Working with Richlite

Unlike other surface materials, Richlite needs to be worked with a little bit differently to get the best results. Each application and maker is unique, so results will vary but we've grouped together the guidance from the Richlite fabrication video series to help anyone with less experience understand get better results. If it's your first time working with paper composite surfaces, you can buy part sheets to test out buffing, applying finishes, seaming or routing Richlite. 

Surface options

Richlite is supplied in sheets with factory-finish Mill surface and rough-cut edges that can be worked with standard woodworking tools with carbide or diamond tipped tooling. Many interior joinery applications are specified with a leathered suede like finish, or more polished honed finish which are achieved through fabrication. Richlite's high density means you may need multiple passes or work through more tooling than wood. 

Applied finishes

For indoor air quality and ease of application, most fabricators choose to use a hard wax oil finish with Richlite. You can purchase the finish from our online shop, but it's important not to follow the instructions on the tin, as they are for porous wood surfaces, which Richlite is not. The finish is a highly refined hard wax/oil combination that does not separate and performs like an air-cured finish that if applied correctly shouldn't stay soft or waxy and acts as a better repellent to watermarks. It can be applied on site, but the drying time is long compared to solvent based finishes. 

Seaming, gluing and fastening Richlite

Because of Richlite's unique characteristics there are multiple ways to seam and join the material. The following video describes some of these techniques using adhesive, biscuits, splines and fasteners. For bonding Richlite to Richlite, most epoxies will work, if you check the description look for one that works with thermoset sheets, plastics and metals. Some D3 Cross Link PVA that work with nonporous materials such as laminates will also work well for a full surface bond. With any seams or adhesives, the most important thing is to abrade the sheets to give them a good key.

CNC Routing

CNC machining is an excellent way to fabricate curves and large cutouts. Feed rates with CNC routers and machining centres vary depending on the tool. Due to the density of the material you'll want to be sure to use the right router bits to achieve a premium finish. Multiple passes are required with up to 12mm per pass, although 7-8mm per pass are more common. You can do your step cutting with an older router bit, using a finishing tool for the final 0.25mm finishing pass. 

Cutting Richlite

Rough cutting Richlite is a quick way to process panels that don't need a finished edge such as exterior paneling, non-visible fabricated edges, mating material and industrial applications.

Drilling and tapping Richlite

Consider tolerances with through-hole drilling. Pilot holes are needed for tapping or trilling because of the density of the material. The pilot hole should be slightly longer than the screw and narrower than the threads. If the pilot hole is not large enough the head of the screw may snap off. Too shallow may damage the surface as the remaining material may push through to the other side. Richlite has very good screw holding ability when it is correctly drilled and tapped.

Routing Richlite

In addition to CNC routing, finish edge, plunge and profile routing can be used to cut Richlite to create a high quality finished edge. Standard decorative, round-over and chamfer router profiles can be cut into Richlite. Using the proper setup can minimise sanding and finishing work. Rough cuts to be routed should be made as close as possible to finished dimensions, leaving only enough material to make a final pass or finish with a router.

Richlite's incredibly dense, with high strength and durability, and works differently to most other materials. Following these videos and reviewing the full fabrication manual can help you achieve the best results. 

You can shop part sheets and prototyping material which can also help you get a better feel for working with Richlite, using discount code MAKEITWITHPAPER for 50% off your first order of part sheets. For more information on how to work with Richlite, get in touch.