Using plates made out of plywood temporarily?

[reefy86]

I'm guessing accuracy would be way off but just a curiosity is it possible to make the plates out of plywood to get the machine up and running and then cut the plates using that machine one aluminium? Probably a stupid question to ask but just wanted to see if it can be done.

[JAZZCNC]

Yes, it's been done many times before, just make the temporary plates thicker and stronger than needed.

However, the price of plywood has also gone through the roof so you'll find it's cheaper to just have the plates machined for you.!

[reefy86]

Yeah but surely aluminium plates are atleast 2,3,4 x the price of plywood?

[JAZZCNC]

Yeah but surely aluminium plates are atleast 2,3,4 x the price of plywood?

Depends on the size of the plate but the point was you'll be paying a lot of money for the plywood so why not put that towards the machining costs as you'll still be paying for the plate anyway.!

[reefy86]

True, do you guys rely on each other here for machined plates or any recommendations?

[JAZZCNC]

True, do you guys rely on each other here for machined plates or any recommendations?

Many put up an RFQ and someone will give you a price.

[Kitwn]

I used plywood to mock up my Z axis before committing to cutting the more expensive aluminium plate. As I didn't actually have a source for the required plate at the time, the plywood version did some useful work over several months.

Kit

[routerdriver]

The de Havilland Mosquito had two Rolls-Royce Merlins hung on a wooden structure and worked quite well.Like any other material,wood needs a designer that understands how best to use it's properties.The best places to seek out advice on how to use plywood would probably be forums dedicated to building light aircraft or boats.

[routercnc]

My first machine used a lot of plywood mainly because I had it lying around. Worked quite well and bootstrapped me to where I am now. So yes it does work.

[reefy86]

That's good to hear guys