What Spoil board cutters to use and best place to buy

[chiefcnc]

Hi everyone,

Just recieved from a friend a 1.2 x 1.2 acrylic board i was going to use as a spoilboard. What is the smoothest/best finish cutter you recommend to use on acrylic.
It would also be great if same cutter had the same results on MDF spoilboards. Found these mini cutters http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6160-min...-2-design.aspx
Thanks in advance.

[ger21]

Your typical spoilboard cutter probably won't work very well with acrylic. You'll most likely get a lot of melting.

I think for acrylic, your best bet would be a 1/2" upcut spiral, probably a single flute "O" flute.

The tool you linked to will be great for MDF, though.IF you want something cheaper, just find a large 2 flute straight bit, or something like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Magnate-Surface-Planning-Bottom-Cleaning/dp/B0006B0QXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1335699447&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Magnate 2707 Surface Planning ( Bottom Cleaning ) Router Bits - 2-3/4" Cutting Diameter: Power & Hand Tools

[chiefcnc]

Thanks Gerry. At the end of the day if the cutter from amazon in link does the same job as the more expensive one in my link, it means i can spend the extra money on buying a upcut spiral for use on acrylic.
The price of end mills and spoilboard cutters by some is outrageous.
Have you used the surface planning bit from amazon and did you get good results?

[ger21]

No, I haven't tried it.

[louieatienza]

Looking at the Amazon bit, not sure how well it would perform on acrylic... The center of the bit could be a problem. I'd check out a 1-1/4" door hinge mortising bit. Wide enough, but non-center cutting which should get riid of chips easier. You'd have to ramp in however....

Have used single edge spiral-'o'-flute bits on acrylic with success (as well as other plastics and wood...)

[Enk1du]

Is there a concern for warping when you are using a plastic like acrylic as a spoilboard? With a piece as thick as the one you're planning to use I'd assume its cast and not extruded, but isn't there still a chance that there are non-uniform stresses across the thickness of the sheet?

Personally, my experience with machining acrylic has almost always been negative, so I may be biased.

edit: from the amazon link above, I saw http://www.amazon.com/Roman-Carbide-DC1261-2-Inch-Cleaning/dp/B005W18EIW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_2]this other bit. If 1.5" is enough, its 1/4 the price of the 2.75" one.