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Materials for model cars?

Discussion in 'General Talk' started by jeffmorris, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. jeffmorris

    jeffmorris Journeyman
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    I have been using Baltic Birch plywood from Woodcraft for model cars but I get rough cuts and broken layers (?). I use good router bits from Tools Today store. Thin plywood may lift up during the cutting. Is using other materials like plastic be better than plywood?
     
  2. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    What thickness of plywood are you using @jeffmorris? (to give me an idea of the scale you are working to).
    I use 3mm and 6mm mdf for making model buildings to 4mm/foot scale, but upcutter end mills and router cutters leave a rough top edge with occasional chipping. I also use 1 & 1.5mm polystyrene but have to use the lowest speed and fastest feed to avoid melting.
    Alex.

    Also I use masking tape/superglue sandwich to hold down thin materials.
     
    #2 Alex Chambers, Sep 18, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2019
  3. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Have you tried basswood?
     
  4. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    sharmstr likes this.
  5. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Oh, and that bit also works great on HDPE plastic.
     
  6. jeffmorris

    jeffmorris Journeyman
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    I usually use 3mm and 6mm plywood to make model cars. I know that there are different kinds of plastic but I don't know which kind of plastic can be cut on a CNC router without any problems. The plastic sheets should be able to be glued or cemented together. I cut ABS sheets using special router bits and I can cement the parts together but I don't like the smell of plastic cement.
     
  7. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Acetone welds ABS, but it also has an odor. So, probably not much help there other than cost effectiveness and your body naturally produces enzymes to help eliminate it from your body. I cut ABS on my CNC often. It is to bad gluing HDPE is next to impossible because it cuts like butter. If someone knows a way, other than plastic welding, please let me know.
     
  8. Gary Caruso

    Gary Caruso OpenBuilds Volunteer
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    You can glue HDPE with CA glue if you flame treat the surface first.
    Wave a blowtorch flame over the surface, just fast enough to not melt it, with the flame touching the surface.
    This does some things to the surface properties and lets you glue it, also how they screen-print on HDPE.

    This is how we make airplanes out of coroplast (SPADs) which is also PE

    On the wood cutting topic, i just picked up some 1.2mm down-cut spur bits for cheap (on ebay), have not tried them yet, for cutting thin balsa and ply without 100% work hold-down.
    Will try this weekend and report.
    Cheers
    Gary
     
  9. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Thanks for the info. Now I have to try it.
     
  10. jeffmorris

    jeffmorris Journeyman
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    What about PVC expanded sheets?
     
  11. jeffmorris

    jeffmorris Journeyman
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    I think that the kind of router bits affects how plywood is cut. For thin plywood, a video suggested a straight bit instead of spiral bit.
     
  12. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    I use a straight for all wood no matter the thickness. I like the finish better due to no tear-out. As for expanded pvc, that should be easy to glue because lots of cements are available for it. I have never tried milling it, though.
     

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