Using a router ... ?

[fivecheebs]

I'd like an oppinion on router use and what i can get away with cutting.

Id like to cut 4mm Polycarbonate and 2mm aluminium sheet at the same time. I need to make wooden form for the bit to follow and i want to cut the 2 materials after they have been bonded together. I have a reasonable quality non profesional router and im fairly sure its man enough but do you think the router bit will hold up to cutting that combination of materials? I have only ever used it with soft woods before, but i do know that my wood lathe and tools will do soft metals to a small extent.

What do you think, will i get away with it?

TIA

cheebs

[dutchcedar]

I've used a router successfully to cut aluminum sheet stock... even 1/8" plate... locking the material down real well is important, as is a good sharp bit. A backing (scrap piece of plywood) clamped with the work helps enormously.

Cutting aluminum laminated to plastic should work, but you might get melting of the plastic. That may or may not be a problem.

I would cut it with the plastic on the bottom, in hopes that any melting that goes on wouldn't interfere with the router.

And go slow... <_<