What I was really looking for originally was a Martin Committee vintage – but do you think I could find one that didn’t require at least US$700 worth of repairs to it for under US$2000 – no way!

The good news for me is that Jason has the experience and the answers on what I needed – and they came pretty fast. (I was surprised how few question I asked in the end – but if I have learnt anything from my time with luxury retail – sometimes it’s best to shut up and listen and just absorb, especially when you are dealing with an expert)

Design – Well I admit that the design won’t be liked by the majority as it’s a little far from the norm I think that this design just plain rocks!

Weight – I’m not sure this is really a negative or a positive – but this horn does weight substantially more than others I have tried.

Achieving the ideal milling speed for aluminum requires a systematic approach, often involving adjustments and optimization. Here are some expert tips for determining the ideal cutting parameters to ensure you are machining at the most efficient and effective speeds for your aluminum project.

I was thinking of purchasing a matching Bravura for lead playing but I think I will hold on this idea and pick up a Carol instead.

Well today is a special day – I finally hit the button and forked over a substantial amount of money to a trumpet maker I have been watching for a while.

I finally have some semi decent home recording equipment for which to make some accurate recordings of horns. (More on this later as I dive further into this)

We talked about this during my consultation – about wanting to have a similar feel to my old Z horn. All I did was take some photos of my old horn with a measuring tape visible in the background so he could see the mm measurements.

If you hear a humming sound, this could indicate that the spindle is moving too quickly, causing a vibration. Visually, you may see that the finish will start to look “chattery” or rough, not giving you the smooth finish expected. You can always pause the machining process to feel how smooth or rough the part is as the last step to knowing if the speed of the operation is too fast or too slow.

It is important to note that this chart is specifically crafted for milling on the DATRON neo using a Single Flute End Mill. Speeds will likely need to be adjusted for other CNC machines and tool types.

I have to be honest with you all – the experience has certainly lost it’s buzz about it – from great upfront service to repetitive delays and mixed communication.

Speeds and feedscalculator

For those of you pondering if you should try out some additional mass on your horn I say – why not? There are several options out there to customize your horn – but I just want to focus on one element as the topic for discussion, and that is the mouthpiece.

I’ve had the horn less than a day upon writing this – but I wanted to give some feedback in stages so you can see all the stages that you will be going through in buying, selecting, receiving and adjusting to your new horn should you decide to purchase a Harrelson.

This of course is the single most important element (short of your own physical body) as a source of input that allows the rest of the trumpet to act as a amplifier and bring forth big and bold some form of your sound. That being the case……does it make sense to ensure that the maximum level of ingredients that go into making that sound get directed down the horn – or that the quality of the input is at it’s best?

In observance of Christmas, DATRON Dynamics will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024. We will return to normal operations on Thursday, December 26th.

I used an interesting analogy just the other day about the ‘feel’ of  playing a SWE mouthpiece. I’m not sure if this is the best analogy (perhaps better to explain a heavyweight leadpipe – but the concept is the same) Imagine picking up and old straw and blowing air down that straw in a stready stream – the straw will handle that level of air to a point – but what happens if you blow to hard or too soft? Does that level of air get sustained? Does the straw perhaps vibrate under those conditions? Then imagine getting a small metal pipe of the same internal proportions – but with extra mass around that straw. What happens? – the air is consistently delivered down the pipe under both loads and remains consistent.

Optimizing CNC milling speed for aluminum materials is crucial for achieving efficient machining processes, maximizing productivity, and ensuring the quality of the finished parts. Aluminum is a widely used material in various industries due to its lightweight properties, excellent machinability, and corrosion resistance. However, machining aluminum presents unique challenges compared to other metals like steel or titanium.

DATRON CNC machines offer an excellent coolant solution using ethanol instead of flood coolant to keep the workpiece cool and reduce friction. Having a cool and dry workpiece also gives you the optimal conditions for high speed milling. Not to mention that these conditions are also excellent for better chip excavation.

Let me just say – I have never tried a Harrelson – like anyone I hope that the results are worth the investment. Judging on the feedback of players that own this instruments I will be in for something special.

Cutting speed refers to the speed at which the cutting tool moves relative to the workpiece surface. For high speed milling aluminum, faster cutting speeds are generally preferred to maintain efficient material removal rates and prevent built-up edge formation. However, the machinist needs to keep in mind that excessive cutting speeds can lead to tool wear, heat generation, and poor surface finish. The recommended cutting speeds for aluminum typically range depending on the alloy and tooling. See the Aluminum Milling Speed Chart below for more information on cutting speeds.

