We’re excited to share the first part of Michael Winkler’s CNC Academy series, focusing on aluminum milling with the Snapmaker Artisan. Michael is an experienced Artisan user, and he’s put the machine to the test to explore what’s possible in desktop CNC.
Why this is worth reading
Material choice matters: Michael recommends 6026LF aluminum for clean chips and smooth surfaces. 6061-T6 works as a backup, while unknown or cast aluminum can cause problems
Machine tips: The Artisan can achieve precise dry milling when used within its limits. High spindle speed, rigid frame, and careful setup are key
Workholding and strategy: Stable clamps, subplates, proper alignment, low chip load, and conservative feeds make all the difference
Michael’s guide isn’t just about results. It’s about learning through experimentation, understanding your machine, and building skills safely. Future parts will cover more materials, fixtures, and workflow tips.
Read the full article here The Artisan CNC Series – Part 1
Thank you for your interest and support! Michael is currently focusing on testing the 5-axis capabilities. During this time, he has been sharing a lot of test footage and updates in the Artisan Facebook group.
The second part of the tutorial is not finalized yet, but once it’s ready, we will share it on the forum as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience!
Great article. I noted you mentioned using air. I use air for cooling and chip extraction/clearing. I purchased a small blower, used for cleaning out a keyboard. It was useless for that purpose, but great for keeping chips out of the cut paths on my A350. I still have not yet printed a proper housing for it but you can see it’s effectiveness. Hope this helps. https://youtube.com/shorts/Vm_ynH6jSXc?si=VWiUesmVgpbfuLcX
Why this is worth reading
Read the full article here The Artisan CNC Series – Part 1
