghe
I have a quote here, that involves some bus bars made from
copper 110 alloy.
How is this stuff to machine?
This will involve cutting to length, and drilling some
holes.
Is it gummy, sticky, or no problem.
Any differnet drills required, other than the
118 degree screw machine drills?
Two flute or four flute...
Thanks once again!
Pete

Use sharp, carbide drills if you can. Consider roll tapping. My
experience was that the hole will come out actually smaller than the
drill size, so check the hole size prior to tapping.

Tom

[Cliff Huprich]

Search at:
http://www.copperinfo.com/inquiry/search_fr.htm
http://properties.copper.org/

Search for "machining" "drilling", "milling", "alloy 110", etc.