Cutting UHMW

[Tom Bachman]

Well, has anyone cut this successfully? I've tried cutting it with a table saw, with mixed results. Now I've got a small local butcher shop that needs some specialty items cut from it.

Any hints, suggestions or tips, like bits, cutting speeds, motor RPMs and such? It's pretty expensive material to screw up.

[gundog]

What thickness are you cutting? How do you plan to hold it? I cut a fair amount of 1.25"- 2" thick using onsrud single flute bits it does not finish as nice as other plastics I cut. I would use HDPE it cuts better than UHMW. UHMW is great for wear applications but cutting boards are generally cut from HDPE.

Mike

[knight_toolworks]

plus hdpe needs a textured face to use as a cutting board or food slides off of it.

[Tom Bachman]

The thickness are 1/2, 3/4 and 1" Initially they are making mold press pieces

[knight_toolworks]

I think the hdpe costs less and it is harder too easier to cut.