Ragged edges

[Robin Hewitt]

There is a reason why router bits don't have a helix on the cutting edges, as you just discovered :heehee:

The helix adds an upward component to the cut.

[Minnican]

I've bought a down-cutter but haven't tried it yet. Been too busy making solar panels, wind turbines and solar cookers!!

[Jonathan]

I've bought a down-cutter but haven't tried it yet. Been too busy making solar panels, wind turbines and solar cookers!!

Nice, I've made all of them too! Probably the main reason I made my CNC router is to do wind turbine blades. Bit off topic, but here's the solar panel (tracking parabolic mirror etc) I made a few years ago:



Got any pictures of what you've made?

Edit: Thought I'd add something on topic. Before I got router cutters I did once have to use a normal milling cutter on plywood - it did make a huge difference.

[wiatroda]

Bit off topic, but here's the solar panel (tracking parabolic mirror etc) I made a few years ago:
Got any pictures of what you've made?

Jonathan, very nice mirror. Does it have sun tracking system ??
Minnican, yes I want to see some pictures as well :) Very interesting subject

[Jonathan]

Jonathan, very nice mirror. Does it have sun tracking system ??

Yes it does - that's what the small PV on the top right powers. There's a small geared motor with a linkage to track the mirror. The mirror rotates on bearings placed around the focal pipe. You can just about see the temperature in that image - that's in Celcius. I've seen about 160C on it. I will post a better picture later when I've found it.