From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 2/24/2026 8:36 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:   
   > "Jim Wilkins"  wrote in message news:10njca3$3jr03$2@dont-email.me...   
   >   
   > I made custom (steel) bender dies, I think by rotating the blank against a   
   > fly cutter set to the tube diameter.   
   > ----------------------   
   > No, that die was cut with an end mill to fit 1/2" OD tubing. An endmill   
   > cuts faster, a fly cutter or boring head could make the light finish   
   > cut. I mill with the end instead of the side flutes so I can regrind it   
   > without changing the diameter.   
   >   
      
   A lot of things will work.  Shell mill, end mill, annular cutter, CNC   
   mill.  LOL.   
      
   I figured to dial it in pretty close I'd make the core of the die as two   
   pieces that key together.  Since I only need to make a 90+ degree die I   
   might be able to program to make them side by side at the same time on   
   the Tormach. Key pin holes, bolt holes, everything.  I'd use the Hurco,   
   but I still haven't put it back together again.   
      
   Oak isn't a bad idea, but I'd have to go get some.  I have lots of   
   aluminum.  As an alternative I do have some Mesquite logs I've been   
   saving, but currently no way to mill it into boards.  Maybe on the 7x12   
   horizontal with a different blade.  I don't use it much since getting   
   the Fein Slugger for lopping blanks off of aluminum bar stock.   
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
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