Has anyone tried cutting Trex decking on a CNC. I have a Shapeoko pro xxl. Most Trex decking is 5/4 , so what bit would be recommended to cut this ?
That stuff is a man made product. It sort of plastic like. You will have to experiment but on acrylics and other plastics most people use single flute (O flute) bits. Since it is plastic watch for melting. You may need to speed up or slow down feed rates to avoid melting (likely speed up).
What are you going to try and make?
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I would like to make Adirondack chairs from it . I have the design in my software that I cut chairs from in pine in the past but that was using 3/4 material so I’m skeptical that I can do it in 5/4 material. What is your thoughts?
Keep in mind that Trex is not a structural member. Trex tends to sag where it’s not supported. Be aware that you’ll need to have more support than you think as it doesn’t act like wood.
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Good point , I hadn’t took that in to account.
Not sure ion your aware of a few products. Look into thermally treated ASH and the Bamboo decking products and or IPE. The Ash would be sweet as it’s a really dark wood after it’s thermally treated. It’s dark like Walnut
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While I have yet to machine this type of product on my S5, I have used circular saws and hand held routers. It machines fairly easy, I use slower bit speed to minimize the heat buildup. Do some testing on a piece first. I would not think twice putting on the CNC.
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No issues with a “O” flute. My customer did not like the final. " the decking doesn’t look like wood"
Yes, they paid for the test sample
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