milling brake pads

[rick]

Hi, due to thicker discs (1.5mm) I need to make my pads thinner (1mm each) can they be milled with HSS end mills? if so any recommendations about cutting speed, feed and coolant? I've looked for thinner new pads but not available. thanks, Rick (btw pads are Wilwood street use)

 

[Michael]

I’d think a belt sander would suffice if it’s just 1mm.

 

[Mark H.]

I’d think a belt sander would suffice if it’s just 1mm.

I milled some Porterfield racing pads, but had to do almost .100". Was very hard on the end mills. I used carbide and took a few mills for 4 pads. Don't remember the speed or feed rate. Did them dry. For only a 1mm I agree with Michael, get a belt sander with 36/40 grit.

 

[Brian Kissel]

I have done them with a fly cutter in a mill. High speed, slow feed. A shop vac running on the cutter.
Worked for me. Your results may vary. That way my pads were completely parallel.. Hand finished with a 60 grit paper on a piece of glass. The other option is to shim the caliper half’s if applicable.

Regards Brian

 

[Jean-Marc]

No lubrification fluid that may destroy the pad compound, and a vacuum cleaner is mandatory

 

[rick]

thank guys, lub question was more like how to stop the dust as I don't think the pads like oil and my mill likes water. I like the milling process because it keeps them parallel. but maybe I'll use a sander first and make them parallel on the mill. or maybe I can make an adoption plate and use a circle sanding disc on the mill to keep them parallel. thanks for the reply!

 

[Neil]

I’d think a belt sander would suffice if it’s just 1mm.

I second the suggestion of a belt sander. Just keep the pad parallel to the sander so you don't introduce taper on the pad. A little taper is OK, even factory- new pads are not perfectly flat. The caliper bore accommodates a bit of taper. The pad bedding -in braking will wear it flat anyway.