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pinantanjohn · 04-01-2008, 01:58 AM

Far out...

That's a nice piece of work... Bravo.

I'll bet that acrylic really stunk when you were cutting it.

I'm a toolmaker and if I may, for anyone out there that is going to cut acrylic with power tools, use coolant. Especially with a "milling" operation as shown above with the drill press ( a router table works too and is a bit safer). Just flood the groove and have at 'er. Tablesaws or router tables are a little tough, in that case, a bit of bar soap on the blade or cutter will help immensely.
Water is fine but you will need to clean the tools carefully after. The coolant will reduce the burring of the cut and the galling (plugging up) of the tools. It's rather dangerous with high speed tools. If the tool galls (re melts to the tool) and the material grabs it WILL rip the work right out of your hand.

For acrylic... mix in proportion 1 liter water, 1 teaspoon dishsoap, 3 teaspoons mineral oil ( the oil will help reduce rust). should be a little "milky".

For aluminum... Believe it or not, WD40 is the best to use for alu. Don't need much, just a squirt. You will be amazed how well it works. I know that there probably won't be many that are cutting alu. but it can melt in a tablesaw or router really easily. It's fairly dangerous to have it grab the blade and spit the work back at you.

Drilling steel... a dab of motor oil (not the best but it works and most people have it). Let it smoke, that means it's pulling out the heat. When it stops smoking put in another dab.

04-01-2008, 01:58 AM	#36 (permalink)
pinantanjohn Fire Coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: DIY Beckett Skimmer Far out... That's a nice piece of work... Bravo. I'll bet that acrylic really stunk when you were cutting it. I'm a toolmaker and if I may, for anyone out there that is going to cut acrylic with power tools, use coolant. Especially with a "milling" operation as shown above with the drill press ( a router table works too and is a bit safer). Just flood the groove and have at 'er. Tablesaws or router tables are a little tough, in that case, a bit of bar soap on the blade or cutter will help immensely. Water is fine but you will need to clean the tools carefully after. The coolant will reduce the burring of the cut and the galling (plugging up) of the tools. It's rather dangerous with high speed tools. If the tool galls (re melts to the tool) and the material grabs it WILL rip the work right out of your hand. For acrylic... mix in proportion 1 liter water, 1 teaspoon dishsoap, 3 teaspoons mineral oil ( the oil will help reduce rust). should be a little "milky". For aluminum... Believe it or not, WD40 is the best to use for alu. Don't need much, just a squirt. You will be amazed how well it works. I know that there probably won't be many that are cutting alu. but it can melt in a tablesaw or router really easily. It's fairly dangerous to have it grab the blade and spit the work back at you. Drilling steel... a dab of motor oil (not the best but it works and most people have it). Let it smoke, that means it's pulling out the heat. When it stops smoking put in another dab.