[adam_m]

I'm wanting to cut some inserts for my router table using 1/8" steel and I was wondering if anyone has had any success stories that they wouldn't mind sharing?

Like feeds and speeds, RPM's, bits used, cutting fluid used, etc.

I'm thinking 4 flute carbide bits with cutting fluid running as slowly as I can with RPM's and slow feeds...

Since these will be thin pieces I was thinking of sandwiching them to keep them from bending while cutting but uncertain at the moment.

If I had a laser that would be the ideal solution...

Adam,

[routalot]

Can you be more specific about the nature of the steel and the form of the inserts?A simple hacksaw might suffice for sheet steel.

[adam_m]

I was looking to cut something similar to what Grizzly is selling...

Attachment 476886

As for material, I need something a magnet can hold onto and with a decent finish but also easy to cut since I want to cut it on my router table.

I guess another option would be to send a drawing out and have it cut by a service but I think it will be too costly for a handful of inserts... unless anyone knows anyone that is extremely reasonable.

Adam,

[luke peter]

I a not sure what your lasercutting prices are like in the States, but a set of router table inserts like that, out of 4m steel, would probably cost me the equivalent of about $30... I would be inclined to just buy something like this though: https://www.banggood.com/Drillpro-23...0&rmmds=search.

Edit: I see you need yours to be magnetic, ignore the link above

[adam_m]

Appreciate the reply Luke Peter, if I were shopping for a laser cutter are there hobbyist (less expensive) options available than the steel mill down the street, any services on the Net anyone knows of?

Adam,

[luke peter]

I live in a pretty small town about 40mins away from a decent city (in South African terms). There are 4 laser cutters in Durban that I could use, they are "industrial", but you are quoted per part, and they will cut your parts along with a batch of everyone else that needs cuts out of that thickness of material. Have you done a google search for laser cutters in your area? Hobbyists are unlikely to have the capacity to cut steel, but you may find a CNC plasma machine in someones garage that is looking for work - In my experience though, the hobbyist will be more expensive part for part because of economies of scale.

[luke peter]

you could also cut it out of UHMWPE on your CNC, and cut pockets for something ferromagnetic to give you magnetic behavior.