Acrylic Router Bits
 

What is everyone using for routing your edges when you DIY stuff? Where are you getting it to..

I bought a freud 3 fluted straight trimmer, it does an "ok" job, but it is not smooth enough to use Weldon #4.

Thanks..
Chad

Pretty hard to find better quality than Freud router bits. Practice your technique on some scrap and see if you can't get a better edge. Maybe try a panel cutting saw blade in a tablesaw or a circular saw, they leave pretty good edges, too.

What kind of router are you using? Are you preparing the edges using a router table? You can wet sand edges with 320 grit with a block for nice results before welding, some people even polish the edges

I have been using a triple flute freud bit also, and found it does a better job only on small outside trimming, not long cuts. Long cuts I've found a single flute does better. I recently got a new dewalt dw616 router and it made a world of difference in how nice trimming turns out.

I use a jointer for gluing surfaces, however a router should work fine with any carbide bit. Perhaps you're removing too much material? I usually only remove 1/32 or 1/16 at the most. Also feed rate and router speed is fairly important.

Well it is a craftsman router, it does not have variable speed. I am only removing 1/16 at a time.. I am using a router table and that Freud 3 flut flush bit. It leave the following edge.

looks to me like the feed rate is too high. It's hard to see from the picture but does the edge seem to show an internal bubble like texture?

I would try removing 1/32, increase the router speed and experiment with different feed rates. You'll get it, it just takes time to figure out what works best.

The best way for me to describe it is more of like a "wave" action. I don't see bubbles. I have no way to increase the router speed.. maybe I should get a new router?

First try removing less material and a slower feed rate.

I will give it a try, I know if I go to slow it starts to melt it. I wish you could automate the feed rate :-)

I went out and bought a spiral up-cut bit from Freud. It seems to do a much better job.. very smooth.. I am going really slow as well...