Tee Slot Cutters

[Turbinedoctor]

I am looking at doing a project that will require a tee slot cutter, what should I know before buying one or any?

[ScrapMetal]

Wish I could answer that but I have zero experience cutting tee slots. Like any other of our tools I'm sure it'll depend on what you're cutting and what you are using to cut it with.

What's your project that you need to cut the slots for?

-Ron

[Turbinedoctor]

Thinking about making some sliding rails for a bimini top to go on my boat. Still working out the lock down feature and other details, sorta like a storm starting to brew on the horizon.

[ScrapMetal]

Sounds like an interesting project. Were you planning on using aluminum or stainless?

-Ron

[Turbinedoctor]

Going with aluminum but don't know what grade, just some old bar stock I picked up. Machines very well and seems very strong. Hope to post some pictures as I go. Just ordered the T slot cutters and some other stuff on my wish list.

[ScrapMetal]

Great, I'll look forward to seeing it come together.

-Ron

[Turbinedoctor]

Ever notice how inexpensive the lathe and milling machines are compared to the tooling you need and want to go with them?

[rleete]

Specialty cutters will cost you dearly. I just bought a 8-piece set of 2 flute endmills from LMS. Twenty bucks on sale. An 8-piece set of rounding over bits in the same sizes is $45.

I've been wanting a dovetail cutter for some time, but I can't justify the money for the little I'd use it.

[Turbinedoctor]

I bought the cheap dove tail and bevel cutters from Grizzly and Shars for about 10 to 15 each. I got the corner rounding bit set from 1/16 to 3/8 for $78.

[Hawkeye]

I'd set the preliminary straight groove a few thousanths below the bottom of the T's, just to provide a bit of clearance for the centre of the cutter.

I'd suggest keeping a good spray of WD40 going to prevent any aluminum from sticking to the cutter.

A stagger-tooth cutter should cut a bit easier than a straight-tooth one.