Tried dialing in feeds by ear for 2 weeks, then switched back to the calculator and cut scrap by 80%
Ran a batch of 304 stainless parts on the Haas last Tuesday and tried trusting my gut on feeds and speeds instead of punching numbers into the calculator first. Burned through 3 carbide inserts in 40 minutes and got chatter so bad the finish looked like a washboard. Went back to the speed and feed chart, backed off the rpm by 15%, and ran the rest of the 60 part order with zero issues. My old lead hand at the shop in Akron always said the math beats your ears every time and I should've listened sooner. Anyone else got a story where winging it bit you on a specific material?
Learned that same lesson the hard way on some 6061 last year, thought I could feel out the right rpm and ended up with chips welded to the cutter and a finish that looked like a beaver chewed it. The chart is there for a reason and my ears clearly went to a different school than my eyes did. Guess the old guys in the shop know what they're talking about after all.