Our DATRON Experts Help Many Customers Bring Manufacturing In-House. Reach Out To Our Team To See Which Machine And Accessories Are The Right Fit For Your Parts.

On a more positive note I did recently test out 2 of Harrelson’s creations at Dr Dave’s shop and can tell you that they are very nice horns indeed.

First, let’s talk about the different kinds of aluminum alloys you may run into and what that means for milling speed. There are numerous alloys, each with their unique composition and properties. Some alloys exhibit greater hardness and thermal conductivity than others, affecting how they respond to milling. For instance, 6061 aluminum, a commonly used alloy, typically requires different milling parameters than softer variants like 1100 aluminum.

Aluminum speeds and feedschart pdf

I try not to think too much about the physics etc of each horn – and instead try to judge by what I hear and feel as I approach a horn.

When determining the optimal CNC milling speed for aluminum, several factors need to be considered such as the material grade and alloy, cutting tools, cutting speeds, feed rates, and more. All these factors can make stepping into the world of high speed milling aluminum a daunting task, but not to fear! Our experts have put together some tips and rates for milling that will help you tackle any aluminum milling project with ease.

I have to make it known now though –  when they say (meaning his previous customers) it will be worth the wait they are not wrong.

But seeing as I’d rather look at another horn that put gold plate on this one (Gold is obscenely expensive right now) raw brass finish it is.

If you can find a used Harrelson – most of the time they make excellent purchases as long as you get specs that are close to what you are looking for. (Especially the 907 and 908 modifications as they were based on existing horns and modified to improve efficiency and sound)

The plus side of this is the horn is built tough – and it really does not let much energy escape out whilst the sound wave is traveling to the bell and out.

I’ve seen a few custom horns recently and I’d have to say his fit and finishing is some of the best I have seen. I love how when I first picked up this horn it felt almost exactly the same as my old horn (all-be-it a little heavier of course)

At this stage I tried it out with my Wedge Gabriel 24 and the Wedge Gabriel FLX, an Al Cass 1-2-1 (the horn was gap adjusted for an Al Cass 1-28) and an Al Cass Cornet 1-24 with adapter. All had pretty similar results.

Remember, machining conditions can change over time due to factors like tool wear or material variations. Therefore, it’s essential to continuously monitor the process and adjust as needed to ensure consistent performance. Before you know it, you will be milling like a pro!

The deal was too good to pass up and it will be an interesting experiment having a custom trumpet made to my exact requirements.

I did go so far as to send them an ideal customer experience model (as this is kind of the area of expertise that I work in for my day job).

End Millspeeds and feedscalculator

From prototype to production, DATRON Dynamics optimizes your entire machine workflow with touchscreen-enabled DATRON CNC machines. With headquarters located on the East Coast in Milford, New Hampshire, and an office in Livermore, California, we are your one-stop DATRON Partner in North America

Actually…..scratch that – I’d really prefer it if there was only a few of these out there so I’m the only one who sounds like I do.

Next, you will need to consider the tool material you are using and the geometry of that tool when calculating the milling speed for aluminum. The choice of cutting tool plays a significant role in determining the speed, and here are a few reasons why:

He also specially filed the middle brace edges and offset the 1st valve ring by 20 degrees or so to match my hand placement.

For beginners, you might not consider how coolant plays a crucial part in optimizing the milling speed, but our experts are here to tell you that it certainly does! As we discussed, high speed milling aluminum can create a lot of heat which can weld the chip in the tool without the proper cooling. Making sure your coolant reaches the tip of your tool will support smooth milling operations. Be sure to adjust your coolant for each application properly.

Once you understand the material and tools you are working with, you must balance the cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut to complete your project. To make this easier to understand, our experts have broken these topics down even further.

Aluminum speeds and feedscalculator

My theory (and it’s probably common science/physics) is that with the additional mass more energy is delivered into the horn where you need it to be – thus allowing better control on loud and soft volume. I also notice that with the lighter weight mouthpieces there is more physical feedback on the mouthpiece through the minute vibrations – and this is enough to throw you off ever so slightly when going to highs and lows in the range of the instrument.

The bore of the horn is large – yet it plays and speaks quite easily – very even and clear tone with a nice core to the sound.

This is a great trumpet and I would happily recommend this to anyone who was looking for a nice dark and smooth sounding horn.

Aluminum speeds and feedschart

In observance of Thanksgiving, DATRON Dynamics will be closed on Thursday, November 28th, 2024. We will return to normal operations on Monday, December 2nd.

Of course at the moment she’s looking a little fresh – but over time she will develop a lovely tan and get a more mature look about her.

