Chipping out baltic birch

[davidallen]

I'm routing a line pattern in some baltic birch and am having some trouble where lines come together at a sharp point. almost 1/3 are losing a chip of the laminate at the point.

any hints on how to prevent this? the pieces need to remain unfinished so the end user can finish as desired.

tia

da

[billp]

David,
How about placing some kind of tape over the projected areas where the lines would be cut. You could draw the lines lightly in pencil, and then use a clear packing tape, or even just some masking tape to minimize the tear out..Bill P.

[gerald_d]

Don't know how deep you are routing, but the chipping problem depends on how deep the first cut is. Can you start off less deep?

Changing the direction of cut may help you, depending on the pattern.

Sharp down cutters are always better than blunt up cutters . . .

Etc.

Etc.

[kerrazy]

Also, ensure you start your cut along a side rather than at a corner. This may help, and echoing Gerald using a sharp down cut bit will produce the results you are looking for.
Dale