Thread: Which Bits do you use?

Solid carbide for all cutters.

For engraving I use 60 degree 3 flute whiteside bit 1541
http://www.woodworkersworld.net/v_groove_bits.shtml#60

For anything else except acrylic I use spiral two flute solid carbide bits from here
http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/carbi...__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Everything else includes include MDF, softwood, hardwood, aluminum and brass.
On softer material you sometimes get a furry top edge but it cleans up easily with a whisk of sandpaper.

For acrylic I use single flute acrylic bits from the link immediately above.

I am only a hobiest so you may want different bits for production work.

If you need volume to get a discount ask here as there might be a few takers to boost the numbers. Sometimes this sort of thing can be a pain though.

I use very similar bits to Rod. I have a local shop that orders alot of Carbitool bits too so i get a decent discount on them if i need good tooling. Just depends on what i'm working on. For sign writing though, i also have a 120 degree v bit, it is awesome for wide lettering and allows leaving strength in the piece as it doesn't plunge as deep. I was put onto them by a local sign company who saw them at an expo. Can't remembered where i ordered it though.

Daniel

Rod and Daniel, many thanks for your replies.

Checked out the links and i must say the bits from Hong Kong are very well priced. A little bit over my bulk prices - but you do not have to buy 50 at a time.

We use a couple of the Whiteside bits in our wardrobe door production. Great quality.

The MDF that we use for our doors is Moisture Resistant MDF. We find that it Routers cleaner, is easier to sand and gives a very nice finish after painting.

Cranked up the new 1200 x 2400 today to make a sign. What do you think of it?



Rocket

I'm trying hard to be complimentry but that has to be the worst sign ever.
Collingwood for Premiers ?????
All jokes aside you are a bit deep in the engraving which makes the letters merge. Other than that it's fine.

Originally Posted by Rocket67

Hi fellas, Our new CNC Routers have arrived and i am looking into buying some bits.

I know that it depends on what you are cutting, but would there be a list of a dozen or so that are considered desirable to have in your kit?

Have found that when buying sets of bits they include the type with bearings. No point in CNC people buying some bits that will never be used.

Found this set for signwriting from Eagle in the USA
http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/...groove_forming
Ordered a set, but they have not got back to me about shipping yet.

Aside from the signwriting bits, the others that i am looking at are -
Upcut with chip-breaker spiral bits
One Flute spiral bits
Two Flute Spiral Bits
Solid Carbide End Mills
Compression Bits.
Are there any that i have missed? For use in mainly MDF.

Another reason for asking - I am making enquiries in China to find a supplier of Quality bits at reasonable prices. Am currently obtaining quotes from Langchao Tool Company http://www.chinalangchao.com/
The prices are very low, but i must purchase minimum order quantities to qualify for the low prices. Happy to buy in bulk, but there are so many types and sizes. Not sure which are the popular ones.
Any guidance appreciated.

Rocket.

You could try Multicam in NSW they have a good supply of cutting tools not the cheapest
but the tools will out last the cheap ones ... and no i dont work for them.. Speak to Russel
on the front desk he knows about the tools ...If he can,t answer your questions one of the tech's will. Look up multicam on the web head office is NSW. The melb office is the one
that normaly deals with Perth from memory but NSW holds more stock, ask for there catoluge..

Originally Posted by rodm

I'm trying hard to be complimentry but that has to be the worst sign ever.
Collingwood for Premiers ?????
All jokes aside you are a bit deep in the engraving which makes the letters merge. Other than that it's fine.

Hi Rod, I will update the sign each week until only Collingwood and some loser team remain. I think the Collingwood letters are too small - will make them bigger next week.

Been having trouble with the supplied collets. Ordered a 1/4" V Groove cutter - but found it would not fit into the 1/4" Collet. Had to use the 1/2" cutter for the sign.
Ordered a set of Collets from Hong Kong today. Should solve the problem.

niall, Thankyou for the info. I will ring and request a catalogue.