Aluminum speeds and feedspdf

I had never really played a C trumpet properly for an extended period before – but I found this very easily to acclimatize too and have since been playing where I can a number of C charts to ensure that I can switch between a C and Bb trumpet with ease.

As you can see, optimizing CNC milling speed for aluminum materials requires a thorough understanding of aluminum properties, cutting tool selection, and machining parameters. You can achieve efficient machining processes by carefully adjusting cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cut, and coolant/lubrication strategies. Following our expert tips, referencing aluminum milling speed charts and continuously monitoring the machine is essential for any high speed milling aluminum projects.

The system will be a $300 refundable deposit is required for each full set that goes out, or $150 for each set of bottom caps that goes out, and you will have a 5 day trial period on the sets.  P&P will be $5 to most of NZ.

From my limited conversation and talking through on the phone so far with Harrelson I’d say that these guys are top notch, and I feel very safe in the idea that they will build me a horn to match the sound concept in my head.

Aluminum speeds and feedsfor milling

(I mentioned I have 3 very different instruments in the stable and what I liked/dislike about each – then I went on to describe what I thought was the perfect sound concept and resistance factor for me – a Martin Committee Deluxe Medium Bore)

Carbide end mills are preferred for aluminum due to their durability and heat resistance. The hardness of carbide end mills allows them to maintain their cutting-edge sharpness for a longer time, resulting in better performance and longer tool life. Carbide end mills also pack a punch when it comes to heat resistance. These tools can withstand high temperatures without losing their hardness, making them especially well-suited for high speed milling aluminum.

Jason changed the leadpipe mouthpiece receiver from the original design to something that he worked on for his artist series Summit – and I love it!

Our machinist experts know that evaluating the machining process is a crucial part of any project, but this is especially true when determining the spindle speed for milling aluminum. Pay attention to the machine when running your part for early detection of any potential problems.

This horn is really for me to branch out more into Combo playing and have something that I can blow all night long and not tire on – the 6310Z fits the bill most of the way but not quite.

Our experts at DATRON know the potential challenges that come with milling aluminum. They also know that using DATRON CNC machines can significantly reduce the learning curve due to the user-friendly nature and design of our machines. Contact us today to see how simple CNC machining can be and how easily you can become a pro with any material. We guarantee that you will be requesting a quote to see how you can start milling on a DATRON CNC machine today!

Another crucial aspect to consider is the workholdings, which will impact the milling speed. It’s important to understand that parts machined in a vice will differ from what you machine on a vacuum table or pneumatic workholding. Each workholding may create different vibrations requiring you to adjust the milling speed for optimal results. For workholdings like vices and vacuum tables, the rigidity offered allows for more aggressive milling, or high speed milling, which is necessary for roughing operations.

It may also seem like a no-brainer, but having a stable and level machine will impact the speed rates, as well as the quality of the finished project. Know the structure and stability of your machine before you start to mill, and check to ensure that it is level.

I tested this theory out by purchasing a Curry 1.5DE mouthpiece and a Harrelson Modified version of the same mouthpiece then played them testing out the difference in feel, blow and slotting. To me the Harrelson was far superior in all 3 areas. Such a simple concept – and it works. Not only that but the modification just looks badass. (and all us trumpet players want to look cool right?)

Different strokes for different folks I guess – but if you’re expecting frequent updates I think you need to lower your expectations in this regard.

To use imagery – it’s like a cold winter’s day where you are able throw a blanket and start up the open fire in the living room kind of feeling. That’s the kind of warmth that goes right to the core and warms you all over.

All-in-all this was an excellent buy and I intend to keep this one a while as it makes a great partner to my Harrelson Summit.

I recall when I first got my 6310Z it took me about 2-3 weeks to essentially get how to blow the horn correctly so will be taking it slow and steady here too.

I get the impression from this one that very little escapes the horn before the sounds you created at the business end travels of the bell rim.

The rigidity and stability of the CNC machine play a significant role in achieving optimal milling speeds for aluminum. Machines with robust structures and high-quality components can withstand the forces generated during high-speed machining while maintaining dimensional accuracy. It’s important to remember that not all CNC machines are the same. A hobbyist machine will most likely not be as rigid and stable as a high-quality CNC machine.

Aluminum speeds and feedstable

It’s a surreal experience talking to someone over the phone and trying to describe really what you are after in an instrument.

Also I had one of my wisdom teeth out about 12 days ago – so not in a position to let rip at the moment as the mouth is still healing.

