Router Bit Selection Help

[djsting]

Ok I found the references here to MLCS for the T-Molding bit but am not sure I'm looking at the right one.  Here's the link http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html#Anchor%20slotct3w and the item # I'm looking at is 5341 or 7641.  Are these the right ones?

Also I need a bit to cut my lexan.  I have been told by the guy at Home Depot to get a laminate cutting bit.  What suggestions do you guys have?  A part number from MLCS would be great!!

[u_rebelscum]

Ok I found the references here to MLCS for the T-Molding bit but am not sure I'm looking at the right one.  Here's the link http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html#Anchor%20slotct3w and the item # I'm looking at is 5341 or 7641.  Are these the right ones?

Yes.  Most routers are 1/4" shank, although the big routers are 1/2" shank and the good ones do both.  I'd get the #5341, myself.

Also I need a bit to cut my lexan.  I have been told by the guy at Home Depot to get a laminate cutting bit.  What suggestions do you guys have?  A part number from MLCS would be great!!

Flush tirm

[djsting]

Great!  Now I know that I was looking at the right one for the T-molding.

I feel kinda stupid asking for so much help on this but I just want to make sure that I get the right bits.  A flush trim bit will be the right bit to cut Lexan?  I know how fast a router spins so is the only tip to go SLOW to avoid melting it?  Any help on this one would be great!!

[Wienerdog]

I know how fast a router spins so is the only tip to go SLOW to avoid melting it?  Any help on this one would be great!!

I haven't cut Lexan before, but I imagine you go slow to avoid chipping or breaking the Lexan.  To avoid melting, you want to make sure you don't go TOO slow.

[AlanS17]

Well melting will occur regardless. No matter how fast or slow you go, the tip will heat up with friction. Going slow would obviously give more control, but going faster may give a cleaner cut. I've never done it so I couldn't say...

Oh by the way... Lexan is NOT like plexi... it won't "chip or break". Take a spare piece, set it on your garage floor, and hit it as hard as you can with a hammer. You'll see what I mean. The stuff drills and cuts without breaking. The only thing to be careful of is the melting. I haven't figured a way around that yet. But on a nice note, you can sand the edges when you're done so if you cut it with maybe a 1/8 extra around the edge you can sand it down to the right size. At lest, that's what I did. Also I've heard that sandwiching the Lexan can avoid the burrs you get from melting, but I've never tried it

Oh and I don't forget the eye protection. Those little flying pieces of plastic are molten hot and they sting the skin when they touch. Imagine how that feels in your eye.

[mpm32]

I've routed lexan a lot and, it doesn't melt when routing.  Plexi will melt a little but only in the from of the chips sticking to the fresh cut edge.  Easily brushed off.