Alum / Steel router bits

[mhulbrock]

Hello all, I have a ryobi basic router with table ive used on many wood working projects. Thing is very powerful for its size.
Has any one used bits to route the ends of steel or alum plates? What brand of bits generally last long enough?

thanks for any imputs.

 

[toolman1967]

I have used mine for aluminum before I got my mill. Use good quality bits like Freud and go SLOW on your feed, fast on the spindle speed. Never tried it on steel but I would never try it personally.

 

[TireTracks]

I would not use it for steel.

Aluminum would even be iffy for me.

 

[A_Pmech]

Aluminum - fine, done all the time. Conventional cut and NO POCKETING if you value your fingers.

Steel - Won't work. You'll destroy the tool, the router and possibly yourself.

 

[mhulbrock]

Even thin steel? For simple automotive brackets.

 

[bonacker]

A Pmech is correct, will not work on any steel, ever. Use only carbide bits on aluminum and use some type of lube like paraffin to prevent loading up the bit.

 

[diesel research]

If it is that thin, there are plenty of other ways to shape it.