Problem Cutting Thin Styrene Sheet

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Roy Smart
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:43 am

Problem Cutting Thin Styrene Sheet

Post by Roy Smart »

Hi
I am model building ships in styrene sheet 0.5mm to 2mm thickness. My problem is that whatever thickness
I am cutting the styrene sheet is melting and clogging up the tool and ruining the job. I have tried changing
the cutting and feed speeds but I can not get I right. Can anyone help? or is there a list somewhere of speeds
and feeds for various materials?
Any help would be very much appreciated
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Les Newell
Site Admin
Posts: 3661
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 8:12 pm

Re: Problem Cutting Thin Styrene Sheet

Post by Les Newell »

Styrene can be tricky. Use a single flute cutter and feed as fast as you can get away with. With higher feed rates the heat ends up more in the chips than in the work. Single flute cutters have a big gullet so there is lots of room for the chips so they are less likely to clog up. The cutters are also stronger than 2 flute so you can push them harder without breaking. If you are using a high speed spindle drop the spindle speed as far as you can. With thin sheet like this it is generally safer to cut in one pass rather than using multiple passes.

You can find smaller single flute carbide cutters on eBay quite cheap, usually in sets of 5 or 10.
Roy Smart
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:43 am

Re: Problem Cutting Thin Styrene Sheet

Post by Roy Smart »

Many thanks Les
Your solution works a treat I am not now wasting tools or material.
Best Regards
Roy
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