Larry Edgerton
07-02-2017, 12:53 PM
I had posted a couple of years ago about trying to make plugs for cellular plastic. My best attempt was using liquid nitrogen spraying on the bit/plastic but any other method was causing melting. I was on the Versatec board at the time and they had not come up with a solution yet.
So...... Today I am working in the shop making something out of Versatec that has to be screwed together and I had an idea. When I tried before I had a woodworking drill press, can't remember the lowest speed, but it was too fast. I had since bought a Clausing drill press made for metal that goes down to 150 rpm, and down to 75rpm if I use the VFD. So I tried it. It works, even at 150 rpm. As a bonus they come out just a hair over the given cutter so make a nice snug fit with no glue. I tried 3/8, then tried a 1" using a cutter from Veritas, both worked perfectly. You do have to clear the chips a couple of times, but I have a foot operated air blower that took care of that part handily. I did them on the edge of a board and sliced them off with the tablesaw.
The old drill press was just too fast.
I know some of you guys work with the material so thought I would pass this along....
Larry
So...... Today I am working in the shop making something out of Versatec that has to be screwed together and I had an idea. When I tried before I had a woodworking drill press, can't remember the lowest speed, but it was too fast. I had since bought a Clausing drill press made for metal that goes down to 150 rpm, and down to 75rpm if I use the VFD. So I tried it. It works, even at 150 rpm. As a bonus they come out just a hair over the given cutter so make a nice snug fit with no glue. I tried 3/8, then tried a 1" using a cutter from Veritas, both worked perfectly. You do have to clear the chips a couple of times, but I have a foot operated air blower that took care of that part handily. I did them on the edge of a board and sliced them off with the tablesaw.
The old drill press was just too fast.
I know some of you guys work with the material so thought I would pass this along....
Larry