Plastic Cutting Boards

[Howdya do that]

In heaps of different threads people have discussed using plastic cutting boards for making various jigs, sliding in mitre slots etc but I cant find much info on "working it" :?

How do you cut it?
Can you plane it?
Can you use a router on it?
Can you sand it to a smooth finish?

[Waldo]

G'day Howdya,

Guess what, I just bought a big plastic cutting board (455mm x 295mm) yesterday for a home-made coping sled. Like last time, I'll my 1/4" 6tpi blade on the b/saw. Then I'll put it on my face plate sander and carefully take the rough edge off and sand until it's just right. As simple as that really.

Or, instead of sanding you could use a straight bit router on it to finish the edge - can't see why not.

I was in the shop for a while looking individually at each board, seeing that it was true on all faces like selecting timber form the yard, who cares what the retail chics thought.

Got to buy a smaller one yet, so I can cut down and screw into the larger piece. :think: might make a WIP of it once I've got all the bits together.

[Howdya do that]

Run it through your thicknesser and see what happens will you Waldo:rolleyes:

[Ironwood]

I cut the stuff using the bandsaw or the tablesaw, depending on what I'm making. I usually put a nice edge on it with the router, round-over the edges etc. I find it doesnt sand to a shiny finish, more of a matt type finish.

I use it for feet on the bottom of the legs on outdoor furniture to protect the timber from wicking up water, if you know what I mean.

[Cliff Rogers]

You can even turn it. :2tsup:

I would NOT bother making a pen out of it though. :D

[Howdya do that]

Ironwood is using for something I never thought of.

Next question

What uses have found for it?

[Howdya do that]

You can even turn it. :2tsup:

I would bother making a pen out of it though. :D

Go on, I dare you:q

[jerryc]

Howdya,

You can use any woodworking tool on cutting board plastic. I have turned it drilled it, tapped it for threads, sawn it, planed it and routed it.
Apart from cutting boards, which can limit your choice of size, especially thickness, you can go to a plastics specialist and buy it in a thicker block form. Only thing is to be careful about the type of plastic you buy, as some specialist plastics can be expensive. I have not had success with sanding it but I use a plane instead. One thing to watch. When drilling, the waste does have a habit of spiralling up the flutes of the bit

I have turned large pulleys from material bought a a specialist supplier. I've cut it in strips to fit into tee track and into wedges to fit under winches on a yacht, In short it is a wonderful product limited only by your imagination.

Jerry

War does not decide who is right. War only decides who is left.

[Stubchain]

I get all my plastic from local plastic fabricators. They usually have loads of off cuts lying around. They also have various types of plastic from the PTFE to the harder acrylics. Great for all jigs. I make my zero tolerance table saw inserts from acylic, that way I drill and tap the leveling grub screws into them.