Turning data depends on the exact alloy, stock condition, insert, machine, workholding, and finish target. The table below is intentionally narrow: it shows Mueller Brass’s typical lathe range for C36000 free-cutting brass. It is not a speed-and-feed chart for every copper alloy. Mueller also cautions that C36000 has limited hot-workability and describes the alloy as intended for general machining and higher-volume production.

Turning speeds and feeds for copper alloys

Interpreting the C36000 range

Surface speed is the speed of the work material at the cutting edge, expressed here in surface feet per minute (sfm) and converted to meters per minute. Feed per revolution is the distance the tool advances during one spindle revolution. Mueller lists 300–1,000 sfm and 0.002–0.015 in/rev for lathe turning C36000. Those are broad typical values; they do not specify insert grade, nose radius, depth of cut, bar diameter, rigidity, or required surface finish.

For metric planning, the conversions are 1 sfm = 0.3048 m/min and 1 in/rev = 25.4 mm/rev. The displayed ranges therefore convert to about 91–305 m/min and 0.051–0.381 mm/rev. Conversion changes the units, not the recommendation’s scope or uncertainty.

Worked spindle-speed check

For a one-inch diameter workpiece and a selected surface speed of 1,000 sfm, the geometric spindle-speed estimate is RPM = 12 × sfm ÷ (π × diameter in inches), or about 3,820 rpm. At a feed of 0.005 in/rev, the corresponding linear feed is about 19.1 in/min. This is only a kinematic calculation: the machine’s rated speed, bar support, tool limits, chip control, workholding, and shop procedure may require a lower setting. Recalculate RPM as diameter changes if constant surface speed is being used.

In metric units the same relation is RPM = 1,000 × V_c ÷ (π × D), where V_c is in m/min and D is the cutting diameter in millimeters. Feed per minute is feed per revolution multiplied by RPM. These equations convert a selected cutting condition into machine motion; they do not choose a suitable condition for a particular part.

Choose a starting point safely

Confirm that the stock is actually C36000 and identify its condition. Then match the tool material and edge geometry to the job, check the machine and workholding, and begin with a conservative combination inside the manufacturer’s range. Observe chips, cutting force, vibration, tool wear, surface finish, and temperature. Adjust one parameter at a time and record the successful setup for the same part and material lot.

Do not transfer these values to C110 copper, aluminum bronze, nickel silver, or another brass grade simply because each is called a copper alloy. They can machine very differently. For non-ferrous alloys outside C36000, use a current toolmaker or material-supplier recommendation for that exact grade and tooling system. This table does not establish a safe production setting or guarantee tool life.

Mueller also lists different values for drilling, milling, form tools, and tapping. Those figures are not reproduced in this turning table because each operation uses different feed definitions and tool engagement. In milling, for example, feed per tooth depends on the number of active teeth; using a turning feed-per-revolution value there would be a unit and process error. Select the manufacturer’s data for the actual operation.

Source

Speed, feed, material identification, and typical-parameter context are from Mueller Brass’s C36000 product data. The RPM and feed-per-minute examples are unit calculations from the displayed inputs. Check the latest product and cutting-tool guidance before production.

Treat the low and high ends as a starting envelope for a controlled trial, not as two equally suitable settings. Begin within the toolmaker’s range, confirm the workholding and machine limits, and change one cutting variable at a time. Record chip shape, sound, finish, and tool wear so the selected setting is tied to the actual setup. If the operation becomes unstable, reduce the setting and reassess the cause before continuing.