Silicon Bronze tools

[steamer]

I recently made a new bow eye for my steamboat. Solid Silicon Bronze with a Manganese bronze shackle. I calculated that my boat can hang on it with margin!

Anyway, I've been "turning cranks" for 20 some odd years, but never really played with this bronze before. It cuts with a nice finish, though it is tough. The heat seems to go into the chip unless the tool is dull. It polishes nicely!

The BIG problem I had with it is the long stringy chip! I tried all kinds of feed and speed changes. I ground chip breakers into several tools ( all HSS) but no luck

Always long stringy scary chips! The only thing that beat it was very light cuts ( .005" DOC) I was taking quite a bit of stock off a piece 12" long and really didn't want to wait that long. I ended up periodically cutting the power feed out to break the chip and then taking a .005" finish cut at the end.

NOW the question.

Who here has tamed this beast? And what tool geometry did you use to do it?

I am looking for some information on HSS or Carbide roughing tool for this material.

I have a 2HP 12" Logan.

I would like to make other boat parts from it, but what a PITA.

Any takers?

Thanks in advance for your support!

Dave

 

[steamer]

http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/design-...ub-44-maching-brass-copper-and-its-alloys.pdf

I think I answered my own question. My tool land was far too narrow

I'll grind one up on these parameters and we will see!

Dave