So I’m looking to vcarve some letters in PVC aaaaand PVC is not a suggested material for my v-bits… are there special vbits for PVC? or can I use the 301/302 or and armana engraving bits with adjusted feeds and speeds?
I have used regular V bits before in PVC it’s fine. Downcut may be a little nicer.
For the flat areas you def want to look at an O flute bit like the ones from Amana. They are specialty bits for plastic and leave a very nice surface.
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The problem with V tooling is that the SFM (Surface Feed per Minute) changes along the length of the cutting flute(s), which can lead to melting.
See:
I bought the Spiral ‘O’ Flute Plastic Cutting Pack from Carbide3D 
to cut my shapes out (about 50 4"x4" pieces). They are both upcut bits so I’m a little worried about the 1/4" pvc lifting off the table; ill probably hold a blank sheet of MDF down on the deck, then painters tape both mdf and pvc surfaces and spray with and adhesive… plus hold downs on the edges… i may be fine.
I use the painters tape a lot. Recently I cut on my SO3 XXL a piece that went from side to side. It did take a lot of tape but I did not want to have to trim all the tabs off.
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thanks for this! definitely a new bookmark for me!
and i figured it had to do with melting, hopefully i can get through these carves with a good chipload and some funky air assist set-up to keep the material a little cooler…
Get some scraps to experiment. Like I said I didn’t have any issue. I probably used this though.
EXCELLENT! thanks for that!
Expanded PVC cuts well with a vbit.
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Expanded PVC 60 degree v bit. The krylon fusion paint should have cured 24 hours but it was just a test.
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Using an O flute for the clearing in those large areas would really clean up the flats.
I rather like the textured appearance and feel it suits the informal nature of the sign well.
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