Table Top

[priester]

Hi, I posted this in the torchmate thread as well, but I thought I'd post it here since it isn't really specific to the torchmate. I've been lurking around on these threads since we got our machine a few months ago, but this is my first post.

My dad recently bought a torchmate 2x2, and neither of us are very experienced with CNC but we're getting better. I would like to do woodworking with it, and I have had some success so far, but I was wondering what the best table top material is? I'm doing a lot of through cutting so I've just been putting some MDF on and clamping my pieces to that, but I feel like it is creating a lot of waste because it is tough to clamp the piece except on the edge. I like using the MDF because it is cheap so I can wreck it by cutting through and just replace it, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or other table tops, etc.?

Thanks!

[LenMcC]

mdf is good spoiler board. you can run wood screws directly into if for clamping if you can't get onto edges. also might want to look at some t-slot sets. you can get them in lots of sizes shapes.

[Mike@Torchmate]

I would agree, MDF is a good spoiler board. It does get cut and eventually will need to be replaced, but it's easy on the bit and a smooth flat surface to put stuff on.

[PHSS]

we have a cnc router over in the wood shop, the teacher over there just uses finish nails to pin the corners down to his plywood top that is clamped with T-bolts to the top.