How to Cut Cast Iron on a CNC Router

Will Cast Iron machine? That is the question.
Tools shown:
#120-Z
1/8" ZrN coated
Demonstrated on the Shapeoko Pro

[@ZacCrosby]

I'm here for the pronunciation of Lodge.

[@JonValtandtheEvilRobots]

And silicon

[@BobBob-eh5sb]

Interesting! Another one of those things that I probably wouldn’t have thought of.

[@wentbackward]

Machining cast iron is very useful indeed - it's relatively quick amd cheap to make large cast parts then machine the surfaces where accuracy is required. It's a whole other world compared to the expense of aluminium billets. Also the shapeoko is perfect for making re-useable molds!

[@garagehobbies]

Cast iron is known in the machining profession as extremely machinable. Pretty common to machine from castings. No lubrication needed as it is self lubricating.

[@carbide3d]

Good to know.

[@Fred-mv8fx]

Sweet, I'm getting ready to do some machining on a brake rotor.* * It's a worn out scrap rotor that will serve as a test piece to dial in settings for machining a lathe chuck backplate

[@carbide3d]

Very cool. Let us know how it goes.

[@carbide3d]

I have some old ones held back to make a lamp base

[@ReallyBadJuJu]

Wonder if you could use a magnetic "dust collector" by mounting a magnet or two to hover above the workpiece near the endmill.

[@carbide3d]

That's part of the method we used for cleaning up after this project. Placing some magnets outside but around the cutting area would also capture a fair amount of the chips.

[@swissfreek]

Ooh, a red Maker Knife!

[@roccovalotta9490]

Would be a good idea to re season the exposed parts before cooking on it...

[@carbide3d]

That was done, just not covered in the video.

[@michaels8297]

This is an awesome company

[@CruzMonrreal]

Next time, use a tapered end mill. It's not gonna be easy to get a shape to release if it's square, kinda like injection molding.

[@carbide3d]

Agreed.

[@JonValtandtheEvilRobots]

To put a shape into cooked pancakes, like Mickey Mouse, you have to drip in the shape part first, let it cook for a bit and then pour in the rest.

[@JohnColgan.]

so ... aluminium, brass, copper etc should be a doddle !! What do you think for steel?

[@VegieWeg]

Hahaha, don't start a cooking channel. Couldn't see the logo on the pancake due to the smoke :) I think I'm going to try and make some fancy branding irons though.

[@carbide3d]

There go the plans for a restaurant.

[@walkerhenley5771]

Lodge is pronounced "Lahge" like in the phrase "I booked a room at the Lodge"

[@jonlewis5063]

Making a smash burger would probably make the logo show up more clearly.

[@JohnColgan.]

the outer Hexagon showed up, didn't see clear enough for the C in the logo!

[@carbide3d]

It was close John. Yes on the C in the middle. Had I left it full height I believe it would have been a nice looking pancake.

[@Volt64bolt]

Now for me to try this on my cheap 3018..........

[@bubblewhip382]

The Lodge is cheaper than the Amazon Basics pan at like $25.

[@jnrmrtn]

Where can I get one of those blowers?

[@carbide3d]

We are about to have a video on it. I'll follow up with you when it drops. Full list of equipment. Super easy and so worth it.

[@jnrmrtn]

@@carbide3d You guys are the best. Thank you!

[@glennedward2201]

How to destroy your machine in 1, 2, 3. Its easy to machine, ruins your coolant, damages the ways, rails, etc.. its an absolute mess to clean up.