# What speed and plunge depth for MDF **URL:** \ **Category:** X-Carve\ **Created:** [April 4, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051 "2016-04-04T00:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StevenPatterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@StevenPatterson](https://community.inventables.com/u/StevenPatterson)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/1 "2016-04-04T00:22:12Z")
I am about to do a project that requires me to cut all the way through 0.5" MDF The recommended settings in easel for speed and plunge rate automatically sets it to 30 inch/min and 0.028 in per pass…at this rate this job will take me all night! With the Dewalt 611 what speed and plunge should i use to do this cut with good results…at that plunge rate it will take 35 passes to cut the piece out! I have tried searching and cant find a good answer. Any help would be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/2 "2016-04-04T00:28:50Z")
What size bit? ---
**Author:** ![GlennMDutcher](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/glennmdutcher/32/75687_2.png) [@GlennMDutcher](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennMDutcher)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/3 "2016-04-04T00:29:39Z")
What size bit will you be using? I just did a bunch of 1/4" MDF with an 1/16" bit at a plunge of .0625 and a feed of 70 inch/min Dewalt 611 speed 1 ---
**Author:** ![GlennMDutcher](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/glennmdutcher/32/75687_2.png) [@GlennMDutcher](https://community.inventables.com/u/GlennMDutcher)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/4 "2016-04-04T00:37:23Z")
and did you choose MDF from the materials? ---
**Author:** ![WillAdams](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/willadams/32/67263_2.png) [@WillAdams](https://community.inventables.com/u/WillAdams)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/5 "2016-04-04T00:58:43Z")
> **[Shapeoko CNC Router, Rigid, Accurate, Reliable, and Affordable](https://carbide3d.com/shapeoko/)** > > Learn about the Shapeoko CNC Routers. They're fast, accurate, and reliable so you can make amazing projects to keep, give as gifts, or sell. ---
**Author:** ![Scotts](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/scotts/32/19516_2.png) [@Scotts](https://community.inventables.com/u/Scotts)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/6 "2016-04-04T01:03:15Z")
I’ve been using a 1/8" two flute down cut bit at 1200mm/min with 1.8mm steps and it works great. Dewalt 611 at 1.5-2 for speed. These are the bits I have been using while practicing with the machine: [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B002YD7ZKY/ref=yo\_ii\_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B002YD7ZKY/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![AaronMatthews](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/aaronmatthews/32/73728_2.png) [@AaronMatthews](https://community.inventables.com/u/AaronMatthews)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-speed-and-plunge-depth-for-mdf/22051/7 "2016-04-04T16:05:56Z")
I highly recommend getting a down cut bit for MDF. For fill thickness cuts it is not as much of an issue, but it will make a big difference on partial thickness cuts. I cut way too fast on my XC with mixed results: [Cutting plywood with a downcut bit](https://community.inventables.com/t/cutting-plywood-with-a-downcut-bit/21687) But one thing I have noticed when cutting at higher feeds, depth of cut seems to really effect the load put on the router / quality. With MDF you should be able to push things pretty far but I would not do a cut depth more than 50% bit diameter, probably more around 40%. Even less if you have not done a stiffing mod.