Router+Micarta==??

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
283
Does Micarta on a router table == a smoked bit or will it work? I figure someone here has tried it. I don't have access to a mill or that would be my first choice...

I'd like to take about 1/16" out of a pair of 3/8" slabs so a 1/8" blade tang will fit in. I did it once before with wood by hand (files, drum sander in the drill press, etc.), and once was enough!

I have paper and linen Micarta, and I figure paper would be the easiest on the bit. It is a Sears Craftsman carbide bit, bit I figure with these RPM's it might still bust things up. Micarta is sure tough...

My goal is a stainless and Micarta version of one of my previous works with the half tang down the back and I'd like to streamline the cutting of the slot in the 2 slabs:

IMG_0643_edited.jpg
 
I've used router bits in a drill press to route out trenches in micarta scales for mortice tangs. It works good but you have to get the speed right (faster than drilling steel but slower than drilling wood) and take the material off thin passes.

I think a router will be too fast.

Kevin
 
I have used a router with carbide bits to router out micarta it works fine. I clamped my linen micarta in my post vise and cut the tang slots for a split handle hidden tang.

Bob
 
Micarta routes fine. Like anything else, if you bind it or dwell, you'll get smoke. Larger bits are less forgiving in this respect. If you do get smoke, I wouldn't stand there and breath a bunch of it. And I'd suggest wearing a dust mask regardless.

So far, in my experience, routers are good for about anything this side of aluminum except PVC (because of the corrosive fumes when hot). You just need to take a shallow enough cut that you can maintain a brisk feed rate.
 
my father in law used to use a 1/4" 4 flute end mill in his router to cut laminated counter tops. It worked great.

Ric
 
a long time ago I tried a router with a HSS bit. I got it too hot and could feel the router slow down as the bit dulled over a few inches of travel. It just went dull and smoked the material after that. It was pure operator error. I switched to my mini-mill and a lot slower speeds and feeds and it worked fine.
 
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