The feed rate determines how quickly the cutting tool advances into the workpiece. The feed rate affects chip formation, tool wear, and surface finish, all aspects to consider when selecting the milling speed for your project. A balance between cutting speed and feed rate is necessary to achieve optimal chip evacuation and prevent chip recutting. The feed rate for aluminum milling is typically higher than that for other materials to maintain chip thinning and prevent chip buildup.

If you are not satisfied with the horn you should at least be able to get back what you paid for it straight away – how many horns can you say that about?

But seriously – if you’ve been watching Ebay lately you’ll see that Harrelson Bravura’s are selling for less than what you would pay for a new Bach or a Yamaha.

I doubt that will take long – after one gig you can see finger marks starting to show in the pics and the dark brown section on the 3rd valve.

Adjustment – Well I picked this horn up and could go up and down 2 octaves (low G to G above the staff) no problem – but it kicked me a little when I wanted to go higher. (Normally I can go to the high G without to much issue). Pretty sure this is just me adjusting to the horn.

This is quite an interesting horn given that is has the full thickness leadpipe and a number of modifications around the leadpipe and bracing. The bottom caps were originally the heavy weight caps but they have since been ground down to between the medium and lightweight caps.

Well it’s been a long time between last updates – and the reason for this has been due to the fact that there has been little to update you all on.

The depth of cut refers to the distance the cutting tool penetrates the workpiece during each pass. In aluminum milling, shallow depths of cut are often preferred to minimize tool deflection, vibration, and heat generation. However, increasing the depth of cut can improve material removal rates in certain applications, provided that the cutting parameters are adjusted accordingly.

If you are living in New Zealand and  interested in testing out these caps visit the website www.trumpetgear.co.nz and let us know via the contact page.

Additionally, factors such as flute geometry, coating, and tool diameter influence the cutting forces and heat generation, thereby impacting the ideal milling parameters. Our experts at DATRON recommend using a DATRON’s 4 in 1 single flute tools which are best for balancing chip evacuation and floor finishing when milling aluminum.

He asked a few questions about what kind of music I am playing (Big Band and Jazz Combo) – what kind of sounds concept I would like, and we went through the order form step by step discussing each step.

This is a general overview of common aluminum alloys and their mechanical properties. This chart serves as a resource for understanding the diverse characteristics of various aluminum alloys frequently utilized across industries. From the lightweight and corrosion-resistant 6061 alloy to the high-strength 7075 alloy, this chart delineates essential mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and more. Whether assessing for structural integrity, machinability, or thermal conductivity, this chart offers a succinct yet informative portrayal of aluminum alloys, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing the efficiency of design and production processes.

Perhaps this is where Jason Harrelson and his SWE (Standing Wave Efficiency) modification for mouthpieces comes in? (or for that matter any Mouthpiece manufacturer that makes a heavyweight mouthpiece blank – I personally prefer Dr Daves Wedge Heavyweight Backbore myself)

Now that we have established the foundations for milling aluminum, it is time to help you find the optimal milling rates!

It’s also important to consider the size and weight within the workholding as this is another variable that can affect how quickly you mill. When considering your workholding options, keep in mind that vice workholding allows for faster machine operations and is more repeatable when machining multiple of the same part.

Now the only question left is – can you justify the price tag to do this ‘tweak’? – or do add mass in another way?  For those with Curry mouthpieces – I suggest purchasing a Curry Monster Sleeve for significantly less.

So a big apology goes out to Jason for reminding him each time the horn was delayed a little. I guess being a first time rookie to having a horn custom built and having thousands of dollars out there in the land of the US where someone was hopefully building me something – was a little too much to bear in some stages.

As always, begin by consulting machining handbooks, tool manufacturers’ recommendations, or online resources such as feed rate calculators for initial milling speed guidelines based on the specific aluminum alloy and tooling used. Doing your research in advance can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

I like to know when there’s a delay and what’s up with progress etc at all times. (I live in Japan and this is pretty much expected without question)

Mic – Audio Technica AT-2035 linked into a Stienberg CI-1 Audio interface and Audacity software – there are no effects added to this recording – it’s raw and ‘as-is’

Well, last week came and went – and yes I did have a conversation with Jason from Harrelson trumpets about my new instrument that he is designing for me.

(Wish I was as I’m looking for a new job next year – anyone working for a trumpet related business that requires a trumpet fanatic to represent them or help out in the shop?)

Once the optimal speed range is identified, fine-tune the parameters to maximize efficiency while maintaining tool life and workpiece quality. This may involve adjusting the feed rate, depth of cut, or tool path strategy. Keep a close eye on your workpiece and know when to pause the machine operation to make the appropriate adjustments. Over time, you will know what speeds work best for your workpiece specifications.