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kmdsouza · 03-27-2007, 02:41 PM

Hi,

Is plywood ok to work with a router? Or does it chip when worked on? Is MDF better to work with? Or Ply?

**bobj3** · 03-27-2007, 03:04 PM

Hi kmdsouza

The normal Plywood can be nasty to rework with the router, brich plywood reworks well, plywood as you know as layers of wood and when you route it you are working with the grain and against the grain and it will chip out, MDF works well but it's just saw dust glued up as a board and is hard on the bits.

I like to use MDF, it's true (i.e. 3/4" is 3/4" unlike plywood ) and will come out clean on the cuts but it must be painted most of the time (called sign board sometimes ) or a seal job, because it will pickup moisture like a sponge and should Not be used for outdoor projects.

Just my 2 cents.
Bj

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmdsouza

Hi,

Is plywood ok to work with a router? Or does it chip when worked on? Is MDF better to work with? Or Ply?

kmdsouza · 03-27-2007, 03:48 PM

does it get worse with hdf?

**bobj3** · 03-27-2007, 04:14 PM

Sorry Not to sure what "hdf" is

Bj

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmdsouza

does it get worse with hdf?

kmdsouza · 03-27-2007, 04:24 PM

high density fiberboard - hdf
like medium density fiberboard - mdf

**bobj3** · 03-27-2007, 05:42 PM

Hi
Now I know what you are talking about, sometimes call hardboard a real router bit killer

Sold in 1/8" to 1/4" thick the norm with or without holes for hanging tools on.

About the same for floor laminate stock, a real bit killer also, construct from layers of material bonded together with resin glue the norm.

Bj

**Mike** · 03-27-2007, 08:46 PM

KM, you might like the most recent post in my blog. It is about bits and addresses some of your questions. You can view it by clicking here: http://blogs.routerforums.com/Mike/

Joe Lyddon · 03-30-2007, 12:13 PM

I've had pretty good luck routing plywood... cabinet grade ply... NOT the borg ply!
... for basically dados & rabbets... nothing fancy...

**challagan** · 03-30-2007, 12:32 PM

You can do dados and rebates fine in most plywoods but for edge details it is fairly problematic. MDF and substrates like that are definitely bit killers like bj says but they will rout ok otherwise.

Corey

03-27-2007, 02:41 PM	#1
kmdsouza Registered User New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 6 View kmdsouza's Gallery	Report This Post! Routing Plywood Hi, Is plywood ok to work with a router? Or does it chip when worked on? Is MDF better to work with? Or Ply?
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03-27-2007, 03:48 PM	#3
kmdsouza Registered User New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 6 View kmdsouza's Gallery	Report This Post! does it get worse with hdf?
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03-27-2007, 04:24 PM	#5
kmdsouza Registered User New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 6 View kmdsouza's Gallery	Report This Post! high density fiberboard - hdf like medium density fiberboard - mdf
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03-27-2007, 05:42 PM	#6
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,263 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Now I know what you are talking about, sometimes call hardboard a real router bit killer Sold in 1/8" to 1/4" thick the norm with or without holes for hanging tools on. About the same for floor laminate stock, a real bit killer also, construct from layers of material bonded together with resin glue the norm. Bj __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J. Last edited by bobj3; 03-28-2007 at 11:48 AM.
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03-27-2007, 08:46 PM	#7
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,372 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! KM, you might like the most recent post in my blog. It is about bits and addresses some of your questions. You can view it by clicking here: http://blogs.routerforums.com/Mike/ __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you.
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03-30-2007, 12:13 PM	#8
Joe Lyddon Banned Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alta Loma, CA USA Posts: 2,168 View Joe Lyddon's Gallery	Report This Post! I've had pretty good luck routing plywood... cabinet grade ply... NOT the borg ply! ... for basically dados & rabbets... nothing fancy...
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03-30-2007, 12:32 PM	#9
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! You can do dados and rebates fine in most plywoods but for edge details it is fairly problematic. MDF and substrates like that are definitely bit killers like bj says but they will rout ok otherwise. Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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