Flat Panel MDF Doors

[Kerry Fullington]

What would be the best tooling to "Hog Out" the flat panels when machining MDF doors? We have been using the fly cutter but this seems to put a lot of wear on the inserts. The benefit is that the tool is already in place and it works. Is there something better?

[Josh Rayburn]

Hi Kerry,
We use a macro in our CAD program to hog out with a 1/2" downcutter then finish the last pass pulling .02" with the special flycutter just for doors like this. Then the profile is done if required or the cleanup at the edges with the 1/8" tool. I have not been able to figure out a way to get ecabinets to do this efficiently.
jnr

[Brad McIntosh]

Kerry,

We offer a tool from Royce Ayr - DIA-RTR.2009 - Polycrystalline Diamond Pocketing Tool. "For pocketing applications, shaker doors and surfacing." (http://www.shopcnconline.com/contents/e ... tools.html)

Most (if not all) of our Canadian Panelmetrix users work with this tool. And since the tool can be used for surfacing as well, you can leave it in the machine and use it for your surfacing (minimizes "handling" and tool swapping accidents). The tool can cut to a depth of 0.5", and clients regularly are pocketing to a depth of 0.400" (10mm) at 350 ipm in a single pass.

** The original model was 2" in diameter, but we had Royce-Ayr reduce it to 1.75" as it was a little more versatile for pocketing smaller doors and drawer fronts.

Thermwood may have something similar on their on-line store.

[Kerry Fullington]

Thanks Josh,

The 1/2" tool just takes too much time on large doors. Programming isn't a problem because we are using PanelMetrix.
It sounds like Brad has the solution in his post.

Brad,

I will take a look at the tool you mentioned. I think that will be the answer.

Thank you both for your help.