开云体育

I have machined a lot of plastic.? I favor HSS tools that are VERY sharp.

I also keep a diamond hand hone at the ready to further sharpen a bit after grinding, and to touch up the edge from time to time when turning.? I feel using the hone is a key to success.? It is important to have a very sharp tool bit.

Plastics can contain a lot of impurities causing them to be somewhat abrasive and dull a tool bit faster than even cutting metal.? Sometimes the bit dulls much faster.? That will make problems as you want a very sharp tool bit.? So, check sharpness often.

Watch out for too much speed and too much heat.? And watch out for too much feed rate or the tool bit might just dig in and jam or tear the part loose.

Did I mention that you want a very sharp tool bit?

Be careful that the tool grind shape doesn't cause stringy chips that can get caught between the face of the tool and the workpiece and mashed back onto the surface.? If this happens, they can get sort of welded back on to the surface.? (Stringy chips are a dangerous practice in any case.)

Practice a little if you have material to spare for that.? You could also practice on something else, like cheap PVC pipe, although it probably won't behave exactly like Plexiglas.

Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer