CLICK HERE FOR INDEX PAGE
 
THE VERTICAL MILLER (1)
V. Ryan © 2003 - 2022
 
A vertical miller is used to shape metals such as mild steel and aluminium. It can also be used to shape plastics such as perspex and nylon. Full size milling machines such as the one shown below are powerful but also very accurate/precise. The cutting tools are very expensive and are broken easily if the machine operator tries to take too deep a cut, in one go. When using a vertical miller, the machine should be set up to cut away only a small amount of metal each time the cutter passes over the surface of the metal.
 
 
SIMPLE DIAGRAM OF A VERTICAL MILLER
 
 
 
 
A wide selection of cutting tools are available. They are made from high speed steel and are strong enough to cut through mild steel, cast steel and aluminium. Three examples are shown below with an example of the profile they cut into the metal.
 
DIAGRAMS OF SOME CUTTERS
 
 
 
 
PHOTOGRAPHS OF REAL LIFE CUTTERS
 
 
 
  The milling tool has a screw thread at one end. This is turned into the chuck. A cloth is wrapped around the tool before this is done as it can easily cut through flesh. Care must be taken when setting up a cutting tool.
 
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT VERTICAL MILLER PAGE
 
CLICK HERE FOR EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES INDEX PAGE