Cutting PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

[Gene8522]

I need to cut out some parts using 3/8" & 1/2" PVC ( polyvinyl chloride
)plastic. Is there an end mill made to cut PVC and what RPM & feed rate are you using?

[smreish]

Onsrud carbide down spiral bit (or compression bit). The material has a tendency to climb up off the table if you don't have vacuum. Pay attention of Climb or conventional direction of cutting small parts. They can release aggressively if your not using tabs and/or vacuum.

225-290 ipm, 11-13k (2 passes)

You can reference early in MM#5 build to see the piles of snow we once produced daily.

[Gene8522]

Onsrud carbide down spiral bit (or compression bit). The material has a tendency to climb up off the table if you don't have vacuum. Pay attention of Climb or conventional direction of cutting small parts. They can release aggressively if your not using tabs and/or vacuum.

225-290 ipm, 11-13k (2 passes)

You can reference early in MM#5 build to see the piles of snow we once produced daily.

Thanks smreish for the reply,
I will be cutting 16" and 14" circles from 3/8" PVC so I don't think they will lift off of the table. My big worry was the feed rate and RPM. I'll be sure to put in about 6 tabs.
Where do I find MM#5?

[domino11]

Have a look here. :)

I'm working on a new MM quietly in the corner #5 - Orlando. FL (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460)

[polishpickle]

I cut it all the time. My favorite bit is a single flute upcut made by Gerber.

[smreish]

Jerry - that single flute (or any single flute) is the key to PVC as I found. The bigger the chip load, the better the cut!

[litemover]

I've been using onsrud single "O" flute downcut for 3/16" and lower as it reduces the movement, and for 1/4" and higher a single flute "0" uncut spiral with tabs. BTW, a multi tool for cutting tabs is essential.

If you use a calculator for feeds and speeds, be sure to account for 1 flute instead of 2, as the speeds are half (about 42"/min at 10000rpm ish.)