Cutting Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, or UHMW on TS55

[adamdc]

Does anyone have experiece cutting this hard plastic material on a track saw?  Is it bad for blades? Any feedback would be great.

Thanks,

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just a general comment that we have blades made specifically for plastics. http://festoolusa.com/search/?q=blade+plastic

I do know that we have customers who use the TS saws for use with Plexi and other types of plastics, such as for constructing fish tanks. Using a slower speed will help prevent the plastic from melting during the cut.

Shane

 

[adamdc]

thanks Shane.  I only need to make a few cuts and will take it slow. 

 

[Sparktrician]

I used my TS 55 to cut small blocks of UHMW plastic to make setup blocks for router bits.  No problems at all at full speed, but chose to drop the speed to "3". 

 

[rst]

Slow speed and a plastic/aluminum blade will work perfectly.  I just made a pair of doors for a grocery warming case yesterday from 3/8
inch polycarbonate which is much tuffer than UHMW. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Cut it at least once a week making some sort of jig. Proper speed and blade as others have mentioned.

Tom