Cutting p-tex with a CNC

[123mardog]

Does any body have advice on spindle speed, feed rate, and type of bit for cutting p-tex with a CNC router? Thanks!

[Head Monkey]

I run a 0.250” straight two flute carbide cutter at 23,000rpm at a feed rate of 50ipm. Works great. Do not use an up-cut spiral bit, for the love of all that is good and pure! I understand that I’ll get a better finish with a single flute bit, but I’ve never tried it… the two flute requires a little cleanup, but so little that I’ve never bothered to try anything different. Oh, and dedicate a bit just for base material… it will stay sharp pretty much forever.

[kelvin]

I use a .25" 2 flute spiral down cut bit at about 15,000 rpm and cutting at 120 ipm. It requires just a little cleaning up after cutting.

As Mike said, avoid up cut bits.

-kelvin

[endre]

I use a straight 2flute 4mm bit, 18000rpm, I have built a roller hold-down, (two steel rollers on each side of the spindle, connected to the bridge) works great even for stiff, bulky and thick bases.
like this (Y= the spindle, O=the rollers):

oYo

no afterwork