Acrylic

[Mike1]

I am carving numbers into clear acrylic which is 1/4"x1.5"x3". Using my 90 degree bit, it is going well but I would prefer a smoother finish as I am painting the carved numbers. Any other recommendation other than the 60-90degree bits. I keep hearing about drag bits. Is this something we can use with the CW? Thank you in advance.

[fwharris]

Joe Lovchik has said he has used one. I think you need to un do the flex shaft.

[Mike1]

Thank you, I will contact him.

[spalted]

I'm not familiar with a drag bit, but drag knives are used for vinyl cutting in non-carewright applications.

I've not cut much acrylic in my Carvewright, but for other machines if given a choice I order single flute "O" flute tooling. I don't have a part number off hand, but I know Onsrud and other make them.
But plenty of times I've used what I had on hand.

If you can using something in HSS or cobalt, it takes a much keener edge than carbide so you'll get a cleaner route
Also a single or two flute cutter, less is more for flute count has worked better for me in the past.

But if you are needing 90 or 60 degree cutters it may be a little more difficult to find those in HSS.
If you are doing enough volume to justify the cost, there are v-bit insert cutters available, that you might be able to use HSS instead of carbide inserts in.
But unless you are doing production it might not be worth the expense and effort to hunt everything down.

Not much of a direct answer I guess........

[fwharris]

I'm not familiar with a drag bit, but drag knives are used for vinyl cutting in non-carewright applications.

I've not cut much acrylic in my Carvewright, but for other machines if given a choice I order single flute "O" flute tooling. I don't have a part number off hand, but I know Onsrud and other make them.
But plenty of times I've used what I had on hand.

If you can using something in HSS or cobalt, it takes a much keener edge than carbide so you'll get a cleaner route
Also a single or two flute cutter, less is more for flute count has worked better for me in the past.

But if you are needing 90 or 60 degree cutters it may be a little more difficult to find those in HSS.
If you are doing enough volume to justify the cost, there are v-bit insert cutters available, that you might be able to use HSS instead of carbide inserts in.
But unless you are doing production it might not be worth the expense and effort to hunt everything down.

Not much of a direct answer I guess........

Drag bit.... https://www.amazon.com/DIAMOND-SPRING-LOADED-ENGRAVING-DEGREE/dp/B07DMLN88W/ref=asc_df_B07DMLN88W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2937065780819755190&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028925&hvtargid=pla-568021582982&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63364097444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2937065780819755190&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028925&hvtargid=pla-568021582982

[spalted]

Very interesting, thank you fwharris!
Now I have a solution to a problem I didn't even know I had.
I might have to dream up a problem so I can try one of those.

[Mike1]

I will look into this. If I go with it I will show the outcome. Thank you both very much.

[CarverJerry]

Mike, can you post a picture of what you are doing? Is the acrylic you are using casted or extruded? Not sure how deep you are making your numbers but the extruded acrylic will want to melt as the casted will cut cleaner, such as what is used in making of lithophanes.