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Forum topic by DIYWaterDog | posted 02-15-2018 02:12 PM | 1354 views | 0 times favorited | 10 replies | ![]() |
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02-15-2018 02:12 PM |
Hey All, Understand I am a hobbies/diyer. I have just begun to dabble with plunge routing to make some fun signs. All of my work has been in solid wood and not yet plywood. So far just old salvaged wood planking. Free is for Me! While solid wood is probably preferred, would plywood provide the same results or should I stay away from plywood. Just not sure how plywood will react to being plunge routed with a straight bit, since essentially plywood is layers of wood glued together. How about the edges of plywood with a more rounded or decorative bit? Any advice on how to best approach plywood would be appreciated. I am using the makita colt palm router. Usually with a 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch straight bit.. Thanks, TRU -- Why pay somebody when you can DIY?!? |
10 replies so far
#1 posted 02-15-2018 02:24 PM |
Use sharp bits and let us know how it goes -- Bruce, Boise, ID |
#2 posted 02-15-2018 02:41 PM |
Any advice on speed? My concern with it being plywood would be the splintering of the top layer. TRU -- Why pay somebody when you can DIY?!? |
#3 posted 02-15-2018 02:48 PM |
be aware that the cheaper plywoods have voids in the inner plies. if you need bigger stock for your projects, I would suggest gluing up panels the size you need. good luck !! -- I am a painter. That's what I do. I paint things -- |
#4 posted 02-15-2018 03:52 PM |
invest in some Whiteside compression bits, they are both a up and down cut, and cut a super nice line in about anything, not cheap but really do a super job… my .02 |
#5 posted 02-15-2018 04:21 PM |
Thank you! Excellent advice on the adhesives. Something I did not think about. What I have is a 4×4 remnant of furniture grade plywood with finish sanded sides. Was going to use it to make a rather large sign. After thinking about the risk of adhesive dust, think it might be best to use it in another way. Thanks! TRU
-- Why pay somebody when you can DIY?!? |
#6 posted 02-15-2018 04:29 PM |
I would recommend Arauco ply as the face veneer is 1/8” for 19/32 and 23/32 thick stock and 5 and 9 ply respectively. Baltic birch is recommended as well. |
#7 posted 02-15-2018 09:06 PM |
A couple of comments as I’ve done some testing of different bit styles doing pocket routing in a few different plywood and MDF types with different bits. The compression spiral is a good bit if you are cutting completely through the plywood as the compression spiral acts as an upcut on the end and a down cut on the top, basically shearing towards the material in both cases. For relatively shallow inlay, I recommend a downcut spiral to give the cleanest top surface and fairly minimal fuzz along the cut wall. Mike -- No honey, that's not new, I've had that forever...... |
#8 posted 02-16-2018 05:05 AM |
Charles is giving good advice but if you are not doing deep through cuts, a downcut spiral will work about as well and is a lot cheaper. I use both on my CNC router on a regular basis. My preference is also Whiteside bits. |
#9 posted 02-19-2018 11:52 PM |
Like everyone knows plywood has a ton of glue in it so it really dulls bits quickly. So either carbide down cut bit or compression like Charles said which cuts really cleanly to, Down cut bit cuts the outside edges really good but it leaves the dust in the area. The Up cut bits take the chips out but leaves a rough edges around the cut. HSS bits do pretty well but they will dull pretty quick with the glue in plywood hince Carbide. -- It is always the right time, to do the right thing. |
#10 posted 02-20-2018 01:01 AM |
Plywood can certainly be routered. Done all the time. But quality bits make a big difference. For your project, a downcut bit is what you need. You can lose some control of the router when you encounter an air pocket or void, and that can totally muck up the final product. And its possible that the void is quite visible when you’re finished, and the voids would need to be filled to look right. So buy a piece of quality plywood that is doesn’t have voids if you can. |
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