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Bettesworth Construction
ABS plastic

How to Machine ABS Plastic: Drilling, Turning, and Milling Guide

ABS can be drilled, turned, and milled, but heat and chip control matter. Learn how to use supplier parameters as starting points for your grade and setup.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
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ABS can be machined by drilling, turning, and milling, but metal-cutting settings are not a safe starting point: plastics hold heat near the cut, soften at lower temperatures, and can melt or gum if chips linger or the tool rubs. Choose the process for the part’s geometry, use sharp plastic-suitable tooling, clear chips effectively, and treat published parameters as starting guidance to verify on the actual grade and machine.

Choose the machining process for the feature

Process Best fit Key considerations
Milling Prismatic parts, pockets, slots, and profiles Use sharp tooling and clear chips so they do not recut or accumulate heat. Air blast can help remove chips and cool the cut.
Drilling Round holes Drill geometry and feed guidance vary with hole size; peck small holes to remove swarf and support the exit side of through-holes to limit breakout.
Turning Rotational features made from rod or similar stock Set tool geometry and cutting conditions for the operation and depth of cut; make test cuts because grades can behave differently.

ABS is suitable for these familiar subtractive processes, but the right choice depends on the part geometry, feature requirements, stock form, grade, tooling, and machine setup. The available guidance does not establish a controlled head-to-head comparison of the processes on identical parts. CNX Precision’s ABS machining guide describes milling, drilling, and turning as viable operations.

Why ABS needs different cutting practices from metal

Plastic can expand more than metal, retain heat longer, and soften at lower temperatures. Heat concentrated around the cut can deform the part or cause melting and gumming; chips that remain in the cutting zone can worsen the problem. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s machinist toolkit explains these differences, while a CNC Manufacturer quality guide identifies ABS among plastics susceptible to thermal defects.

  • Keep tools sharp to reduce rubbing rather than cutting.
  • Clear chips from the cutting area; air blast is one option for milling.
  • Avoid unnecessary dwell, which can build heat in one spot.
  • Tune feeds and speeds to the specific grade, tool, feature, and machine rather than copying metal settings.

Drilling ABS: match geometry and feed to hole size

Boedeker’s plastic-drilling guidance lists the following ABS drill geometry ranges. They are supplier recommendations, not universal requirements:

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The same guide gives different feed ranges for hole sizes beginning at 1/16 inch and continuing to larger holes. Because those feeds depend on hole size, do not collapse them into a single setting; consult the full drilling table and confirm that its recommendations suit the stock grade and drill being used.

Reduce swarf and exit breakout

  • For small holes, pull the drill out frequently to remove swarf rather than allowing it to pack in the hole.
  • For a through-hole, back up the exit side of the workpiece to reduce breakout.

Turning ABS: use the table as a starting point

Boedeker’s ABS turning table lists 5–15 degrees clearance, 25–30 degrees rake, and a 15-degree side angle. Its speed and feed recommendations change with the listed depth-of-cut conditions: it shows 500–600 ft/min for one listed cut and 600–700 ft/min for a lighter listed cut. These are table values, not guaranteed production settings. The turning guide advises making test cuts on scrap because the specific plastic grade may require adjustment; consult its table for the corresponding feeds and cut conditions.

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Milling ABS: prevent heat and chip buildup

Milling is appropriate for prismatic geometry, but successful results depend on keeping the cutting zone clear and avoiding rubbing. Use a sharp tool, arrange effective chip evacuation, and consider air blast where it suits the machine and setup. Excessive heat, dull tools, or chips left in the cut can contribute to thermal deformation, melting, gumming, and surface defects. A process guide from CNC Manufacturer provides broader context on plastic machining; actual milling feeds and speeds still need to be tuned for the ABS grade, cutter, machine capability, and feature.

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Set up a safe, repeatable first cut

  1. Identify the stock. Confirm the ABS grade and form with the supplier, since parameter tables may not transfer directly between grades.
  2. Select the process and tool. Match milling, drilling, or turning to the feature and use sharp tooling with geometry appropriate for plastics.
  3. Start from relevant guidance. Use the drilling or turning table that matches the operation and dimensions; do not assume a metal setting or one plastic setting covers every case.
  4. Plan chip removal. Use frequent drill pull-outs for small holes, support through-hole exits, and provide a way to clear chips during milling or turning.
  5. Make a test cut. Check the result on scrap or a representative setup, then adjust conditions for the grade, tool, and machine rather than treating published values as guarantees.
  6. Follow the stock’s safety information. Consult the actual supplier safety data sheet and applicable shop rules. The cited machining guidance does not establish ABS-specific workplace exposure limits or a complete safety procedure.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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