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Can you route Lexan?
Brax:
You use a straight bit made for templates. It has a bearing at the top of the bit that will guide you around your control panel with the precut holes.
OSCAR:
See http://www.skum.org/bartop/construction.htm for some pics. I drill the holes in the cp first, then use those holes as a template for the plexi/lexan.
pmc:
--- Quote from: Brax on June 02, 2003, 12:39:22 pm ---You use a straight bit made for templates. It has a bearing at the top of the bit that will guide you around your control panel with the precut holes.
--- End quote ---
OK. I have a 1/2" shank with a ball bearing roller. So I buy a straight cutting bit, clamp the lexan to the bottom of the CP, and then plunge through the existing holes and into the lexan. The bearing rolls around the bottom edge of the button holes while the cutter removes the lexan below that. Correct?
But Oscar says:
--- Quote ---See http://www.skum.org/bartop/construction.htm for some pics. I drill the holes in the cp first, then use those holes as a template for the plexi/lexan.
--- End quote ---
Those pics show the lexan on top. How can the CP holes function as a template if the template is on the bottom? I'm not understanding this variant. I (obviously) have only owned a router for a week now so it's just not obvious to me.
I'm buying the lexan today, but I won't install it until I get the artwork figured out. I'll certainly plan on using my router to cut the holes as it seems like it'll work great.
How do you clean up burrs?
u_rebelscum:
--- Quote from: pmc on June 02, 2003, 04:44:34 pm ---
--- Quote from: Brax on June 02, 2003, 12:39:22 pm ---You use a straight bit made for templates. It has a bearing at the top of the bit that will guide you around your control panel with the precut holes.
--- End quote ---
OK. I have a 1/2" shank with a ball bearing roller. So I buy a straight cutting bit, clamp the lexan to the bottom of the CP, and then plunge through the existing holes and into the lexan. The bearing rolls around the bottom edge of the button holes while the cutter removes the lexan below that. Correct?
But Oscar says:
--- Quote ---See http://www.skum.org/bartop/construction.htm for some pics. I drill the holes in the cp first, then use those holes as a template for the plexi/lexan.
--- End quote ---
Those pics show the lexan on top. How can the CP holes function as a template if the template is on the bottom? I'm not understanding this variant. I (obviously) have only owned a router for a week now so it's just not obvious to me.
--- End quote ---
Some bits have the bearing above the "blades", some have it below. The ones above are usually a little more expensive since you can still plunge route with them.
With the ones with the bearing below, you need to pre-drill a hole large enough for the bit to fit through. The router will slide on top of the lexan this way, so watch out for scratching it. :-\ I advise the one with the bearing on top because of the chance of scratching.
VMJ Team:
Another note...note too much of a chance of this happening, but I managed to do so on one of piece....keep the router moving, (there is a suggested rate-feed for plastics, but don't know it off the top of my head)...I was taking my time around an edge to make sure it was nice and square and the bit generated enough heat in that spot to warp (melt) the plexi....