# Steel milling **URL:** \ **Category:** X-Carve\ **Created:** [February 18, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222 "2017-02-18T19:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/1 "2017-02-18T19:54:38Z")
I have made several projects from steel on the xcarve from 22 gauge sheet to .25in plate and bar. And I will tell you this much take your time and be patient and use lots of coolant this will take a while. I have tried out many types of bits feeds and speeds and what is working for me on a 1000mm I will post below. 1 on the dewalt 5ipm (127mmpm) plunge 1ipm 25.5mmpm) depth per pass .005in (.127mm) and this is the bit i have been using for some time now > **[IMCO | Product Search](https://www.imcousa.com/products/end-mill)** here is the closest I could find on fleabay that the right one was cut with [http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solid-Carbide-1-8-125-Endmill-TiAin-Coated-4-flute-Center-Cutting-5-PCS-/282346812517?hash=item41bd2e7465:g:bicAAOSwNnRYknLC](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solid-Carbide-1-8-125-Endmill-TiAin-Coated-4-flute-Center-Cutting-5-PCS-/282346812517?hash=item41bd2e7465:g:bicAAOSwNnRYknLC) imco left china right ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/1/41e812d5a5d3de39c2c40ea701a55086b2b85dee.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BrianSaban](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/briansaban/32/84709_2.png) [@BrianSaban](https://community.inventables.com/u/BrianSaban)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/2 "2017-02-18T19:59:39Z")
Cool, What type of items are you making with the steel? ---
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/3 "2017-02-18T20:09:41Z")
At the moment I am making a custom keyring per customer specs. one piece is cut with a cheapo china carbide and the other is cut with the imco I will post pics later of the vast difference between the 2 tools. The china tool cut piece is gonna need a lot of filing. And I mean a lot. types of items made. keychains edc multi tools knife blanks other odd and end things ---
**Author:** ![Zach\_Kaplan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/zach_kaplan/32/84268_2.png) [@Zach\_Kaplan](https://community.inventables.com/u/Zach_Kaplan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/4 "2017-02-18T22:49:22Z")
Isn’t the dewalt going too fast for steel? ---
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/5 "2017-02-18T23:50:28Z")
On the order of several rpm too fast. But when they are willing to pay $$ for a hour of my time then a steel trinket they shall have. We shall call this method P.F.E.P. (power filing with extreme prejudice) lol. I would choose to march to the beat of a different drummer but I can not find one that will follow me. I bought this machine to push it past what it was ever meant to do with the intent to build my own. I got this machine mid 2015 and fully expected to put it in the scrap pile in a few short months boy was I wrong. I will share my list of all the replace meant parts I have had to buy. 1. Arduino nope did not need it was a error of mine and it is fine. 2.Dewalt upgrade but who didn’t move away from the default spindle 2. Xrail mod then new x rail. could have lived with out the upgrade but very happy I got it 3. Dewalt brushes we all need them. 3rd set as of now. 4. bits lots and lots of bits. Well I guess it was useless to make that list as nothing except the original spindle has failed. And still on the same set of drive belts v wheels and pulleys. You guys have a great job and I will let you know when something finally gives. ---
**Author:** ![JDM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jdm/32/84169_2.png) [@JDM](https://community.inventables.com/u/JDM)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/6 "2017-02-18T23:58:47Z")
How is the noise? Would it be worth a 10 hour loop on youtube? ---
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/7 "2017-02-19T00:24:24Z")
really no different than anything else until you dull or chip a bit then dogs around the world cry. ---
**Author:** ![BrianSaban](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/briansaban/32/84709_2.png) [@BrianSaban](https://community.inventables.com/u/BrianSaban)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/8 "2017-02-19T00:46:48Z")
You could try one of those cheap router speed controls from harbor freight, there only like $10 and should slow down the RPMs ---
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/9 "2017-02-19T01:24:26Z")
Maybe if were a ball screw set up but the belts can not take the load required for proper milling. Currently in the process of gathering materials for a bench top cnc mill. ---
**Author:** ![PeterGraff](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/petergraff/32/71892_2.png) [@PeterGraff](https://community.inventables.com/u/PeterGraff)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/10 "2018-04-11T15:28:54Z")
@ShaneBell What are you using for coolant? ---
**Author:** ![ShaneBell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/shanebell/32/73291_2.png) [@ShaneBell](https://community.inventables.com/u/ShaneBell)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/11 "2018-04-11T21:08:10Z")
I now have access to cnc coolant but at the time i was using whatever oil i had in the shop. ---
**Author:** ![JakeZimmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JakeZimmer](https://community.inventables.com/u/JakeZimmer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/12 "2020-09-09T21:55:53Z")
I am gearing up to do some bigger steel so thanks for your info. did a bit of small parts that worked out ok. And i have done a bunch of aluminum and seem to have that down. aluminum can be tricky if you try and go to fast too…gumming problem etc…steel just needs as you say a LOT of patience. fingers crossed. i’m thinking of a small recirculating tray system for coolant. get a small t-slot table and bolt it all down. ---
**Author:** ![BrianShinta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrianShinta](https://community.inventables.com/u/BrianShinta)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/steel-milling/34222/13 "2022-12-29T12:47:11Z")
Had a few questions: From which direction did you cut (down from top into material, or create a way to start from the side)? You slow the cut head (dewalt) all the way down? The link you provided takes you to a page with many bits, which bit did you go with? 1/4” shank on the but, I assume? Thanks Shane