Hold-downs for plywood cutting

[cuppingmaster]

I'd like to know what the guys out there cutting plywood are using to hold down the board if not regular old clamps.  The vacuum pucks that Axiom sells look a little underpowered - and it looks like very little clearance between the bottom plywood surface and air hose - but if anyone is using those with plywood I'd love to know your experience.

Thanks!

[savannahdan]

I'm one of these folks who doesn't like using my nice cnc top for making through-cuts, so I use an MDF wasteboard of at least 5/8" thickness. I clamp the MDF wasteboard onto the regular top and then screw the project board (plywood) to the wasterboard. I've used sheetrock screws when free space allows and brass screws when things are tight along the cut line. There is a plastic nail system that looks nice but is a little pricey for me. Also, there are many designs of clamps folks have made out of wood and shared their plans on either Vectric Forum or Thingiverse. These are nice in that you can produce a hand full at one time and not have any problems if they get knicked by the cutting bit. I haven't tried any vacuum system.

[parkin79]

i came across this yesterday and it seems like a really good way to hold down your projects.

[gerry]

Yup... It's great. It does hold REALLY well. Give it a try.

[tomlaw10]

Vacuum table only way to go. When I started I used screws but one misplaced one and busted bit.  I regularly cut 80 2' x 4' panels on a project. I made a vacuum table out of MDF and use a shop vac for the vacuum when the vacuum is on you don't move the panel.

 

[JohnnyBeWood]

Jul 8, 2018 23:08:34 GMT -5 tomlaw10 said:

Vacuum table only way to go. When I started I used screws but one misplaced one and busted bit.  I regularly cut 80 2' x 4' panels on a project. I made a vacuum table out of MDF and use a shop vac for the vacuum when the vacuum is on you don't move the panel.

 

Would you mind sharing a pic of this setup and or some plans? I'd like to look into doing this as well.

Thanks!