# How will polycarbonate hold up?

**URL:** <https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117>\
**Category:** X-Carve\
**Created:** [March 3, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117 "2015-03-03T18:44:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JedWood](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jedwood/32/67733_2.png) [@JedWood](https://community.inventables.com/u/JedWood)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/1 "2015-03-03T18:44:06Z")

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I’d like to make a cutout on the edge of a fairly thin (maybe 1/8 inch) piece of polycarb. I know it can be prone to chipping and such. Any idea how it would hold up to an X-Carve?

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**Author:** ![paulkaplan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulkaplan/32/32316_2.png) [@paulkaplan](https://community.inventables.com/u/paulkaplan)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/2 "2015-03-03T18:51:26Z")

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@BartDring, @MichaelUna have you milled polycarbonate? Does it act like acrylic?

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**Author:** ![BartDring](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/bartdring/32/67439_2.png) [@BartDring](https://community.inventables.com/u/BartDring)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/3 "2015-03-03T20:02:05Z")

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I mill it all the time. It will do fine. I prefer to use smaller bits like a 1/16 fishtail. This leaves less material in the groove that might reweld on the next pass.

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**Author:** ![JedWood](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jedwood/32/67733_2.png) [@JedWood](https://community.inventables.com/u/JedWood)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/4 "2015-03-03T20:35:37Z")

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Thanks Bart. I’ve only used a bandsaw on the stuff and this world of milling is totally new to me

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**Author:** ![AdamHied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@AdamHied](https://community.inventables.com/u/AdamHied)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/5 "2015-03-05T02:21:44Z")

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The 1/16" fishtail works fine with the right feedrates, but you will get a better finish with an O-flute type endmill. I’m using an Onsrud 63-760,it’s a little pricey at $26. I’ve saved lots on time and materials because the bit doesn’t get warm as easily as the 1/16" and its designed for soft plastics like polycarb. It only produces chips!!!

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**Author:** ![JedWood](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jedwood/32/67733_2.png) [@JedWood](https://community.inventables.com/u/JedWood)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/6 "2015-03-05T21:27:07Z")

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Thanks Adam. The chipping is what I was worried about. Any tips for now to reduce that? I assume that’s what you mean by “it only produces chips?”

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**Author:** ![AdamHied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@AdamHied](https://community.inventables.com/u/AdamHied)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/how-will-polycarbonate-hold-up/117/7 "2015-03-05T22:39:46Z")

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the bit produces a clean edge on the material. If you are getting a rough edge without any melting decrease your feedrate.