03-07-2015, 04:01 PM
Not much to brag about, mostly just replenishment of depleted supplies. With Enco's free shipping on orders over$29, I got a gallon of Vactra 2 way lube for $18 and threw in a new 3M Scotchbrite EX2 wheel. In a separate delivery the day before yesterday I got 7 new Valenite VNMS331-C5 grade UK20 profiling inserts.
I will say these new EX2 wheels are a LOT heavier than the EXL I had bought a few years ago. I opted for a 6x1 in "fine", the silicon carbide abrasive. The one I have been using is a medium and it's only worn down by about an 1/8" to 3/16" on diameter despite heavy abuse deburring and polishing anything and everything I throw at it. I think it's at least 5 years old.
The Vactra 2 was only $18 and it shows up just as I'm getting bottom of the gallon I got about three years ago.
I don't need more turning inserts, but these are just the cat's meow for turning aluminum and actually breaking the chip. Because aluminum cuts so easily you can rough at pretty high rates even with a relatively weak geometry. For $5 each (including shipping) they were a fair bargain.
I will say these new EX2 wheels are a LOT heavier than the EXL I had bought a few years ago. I opted for a 6x1 in "fine", the silicon carbide abrasive. The one I have been using is a medium and it's only worn down by about an 1/8" to 3/16" on diameter despite heavy abuse deburring and polishing anything and everything I throw at it. I think it's at least 5 years old.
The Vactra 2 was only $18 and it shows up just as I'm getting bottom of the gallon I got about three years ago.
I don't need more turning inserts, but these are just the cat's meow for turning aluminum and actually breaking the chip. Because aluminum cuts so easily you can rough at pretty high rates even with a relatively weak geometry. For $5 each (including shipping) they were a fair bargain.