Cutting Plywood Cleanly — Tabs, Climb Cuts, and Compression Bits

Cutting Plywood Cleanly — Tabs, Climb Cuts, and Compression Bits Plywood is one of the most common CNC materials but getting clean edges takes the right technique. Here's how to cut plywood without tearout on the Wolfpawn. The Core Problem Plywood has face veneers that tear when cut. An upcut bit pulls material up — clean bottom, torn top. A downcut bit pushes down — clean top, rough bottom. A compression bit solves both. Bit Selection Use a compression bit for all through-cuts in plywood you care about. Speeds for Baltic Birch Ply Tabs Always use tabs on through-cuts — parts fly if they release before the cut finishes. Width: 4–5 mm Height: 1.5–2 mm (leaves a thin skin) Spacing: every 100–150 mm of perimeter, plus corners on small parts Aspire: set in Toolpath → Tabs section Cut tabs with a hand saw or oscillating tool, sand flush. Climb vs Conventional for Plywood For final profile pass: climb cut gives cleaner edges on hardwood plywood. On soft ply the difference is minimal. Hold-Down Plywood needs to be flat to the spoilboard — any bow means uneven DOC: Double-sided tape on bottom Screws through corners into spoilboard Edge clamps if using T-track Chip Clearing Plywood makes fine sawdust that packs into cuts. Vacuum or air blast frequently to prevent recutting and overheating the bit.

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