What materials can be cut with the MechMate?

[azul065]

Hi everyone, i´m very excited about this site, i want to thank all the guys who put this togheter for sharing this project, i hope to finish my MechMate in the next months. I aprecciate if someone can ask my question.

Thanks again.

[Alan_c]

Just about anything, depending on the tool and method you use to do the cutting, an easier question to answer is what do you intend to cut, or what do you need the machine to cut, then we might be able to advise the best route to follow.

[azul065]

Alan i need to cut 1/16" aluminium sheet and acrylic

[sailfl]

Genaro,

You will be fine cutting those items with a MM.

[Marc Shlaes]

J.R. and I have successfully cut:

• 1/4" and 1/2" Aluminum Plate
• Delrin
• 1/2" PVC Sheet
• 3/4" Expanded PVC Sheet
• ABS Plastic

and of course,

• MDF
• Plywood
• Solid wood

all with super results. J.R., If I fogot anything, pipe up.

[smreish]

All the stuff Marc listed plus...

• UHMW
• phenolic sheet
• cardboard - yes cardboard
• poster board
• waxed card stock
• Polyethelyne plastic sheet
• Acyrlic sheet - upto 3/4" so far.
• Polycarbonate sheet - upto 1/2" so far.
• Plastic laminate (on a core or not)

Going to try ultralight aerated concrete in a few weeks when I get a sample in! Yes boys and girls....concrete.

Gerald - did you ever think I was going to try concrete

[J.R. Hatcher]

Marc, you did forget a few things. Remember the cast iron pony clamp (would not suggest trying this, we had no success at all) and the new plenum board with the unwanted 1/2" x 1/4" plow from one side to the other, never could figure out what angle that was. Sorry, scratch the last one................ you did cover it in the MDF.

Concrete you say......................hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe we will try it after the report.

[smreish]

...oh yeah. I did cut a really nice Bessey G clamp in half the other day.
Funny thing, the machine just kept going.....badda bing.

[Gerald D]

If you are cutting concrete then you are are cutting way to deep!

What are those "solid surface" counter tops called over there?

Is Corian already on the list - we cut that here.

Yeah, cast iron clamps, and the screws used to hold the work to the spoilboard . . . . .

[J.R. Hatcher]

Over here we call those ......"solid..... surface.....counter..... tops". Sorry just couldn't help myself. How do you say what I am over there.... you know a wise 'biblical donkey'.

[Gerald D]

You know, you have an evil streak - remind me of JR Ewing in Dallas. (That was the very first soapie we had on SA TV.)

[J.R. Hatcher]

That was my father.

[azul065]

Great material list, i am impressed.

[William McGuire]

Gerald...
We use corian over here also... as well as "Corian" type substitutes, and granite, stainless steel and anything else available (my cousin made his countertops out of formed and welded steel which he powder coated and put several coats of clear finish. It matched the wood stove and heater he had previously made.

Quite an experimenter, my cousin...

[sailfl]

Bill,

Powder coated counter tops.... interesting choice of materials. I bet that scratches up nicely..... I would like to see a picture of that! Must look nice.