I want to cut cardboard! What do I use to cut?

CNC Machines Shapeoko
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I want to cut cardboard boxes and I’m wondering what can I use to cut the boxes. The cardboard I have is pretty thick it’s 3 layer cougurated cardbaord. I have shapeoko 3XXL. Thank you

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Donek Drag Knife. Uses standard utility knife blades.

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Or the SST dragknife which is a little cheaper I think.

Here is a video I did using the SST knife to cut through coroplast. I didn’t try cardboard but I think it would work the same.

There are plans out there for home made drag knives as well.

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I cut hundreds of shapes several years ago with my SO3 and a 1/16” endmill. Single and double thick cardboard. Speeds and feeds appropriate for softwood.

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I was thinking of using knives too but my cardboard is thick thick like the type you use for holding watermelons at the super store. So I think I’m gonna go with using a router bit instead any tips or advices ?

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The long term answer is how much are you going to cut. If it is a regular thing then the drag knife but if this is a one of then the router bit. Cardboard is rough and may dull your bit. Cardboard is tougher than you think on router bits.

I wonder if you take a full depth cut or make regular doc cuts like you would in wood? @Griff

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Is it possible to diode laser cut cardboard? An expensive upgrade for a one off, but curious.

Out of curiousty i tried to cut cardboard with a fiber laser (galvo). Albeit thin cardboard it cut smoother and cleaner than a drag knife. It Surprised me. I was ready to put a fire out. It didnt cut purple cardboard at all.

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The pros use an oscillating knife. Some control the direction of the blade, while other are tangential like a drag knife. It’s a whole new head/spindle so expensive, but if it’s the primary goal of the machine, this is the way to go.

There are some pretty tough drag knives made.

If it has to be a spindle, I might try a burr… Composite Router Bit Amana Tool 48050-B AlTiN Coated Cutter

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I can tell you c02 lasers cut it fine. I cut it with my 100 watt lasers frequently.

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I have a Jtech 7w diode laser attachment but since I’m fairly new to the laser I don’t want to start a fire in my house especially here in California

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I’ve cut cardboard with a 4.2 and 7 watt Jtech laser but nothing that thick. You might want to run that by the LightBurn guys in their forum and see what they suggest.

I would think you would want to do multiple passes with the Z dropping down a bit with every pass to stay in focus. There is a option for that in LightBurn. Also, you may want to consider Perforation Mode.

I’ll have to give this a try when I get back home. Gone fishing…