Rocket.

COLLINGWOOD !!!!!!!!!!!

I thought you lived in Adelaide.

On the subject of collets. If you use 1/4" shanked tools a bit like I do then it is a good idea to get a 1/4" collet.

Yes a 7mm collet will squeeze down to 1/4" but is far from ideal.

The collet sets you can buy from ebay china are all metric sets. Imperial collets generally come fro the US and unfortunately more expensive.

With the 1/4" bit that would not fit, maybe it was a 6mm collet. If that was the case, it will never fit.

Greg

Yeah be careful with squeezing collets. I broke the collet retainer twice because i tightened it up. For the price of a 1/4" collet its well worth the hassle of finding and getting one.

Daniel
P.S Moisture resistant MDF...should make a good table top with a piece of sacrificial ontop, maybe less warping???

Hi Greg, Actually i grew up in Maidstone. parents dragged us across to Adelaide in my teenage years. Will never forget having to leave a game at Victoria Park at half time for our move here. Since then i have always been a Victorian on the way back home again! One day. LOL.

Looks like i had better order a couple set of collets from the USA. Came across a good site with reasonable prices the other night. Will post a link to it if i can find it again. Actually need 2 sets. The 600 x 1000 machine has ER11 Collets, and the 1200 x 2400 machine ER20 Collets.

Daniel, our spoilboard on the 1500 x 3000 machine is standard MDF. Warping has not been an issue with it. Ramon surfaced the board for only the second time in a year and a half only last week. On the wardrobe doors - we still need to router relief grooves on the back of 16mm panels to prevent warping. The doors are sealed on the back also, but every now and again we have problems with doors bowing. seems to be in extreme weather conditions.

Rocket.
PS Good old Collingwood forever!

Originally Posted by Rocket67

Looks like i had better order a couple set of collets from the USA. Came across a good site with reasonable prices the other night. Will post a link to it if i can find it again. Actually need 2 sets. The 600 x 1000 machine has ER11 Collets, and the 1200 x 2400 machine ER20 Collets.

Actually what I said about 7mm collet squeezing down to 6.35mm does not apply so much to the little ER11 size collets. As they come in half millimetre increments. Same principal applies but not so bad.

If you did happen to find some imperial ER11s and decide to order, would like a 1/4" and a 1/8".

Greg

PS: I am ignoring the fact that you are a Collingwood supporter and still talking to you.

Originally Posted by Greolt

Actually what I said about 7mm collet squeezing down to 6.35mm does not apply so much to the little ER11 size collets. As they come in half millimetre increments. Same principal applies but not so bad.

If you did happen to find some imperial ER11s and decide to order, would like a 1/4" and a 1/8".

Greg

PS: I am ignoring the fact that you are a Collingwood supporter and still talking to you.

It can sometimes be depressing barracking for the pies - but the thrill of the 2000 grand final was worth it. Time for a repeat performance.

Who do you all barrack for?

Have not found the correct US site yet - going searching now. Will order a couple of them for you.

Rocket.

Talking about collets etc ... is there some sort of collet available to fit a 1/4" Milwarkee so it can take 1/8" bits?

Cheers,

Alan

I think you might be a little confused. The Mighty Bombers won the 2000 grand final.

This is where I have got imperial collets before,

http://www.usshoptools.com/

Trouble is they want a fortune for postage. I want two or three collets which are about the size of a shelled peanut, and they want over $35US just to post them.

I have request out on a forum for someone who lives near them, to see if they will pick them up and put them in an envelope. Three or four bucks should do it surely.

Greg

Originally Posted by Zoot

... is there some sort of collet available to fit a 1/4" Milwarkee so it can take 1/8" bits?

Do you mean the Milwalkee die grinder? They do make them but when I priced them they were $70

Luckily I was able to adapt a 1/8" collet from an air die grinder. Some people use the sleeve reducers that can be had cheap. You don't want any run-out with little fine drills and the like.

Greg