I route a lot of thin sheet aluminum from .015" to .125" thick with small 1/16" or 1/8" carbide bits. I normally hold it to MDF with double sided tape. It is a pain because I need to do a test route on the MDF only first so I know where the cuts will be then I put down the tape making sure I don't cover any of the cut lines because the glue from the tape sticks to the bit and causes chips to stick and build up then the bits break. On the thin stuff I need to make sure that there is tape near all the cuts to keep the sheet from flexing and lifting while cutting.
I was thinking that it would be a lot easier if I used just a little tape or clamps on the edges and I had some kind of nose piece on the router to press down the metal and keep it from trying to lift right next to the bit. It would need to be low friction so I am thinking maybe some type of wheel or rolling bearing. Might be an issue with chips getting under it and causing friction and scratching of the sheets. Vacuum head to suck up the chips might solve that.
Is anyone else doing anything like this? Any ideas or suggestions?
I was thinking that it would be a lot easier if I used just a little tape or clamps on the edges and I had some kind of nose piece on the router to press down the metal and keep it from trying to lift right next to the bit. It would need to be low friction so I am thinking maybe some type of wheel or rolling bearing. Might be an issue with chips getting under it and causing friction and scratching of the sheets. Vacuum head to suck up the chips might solve that.
Is anyone else doing anything like this? Any ideas or suggestions?