got some cork samples from Ecosupply, some tan 12mm thick 10x10cm, and a piece dark brown 10x10x3.2cm.
Intention is to cut some coasters, but wanted to use the thicker piece too. Did not have another idea than to make a box, just to test how cork would look.
It cuts very well.
It is a challenge to hold it on the wasteboard. Tabs probably are too soft. When taped on the wasteboard it is difficult to get it loose because it is so soft. Must be done very carefully, best with a long knife. So you know.
Now please tell me what could possibly be put in such a box, what can it possibly be used for…
yes. I got a sample from Ecosupply of high density cork, came out VERY smooth, but was just a sample of 10x10, tabs much too soft to hold the piece, so failed.
these here are from regular cork, from a Portugese company, much less smooth surface:
I made 20 for my wife’s and son’s Kaffeehouse.
I will order some ultra high density cork from ecosupply, will be really smooth. Thing is workholding with cork because it is so flexible. However probably double sided tape, is great to stick, but impossible to remove: if I make small pieces like christmas ornaments almost most of the time is needed to remove it again )
If you’re going to do a lot of these, I would look into making a vacuum fixture.
Otherwise, what about cutting some thinner strips of 2way tape & just using less.
Perhaps 3-4 strips of 1/4" wide tape rather than taping the whole surface?
Or a tacky-mat? I have one made for Cricut. They make them in several “stickyness” grades.
I got the “Extra” sticky, which is actually too sticky for vinyl or paper that I got it for.
I did some card stock & ended up putting a light coat of paste wax on the back of the card stock so I could get it off the tacky mat.
I’m not sure if it matters but the “cut” of your tooling may make a difference as well. Down cut should push the material down instead of trying to rip it up off your table.
Tod with one d: Yep, will try the thinner tapes. TY!
Tacky mat is another idea I never thought of! Thank you for that too. How to get chips / dust off them that the next stock will hold?
I thought about a vacuum table too. Some work to do to have one, I am not sure that will hold strong enough? Would be a regular vacuum enough, or does it need a vacuum pump?
I read something about MDF would be too porous? Needs to be solid plastic? Will see. Will try after christmas.
Usually I use the tacky mat for drag-knife cutting (no chips). Or I’ll use dust collection, then clean the mat with a sharp scraper before putting it away.
I would go with a dedicated plastic or aluminum vacuum fixture so the vacuum only gets applied to the part (no leaks). I think a regular shop-vac would be sufficient in this case. Short cut runs with the vacuum off to change parts. For longer jobs I would go with a vacuum pump as the shop vac may burn out if used continuously for a longer time.
If you have to use MDF, seal the crap out of it everywhere but the part cavity. Good thing, you don’t need to drill passages for the vacuum, it will suck right through the MDF.
Could be something as simple as…
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