Routing 1/2" Acrylic

[sleepy]

Anyone have any idea on speeds and feed rates for 1/2" acrylic I will be using an 1/8" end mill bit.
Thanks
Sleepy

[Brady Watson]

David,
I wouldn't advise using an 1/8" bit on 1/2" material. You will not get sufficient chip removal and the chips will be rewelded to the workpiece. The problem with an 1/8" bit is, you can't cut 1/2" @ full depth because it will flex or break...and chip extraction is not so good. Stepping the bit down will still give you a very rough finish with both chips melting and lines from the step down.

At a minimum, try using a 1/4" straight or upcut spiral, 10-13,000 rpm @ 1.5 IPS in 2 passes.

[joe]

Dave,

I think Brady and I have the same question. What are you wanting to do with a 1/8" bit on 1/2' plex?

Joe

[kerrazy]

David,
I use an onsrud 1/8 inch bit for acrylic all the time. But... It is specific for the material, Acrylic comes in two common forms Cast or Extruded, and the end mill design must reflect the material you are cutting.

as for feeds and speeds, I will set my router at about 13000 RPM and cut @ .70 in/secand do 3 passes leaving some material and then do A finish pass a fraction of an inch smaller about.005 that will clean up my edges from the multiple passes.
Using this process I can get really clean edges that will compare to any big shop using laser.

Dale