Thread: What cutters do most use?

I mainly work with 12-19mm melamine coated chipboard and plastic faced MDF (kitchens and cabinetry.)

We generally use 3/8 compression bits to cut this stuff, either 2 or 3 flute depending on stock when we buy. We also have an 8mm down spiral for cutting thinner MDF stock as the compression point on the 3/8 is at about 9mm, meaning that 3-6mm would be cut by an up spiral (chipped or furry top edge.) The down spiral uses the sacraficial MDF base board to support the cut. We have 3mm and 5mm 2 flute router/drill bits for screw holes and shelf pin hinges.

We have a 50mm face cutter for skimming the sacrafical board and a 3/8 single flute spiral down monster for cutting plastic sheet (6mm splashback sheet to 16mm waterproof carcase board). Would not cut/clear with 2 or 3 flute cutters, but this monster with 1mm relief and a 5mm x 3mm deep clearance channel works wonders.

We also have a few profile bits, mounted but I have yet to see them in use.

Above info is for a 8KW spindle, 8 x 6ft commercial flat bed, 20HP holddown vac pumps and 10HP extraction system through 75mm hose at the shoe.

Your needs, system and use will be different, but I don't see any need for upcut spiral with our system. However, for another system with lighter duty extraction and a mechanical rather than vac clamp system, they may be required to clear the garbage from a cut.

We get the bulk of our bits from Leuco, probably because they are nearby. Don't know, I only load and button push the beast.

Almost all of our bits at work are Carbitool, never had a problem with them. We don't have CNC, but I can't imagine there being a whole lot of difference to a router when you strip away the vacuum table and the travelling head.

I know Holmesglen TAFE uses Carbitool, CMT and Leitz bits and blades and they can afford to buy the best.

Bits with replaceable inserts are a great convenience and the finish is quite acceptable - not as fine as a 3 flute spiral, but pretty close.

Thanks guys, plenty of info in that lot. I have used Carbitool for many years myself, both in handheld routers and in my O/H pin router that cuts my guitar bodies at the moment, come to think of it for the last 20 years in my luremaking business I used nothing but Carbitool, never had a failure. Back when I did my apprenticeship in a joinery where we made Kitchens and custom furniture (ouch! Over 30 years ago)Leuco was a mainstay then for profiling cutters, I used to make our solid timber kitchen doors on a set, great gear. Cheers Paul.

Carbitool for me as well best part when I was cutting Ply and having a few issues I called them explained the problem they told me what would be good for what I was try to achieve.

A lot of my work was/is thin stock and using a 1/4 Sng Down flute worked the best for me actually it was my fav bit besides my wife .