Possibility of cutting sheet metal with CNC router?

[jdurand]

I tried the carpet tape on an item long ago, just about couldn't get it off the table.

I'm so used to doing plastic and non-ferrous I forgot about electromagnets for ferrous wheel parts.

I also have a refrigeration vacuum pump for non-steel parts.

Will look into it when I get the new shop set up.

[mr herb]

I have used tape with adhesive on both sides to hold both ferrous and non-ferrous on to a CNC mill table. Set your depth I(Z) to a couple thousandths (-..002 inch) above the table, and you can break the part out of the sheet, and file or stone any burr from the edge. The tape that we used was made by 3M and I think that the number was 434. It was only a couple thousandths thick.. Clean your table off with acetone at the start, and acetone and a brass scraper to get the residual tape off when you are finished. I have made some very small parts this way..

End mills with a reverse spiral were available at one time. If you are ever offered a box of dull end mills, look for one in there, and if you find one get it sharpened.. They have a number of uses beside holding the part down

[tonyfoale]

End mills with a reverse spiral were available at one time.

Yes, they are a standard item, still available. Ideal when you want to reduce the tendency of lifting the work piece.