formica

[mayday]

has anyone waterjeted formica before? we have some 1/2" thick sheets that are 60 x 100 with lots&lots of .188 holes in them. im wondering if we will get blowout on this stuff verses drilling the holes which im afraid we will get chipping at break thru unless we use a backer plate of some kind

[mayday]

:Bump: for a waterboy

[mayday]

Just so you know.......

[Müřlıń®]

Mayday could you back it up with some sheet metal and cut through both?

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I'd back it personally. I thik you'd get break out either milling or waterjetting.

 

JM2C

[mayday]

These sheets are big with over 500 holes. we also noticed from fraying on the edges. so to be safe I think we are going to cut and drill them on the bridge mill

[Tim Johnson]

Could you drill to .02 from the bottom and finish drill with an end mill? If you push out a slug you may not get breakout.

[Robert Ouellette]

Hi there we just ran a batch of formica 2 weeks ago and nothing we did could stop blow out on the back side. we tried low presure piercing first and cutting holes after. we tried clamping a backing board to it and same thing. If you figure something out let me know. our customer is still looking for a solution

[MetalMarvels]

I realize that you probably already tried this - but what about a wood-type drill. The kind that is a brad-point that cuts at the diameter of the drill before it cuts the main body of the hole. I have successfully used them in formica-covered chip board with little or no tear-out on the back side. However, I have only found them in HSS at local sources and the "wings" at the tip do tend to wear fast. They do give a good clean hole. DON"T get one from your local hardware store or lumber yard - they aren't worth the money. You need a quality one from your tool supplier.

 

M.A.Ford has one that works well - P/N 20718750 - it is a carbide tool (listed as a brad and spur composite drill).

[mayday]

We test drilled with a H.S. split point Nachi drill and things look good. tha waterjeting of the holes is out of the question,but we did cut the outside shape to size and also some large oval shaped windows without trouble on the jet. as long as you pre drill an opening your ok. piercing with the water shaters the layers apart