Routing Melamine

[Don L Johnson]

I'm getting ready to trim some melamine with a pattern bit; does that work well, or will it give me a lot of chip out? Thanks,

[Bruce Wrenn]

If you can get a pattern bit that has a spiral shear, it will do a better job. Doesn't have to be a solid carbide bit. I use a regular carbide trim bit to flush up the backs of cabinets, but chip out isn't a concern here.

[Joe Chritz]

Melamine chips when you think bad thoughts.

Try a downspiral and play with feed speed. Seems to me melamine is backwards from what you think and faster feeds do better.

Can you even get a downspiral flush trim?

ETA: Google says yes but hold on for sticker shock.

Joe