Let me try and make a few comments:
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Feeds and speeds: while very debatable, there are a few ground rules that you could probably follow to at least reduce the variability in cut quality. When routing manually, you naturally get a feel of how fast you should push, while a CNC is dumb and only does that one feedrate you programmed, which may or may not be the optimal one for the bit/material at hand. I think you should :
- check how to set your RPM precisely. Whether it’s 10K or 18K will change the game completely. Here’s the table showing the “dial position versus RPM” for the Carbide Compact Router
- check what your chipload is (which is another way of saying, check your RPM vs feedrate). While I’m no expert, I have written a bit about how to determine feeds and speeds for HDPE and acrylic (and other materials) here, and it has been working great for me so far. Single flutes are easiest/best, so that #278 should help.
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Tramming:
Well not really. If you have a perfectly squared and surfaced machine, a tramming issue will likely manifest itself as a series of vertical and/or horizontal ridges, uniformly across the work area. In case it may help, here’s my own naive take on it.
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Runout:
- while I don’t think this is necessarily the problem here, here’s the video about tapping the endmill to minimize runout. It’s kind of advanced, but considering you are a mechanic, I will assume you won’t break anything trying this method
- while I don’t think this is necessarily the problem here, here’s the video about tapping the endmill to minimize runout. It’s kind of advanced, but considering you are a mechanic, I will assume you won’t break anything trying this method
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V-wheels: they have a single shim/washer between them and the plate. You shouldn’t feel/see any significant slop there. Maybe a pic (or even better, video) of the play you are seeing would help provide better advice ?