464 Modern Metalworking Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Machine setup for slotting is much the same as for milling flat surfaces. Use the vise jaw if tolerances require this degree of accuracy. A plain side milling cutter may be used if the slot is not too deep. Otherwise, a staggered-tooth side milling cutter should be used. The cutter may be positioned by the following method: Positioning a Side Cutter to Mill a Slot 1. Lay out the end of the piece, Figure 26-53. Clamp the work securely in a vise on the milling machine table. 2. With the machine turned off, position the cutter according to the lines. Keep the cutter slightly above the workpiece. 3. Check the position of the cutter with a rule, Figure 26-54. Use the cross-feed micrometer dial to move the cutter to the correct distance over the work. 4. Make sure the work is not touching the cutter. Then turn the machine on. 5. Position the cutter for the depth of cut by using the vertical feed micrometer to raise the work until the milling cutter lightly cuts into the surface of the part. 6. Make a light cut the entire length of the part and then stop the cutter. Return the work to the starting position. 7. Back the work away from the cutter far enough to be able to safely remove the burrs. Make sure the machine is turned off before removing the burrs. 8. Use a depth micrometer to check the depth of the cut. 9. Subtract the reading on the micrometer from the required depth to determine how much more mate- rial needs to be removed. 10. Make the number of cuts necessary to bring the slot to the desired depth. 26.7.6 Slitting Slitting involves using a thin cutter or rotary knife to g cut thin metal stock into narrow strips, Figure 26-55. A slitting saw of the smallest diameter permitting ade- quate clearance is used. It must be keyed to the arbor (the key should pass into the spacers on either side of the cutter). If the section is narrow enough, it may be clamped in a vise. It should be well supported on par- allels. Do not permit the parallels to project out into the cutter path. Securing the Work for Slitting Long strips must be clamped to the worktable. The clamp shown in Figure 26-56 is made from a section of angle iron. Align the work with the column face and position it to permit the saw to make the cut over the center of a table T-slot, Figure 26-57.7 7 Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 26-53. An example of work laid out for milling. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 26-54. Cutter being positioned with the aid of a steel rule. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 26-55. Typical slitting setup. The cut must be positioned over a table slot and clamped securely. Be sure the clamping bolts clear the arbor. Paper between work and machine table to prevent work from pp g s lippi ng Work Cutter must be keyed to arbor Clamp