What material is the stock spoil board slats that come with the SO5? It’s a different color than what I got replacement MDF stock to make new slats with - Stock slats are light brown/tan and the new MDF is the classic dark brown. When I surfaced and with a few of my first cuts, the new MDF shreds and leaves frayed edges where the stock SO5 slats cut clean.
While it would be nice to replace it with the same material, it’s not necessary — whatever you can source which is:
- easily cut/kind to endmills
- stable/won’t warp
- inexpensive
would be fine. I use PVC lumber on most of my machines.
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I like the stock material because I dont have to sand down the frayed edges of the MDF I replaced it with. Until it get more gooves, it’s annoying to do, which is why I’m trying to find out that material of the original so I can buy that next time I need to make new slats.
Try using bottom of material and you cut through your material less often. No matter if you use top or bottom measurement of your material is critical. I replaced my spoilboard about 2 years ago and went to using bottom of material for any project that cuts through and there is barely any cuts on my spoilboard. The one was my fault. I made a prototype out of 1/2" material and then put the real material which was 3/4" on and forgot to change the material measurement and it cut into my spoilboard. That was my fault. When I used top exclusively I cut into the spoilboard on a regular basis.
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Where do you get PVC lumber in the appropriate size?
You can get PVC trim boards at Lowes in various widths. It has simulated wood grain stamped on one side that you can machine away or flip.
I hear that Home Depot has PVC sheets but have never seen it in my local ones.
Are you using MDF from the bix box stores or MR-MDF (moisture resistant)? MR-MDF is much better quality. Medite is a brand name in the UK, I think you can get that in the US.
Home centers such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.
I think the original question is valid. What are the specifications for the original slats ?
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There’s different grades of mdf. We use a premium mdf for cabinet doors at work, and the lower grade for crown moulding. Still considered mdf, but the lower grade fuzzes a lot when cut, making it harder to seal. I’d go with a lower grade, because it will still be dimensionally stable but put less stress on the bit.
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