1/8" Ply

[philspitler]

Hi, I am somewhat of a noobie here, I have done plenty of CNC work on 1" and 1/2" Plywood but next up is cutting some 1/8".

I have a few questions.

I plan on using an 1/8" bit to cut as I need some 1/8" slots. For speed and feed I'm thinking 14000 rpm and 1 IPS.

I'm unsure which bit to use, I'm thinking one of these would work.

http://www.amazon.com/Yonico-32210-SC-Router-Carbide-8-Inch/dp/B00KZM3F1E/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1415148097&sr=1-2&keywords=down+cut+cnc


http://www.amazon.com/Yonico-31210-SC-Router-Carbide-8-Inch/dp/B00L3AV0ZK/ref=sr_1_2?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1415147982&sr=1-2&keywords=router+bits+1%2F8


I was thinking of doing 2 passes, each of 1/16"

Curious what you guys think to my plan.

Thanks.

Phil

[Ger21]

I'd try 2-3ips if doing 2 passes.

I've been trying a Yonico bit for cutting dovetails and box joints, and it's been a great bit for the money.

[srwtlc]

I have cut quite a bit of 1/8" baltic birch and really like the upcut and downcut end mills from this eBay store (http://stores.ebay.com/CARBIDE-PLUS/Carbide-Endmills-/_i.html?_nkw=1%2F8%22+end+mill&submit=Search&_fsub=2&_sid=2877033). Prices are good too.

12000-14000 rpm @ 2-3 ips/2 passes Small parts slower at 1-1.5 ips.

[scottp55]

Second Scott W's recommendation if he's had good luck in ply. Use his 1"CEL .125"4f Kyocera upcut for months now as a cutout bit to reduce waste in tight spots. Teak,B.Walnut,Cherry,Sugar Maple doesn't seem to matter at 2.2-2.6, 10.5K at 1/16" pass depth. As Scott said his prices are great and he's always fast shipping so far.

[knight_toolworks]

How large are the parts? myself either a 1/8" downcut if they are somewhat large but I like to use a 1/16" downcut single pass 1ips this keeps all the parts in place and I can cut very small parts out like the one below. I cut 10s of thousands of these with 1/16" bit. I can cut 15 or more hours in Baltic Birch plywood before the 10.00 bit breaks. change that to about 100,000
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/A6FD7E50-778B-4098-8944-C41A05E9E5FC_zpsk4dtn7fd.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/A6FD7E50-778B-4098-8944-C41A05E9E5FC_zpsk4dtn7fd.jpg.html)

[philspitler]

Thanks for the tips and advice, I looked on the eBay store and couldn't see if the bits were up or down cut.

I was told that downcut would be better for me, any idea which bit from the ebay store would work?

Thanks again.

Phil

[scottp55]

Phil, Unless he mentions "Downcut" they are all RightHand helix.
Not sure if this is the one to use for ply, but have used it's RH brother with good luck on most hardwoods, and more recently on Cork where it gave a much more expensive bit a run for it's money.
If you look at at the cutting edge and imagine it spinning, you can see how the cutting edge would engage the top of the material first, and cut bottom last.
Haven't tried his Downs yet, but good luck with all others.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-1250-CARBIDE-2-FLUTE-ENDMILLS-DOWN-CUT-FOR-SOFT-PLASTIC-/151459223398?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2343ac5766

[knight_toolworks]

I have used this for many hours of cutting and for the price can't be beat
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-16-0625-CARBIDE-2-FLUTE-ENDMILLS-SOFT-PLASTIC-Kyocera-Tycom-/380715942183?hash=item58a4704127

[philspitler]

Both of these bits say they are for soft plastic, will they be ok for plywood too?

Thanks.

Phil

[chiloquinruss]

One more tiny tidbit! Turn OFF your dust collector when doing small parts! Don't ask! :D Russ

[knight_toolworks]

Both of these bits say they are for soft plastic, will they be ok for plywood too?

Thanks.

Phil
I cut Baltic birch plywood for 15 hours or more with one of those bits. single pass 1ips. I have cut at least 50,000 parts with that bit and another brand.

[scottp55]

Thanks Steve. Just going through my scrap bin and you saved me a test:)

[srwtlc]

Use them on ply, veneered MDF, and solid wood with no issues....unless you push them to fast and/or they get worn out.