cnc router some parts from apple ply (a type of baltic birch)

Hi, we use some parts made from apple ply, a type of baltic birch with inner plies made from birch and a maple ply surface.

Most of our parts are either 15 or 6 to a sheet of 18mm thick x 4x8 material.

We can supply drawings in autocad format, but some cleanup is required as my son only has taken 1 course in autocad so far.

All of the cutting results in 100 % cut through, so no 3d carving. Really just 2.5D stuff. If you have an auto tool changer, it might make sense to consider also having you router some 1/8 round edges and drill a few holes.

Up to now, we have been using templates, a hand router, and a drill press to make the parts, but I would like to outsource as much as possible of our standard parts.

Our volumes are not large - 1 - 4 sheets of material per month.

One thing that I can tell you is that this material likes to burn the edges, so it takes very sharp bits to do the work, and I am very interested in having as clean of edges / minimal sanding as possible.

I am looking for someone with a very sold, rigid, machine that can handle a 4x8 sheet in one loading.

Honestly I am more focused on performance than price on these parts, as the result of imperfect machining is a lot of sanding for us and I don't like sanding parts.

We are near Livermore CA and my preference is to find a shop to work with that is within 500 miles or so, and I can visit to look at the equipment and results.

Thanks

Harry N.

hi, this is Joel Hofer, i see u posted a while ago looking for some parts cut out of apple ply, did you get somebody to do this for you yet?

Thanks Joel, short term I am making the parts with a table saw, hand router and drill press.

Volume is still 1 - 4 each 4x8 sheets per month.

Really would like to have someone make these parts on a cnc couter and provide very smooth, well cut edges that need minimal / zero sanding.

At least with a hand router and a 1/2 inch, 3 blade whiteside bit, the cutting speed for this material is around 1 inch / second to get a nice finish and no burning.

I don't mind stretching the distance some but there are practical limits to shipping plywood parts.

I have a guy that uses 400 grit wet / dry on the edges and faces now prior to us finishing them.

What I am looking for is someone that will provide really professional results, not just cut as fast as the machine can go.

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Really would like to have someone make these parts on a cnc router and provide very smooth, well cut edges that need minimal / zero sanding.

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You'll never get "zero sanding". Due to the nature of the plywood, with alternating grain, the different layers cut differently. A saw blade makes a much smoother cut on baltic birch than a router.

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Originally Posted by ger21

You'll never get "zero sanding". Due to the nature of the plywood, with alternating grain, the different layers cut differently. A saw blade makes a much smoother cut on baltic birch than a router.

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I agree on the table saw making nicer edges. As a practical matter, it would be fairly difficult to cut these shapes with only a table saw as virtually all of the edges are either 1/2 inch or 1/8 inch rounded over. All "corners" are rounded.

Some sanding will probably be required, but I want to absolutely minimize it.

We currently use a table saw to cut out the major shape and use a band saw, templates, and routers to complete the job. A local cabinet maker makes some of them, and I make some of them. When the real pro does the work, they come out nearly burn free. When his helper does the work, we get burned edges. After some experiments, I can really tell that it is quite sensitive to having very sharp blades and always moving that bit at the right speed. I am hoping that having the work done on a cnc will make this all easier - and I have other work that needs to be done.

Not to jump in here but I have a CNC router with a 12 station tool changer in California, that,s available If you are interested... I also have a new CNC Haas V2 coming in a month, if you need some precise metal parts made...
If you still require these services, let me know if not have a great week...

Thanks,
Charlie

Thanks Machinster, Yes I am interested and sent a private message. Please call or email at your convenience.