I built a CNC router shown at https://openbuilds.com/threads/my-new-cnc-router.11851/ I'm using 1/8" end mills/router bits. What are the best wood and plastic for my machine? I would like to create signs and models of vehicles such as the ones at Cars | Vehicles
The question you should be asking is: what wood would provide the correct characteristics for the particular task at hand? There is no such thing as one size fits all. For the puzzle, you need something hard, uniform, and relatively dense. That eliminates MDF and cheap ply. Basswood or a good ply may work. There is another issue. If you use an 1/8" end mill, you'll have to do a ton of clean up. Not only that, but an 1/8" more than likely exceeds the slot width. You should look into a 1/16" (~1.6mm) or even smaller if you don't want to post process with a tiny file. You'll want a solid wood for the sign. Cutting plastics also requires a lot more experience and effort than wood. Acrylic and HDPE are good starters. If you don't know how to adjust, you'll just melt everything.
