CNC Router Bits

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

Some of you are much more experienced than we are so I was hoping you might be able to help us out with a question. To cut 1/8 inch hardboard or melamin, what router bit would you recommend to prevent chipping?


Zelma

[Ed Harrall]

I would use a down spiral bit

[Paul Phillips]

Hi Zelma, depending on what you are doing with it, it sounds like a compression bit may be what you need to try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuo_EfVka6s

http://www.onsrud.com/product/Item/m/listContent.html?q=60-100

[Scott Shepherd]

Paul, is compression going to do it with only 1/8" thick on the material? Most the compression bits we've used are in the .200"-.250" on the upcut spiral before they reverse direction.

I'd say down spiral or possibly even a straight bit for something that thin, yes, no, maybe????

[Mike Heidrick]

I would use a down spiral and have good sacrificial support under the melamine. Hardboard would not be an issue - its sawdust with really no layer to chip out. Ideally use vacuum clamping through lightweight MDF called LDF for the melamine..

[Paul Phillips]

Yeah, you are right, I missed the 1/8" part, I was thinking for thicker material, in that case you're right down spiral would be best, wouldn't you have basically the same problem though with chipping only on the backside or would it be minimized by the contact of the table surface? I've never cut it that thin.

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

Looks like down spiral bit is it. Thank you all very much!

. . . now let me see where did I put that catalog : )

Zelma

[Scott Shepherd]

wouldn't you have basically the same problem though with chipping only on the backside or would it be minimized by the contact of the table surface? I've never cut it that thin.

Exactly, the table handles the bottom side, for the first cut, anyway :) It's rare that I use down cut. I'll use a straight, not not too often on the down cut.

That's also a nasty material to cut, I hate it. Makes my sinuses and eyes burn.

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

Maybe we'll try both . . . to see which works best on this. Thanks for all the replies, we will see how this turns out.