Feeds and Speeds help

For 3/4" plywood, I use a 2-flute, 3/8" compression bit, 19,000 rpm, ~150 ipm. I do two passes - one climb cut, almost full-depth (leaving a thin onion-skin to help with vacuum hold-down), followed by another full-depth conventional cut. The climb cut is good for hogging out a lot of material, as any machine deflection will move the bit away from the cut line. The very light conventional-cut pass takes care of the material left from that deflection, and leaves a very nice edge on plywood.

I could probably double that feedrate and still be ok, but plywood jobs are usually one-off's' for me, so I'm not in a hurry. This is with a 5hp spindle.

 

You might want to try the free trial version of speeds and feeds calculator at www.cnccookbook.com

 

Wesley,

Do you still need help with feeds and speed for your router? I work for a tool mfg and can would like to help. https://www.xedgetools.com/x-edge-store/ROUTER-BITS-c49357169

What size is your spindle and do you have a tool changer?

Best regards,

Josh

 

Wesley,

I would use a 1/4" or 3/8" compression bit. This will give you a clean top and bottom finish. The thing with compression bit is that you have to run it at a high feed rate so tool does not get hot. When the tool gets hot it will dull quickly. What tools do you have? How thick is your maple plywood?

Josh

 

I can give you the info for our tool that is comparable. With router your size run the 1/4" compression bit 20,000 RPM at 250 IPM, 2 passes, conventional cut. Hope this helps.

Josh