# Share tips you have come across **URL:** \ **Category:** General Electronics\ **Created:** [January 4, 2017, 7:20am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745 "2017-01-04T07:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/141 "2017-02-12T21:34:15Z")
Remember, your cut velocity and tool rotational speed must be matched to the material you are working on. Too fast you may melt plastics or break a bit. Once you get things working, write down the settings for that particular environment! . ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/142 "2017-02-12T21:34:32Z")
I have been looking into options for clamping stock to the waste board. A guy in Ohio is selling 1/2" aluminum bullet with threaded holes 1" OC for $400. ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/143 "2017-02-12T21:39:58Z")
Luckily the sharpie doesn't care too much about feed and speed. Baby steps. ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/144 "2017-02-12T21:43:31Z")
I use MDF as a sacrificial board. Next, I level the surface with a 1/4 inch bit. Paint with clear lacquer, dry thoroughly. Stick a 1/8 inch sacrificial acrylic panel to the MDF using double stick tape. (replace panel as needed) Use removable double stick tape to temporarily hold the work while routing to the above acrylic panel. . ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/145 "2017-02-12T21:48:43Z")
How do you deal with dust from the mdf? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/146 "2017-02-12T21:54:38Z")
The 3/4 inch MDF is there for surface stability only. You should never cut into the MDF therefore there is no dust. At most, you cut totally through through the work piece and maybe a few thou into the sacrificial acrylic panel below. i.e. the MDF is below the sacrificial acrylic panel. ---------------------- \<-----\<\<\<\< work piece ---------------------- \<-----\<\<\<\< sacrificial acrylic panel =============== \<-----\<\<\<\< 3/4 inch sacrificial MDF panel ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/147 "2017-02-12T21:56:48Z")
How about heavier parts? ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/148 "2017-02-12T22:01:50Z")
Doesn't the leveling of the mdf make a bunch of dust? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/149 "2017-02-12T22:07:46Z")
Let's say I was carving 3/4 MDF, then I use a vacuum assembly attached around the cutter. I use a vacuum cyclone like this to get rid of the dust before it enters the vacuum cleaner. Yes levelling the MDF makes a mess, therefore you need the assembly as mentioned. . ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/150 "2017-02-12T22:41:26Z")
Why do you need to get rid of the dust before it enters the vacuum cleaner? ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/151 "2017-02-12T22:51:38Z")
Have you cut metals withit? ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/152 "2017-02-12T23:42:13Z")
I need to make two small polycarbonate parts from a 0.250" sheet. Which end mill would you use? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/153 "2017-02-13T00:06:21Z")
The dust is so fine it plugs the vacuum bag very quickly. If you don't mind replacing bags then you do not need the cyclone. Since buying the cyclone, I have not had to replace a vacuum bag. . ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/154 "2017-02-13T00:12:45Z")
I have done some aluminum and diamond dragging on brass and glass. Mainly cut plastics and wood. > TKall: > I need to make two small polycarbonate parts from a 0.250" sheet. Which end mill would you use? Make sure you take the radius of the bit into consideration. 😉 If you need 90 degree edges, use something like this: ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/155 "2017-02-13T00:13:53Z")
Thanks Larry. ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/156 "2017-02-13T00:14:36Z")
I appreciate the good advice. ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/157 "2017-02-13T00:17:08Z")
Are those 4 flute? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/158 "2017-02-13T00:22:20Z")
> TKall: > Are those 4 flute? Yes but two or three would work too. . ---
**Author:** ![TKall](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tkall/32/218283_2.png) [@TKall](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TKall)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/159 "2017-02-13T00:40:38Z")
> Make sure you take the radius of the bit into consideration/quote] > > Is this handled in the machine software with end mill selection and offset? I don't have to draw the part differently, do I? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/160 "2017-02-13T00:53:01Z")
I do everything with AutoCAD so I have to take cutting bit diameters into consideration in my head/drawing. ☹ . [Previous page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745.md?page=7) [Next page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745.md?page=9)