CNC Shark Forum

i just surfaced a new spoilboard and i have a shallow spot already? how is this possible?

It looks like you're using particle board for your spoil board. I would suggest using MDF for that use. It's more stable and stays that way.

yeah i bought it by accident. do you think that’s the issue?

Probably.

MDF is easy to surface and it will stay flat. Particle board will expand and contract more with the weather. That is probably why you can't keep it level.

crap. ok thanks!

Here is a picture of the spoil board I just finished. I put T-slots in about 3 inches apart and 1/4-20 Tee Nuts in from the bottom. I have some L brackets I use to anchor the board and use the t-slots with 3/8" clamps or the 1/4-20 bolts to secure the work piece. So far it has worked pretty good. I used 1/4-20 Nylon bolts with top side nuts to secure the spoil board to the NWA (Rockler) top. I decided to use the nylon in case during a cut through of the spoil board if I hit a bolt it would not damage the bits and/or router. The clamps use steel bolts but are far enough away to not cause issues. Plus they are not tall enough to give interference with the dust brush on the boot. The spoil board is MDF. The T-tracks work ok with 3/8 or 5/16" bolts but do not work well with 1/4-20 bolts. There is not enough meat left in the t-track to hold the smaller bolts well. But the 1/4-20 Tee nuts hold the clamps very well. I just push the cam around to contact the edge and then tighten the bolt. The ones I use in the t-track are 3/8 but still wiggle a little and are not as secure when clamping but between the two and wedges I can clamp anything.