waste board

[Max Richards]

I have a 4x8 Ez-Router waste boards to lay flat. I am using fiber board. I can plane it flat and the next day it is warped. Can anyone give me any help?
I need a better mouse trap.

[sploo]

Hi Max,

On my machine (approx 2'x3') I bolted a 3/4" sheet of marine ply to the table top, and surfaced it.

Into this sheet I also cut a grid of holes, so I can use bolts through to the table top (which has tapped holes).

I then take a 1/8" sheet of hardboard/MDF and cut a matching grid of holes. It's this sheet that gets used as a spoilboard - as it gets bolted flat whenever I bolt parts to the table.

The surfaced top doesn't warp, as it's bolted down, and replacing the spoilboard is trivial (because replacing it doesn't involve doing a surfacing op).

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Max Richards I have a 4x8 Ez-Router waste boards to lay flat. I am using fiber board. I can plane it flat and the next day it is warped. Can anyone give me any help? I need a better mouse trap.

Try flipping it over and surface the "skin" off the other side.

[Joe Crumley]

Max,

Over the years I've been watching several router forums and this is a continual question. I don't believe there's a single answer. It depend on what kind of hold down technique, local humidity, type of materials to be routed, etc.

I like using Melomine. This is a laminate, which means it going to be very flat. It's also smooth, almost slick, and very easy to clean. I use carpet tape to assist with plex and smooth materials. It comes right up from the Melomine when finished. I'm not fond of spending time on re-surfacing.

If you will z-zero to the table top, and not the top of the materials, the sacrifice board will last a long time.

Joe
www.normansignco.com

[cutsall]

Too little information on what you are doing with your router. What is your router table made of? How large are your vacuum pumps? How thick is your fiberboard? Is it MDF Premium or standard grade? Is it LDF? Are you running repeating parts or switching part setup often? Using 1/2 or 3/4 MDF and skin top and bottom surface then seal the edges with paint,poly or even duct tape this will create a good surface for cutting sheet goods if vacuum is adequate. If just one surface is skinned it releases the tension on one side and will accelerate curling of edges and corners. If the board will not be taken off machine and there are no clamps to hold it down place clamps around the edges at the end of the day and don't remove them until you pull vacuum the next day. There are many different solutions to any problem find one that fits and don't be afraid to experiment or to use your imagination.