Thread: Slot Car Track Router Bit

I would say speed is more likely you issue, too slow it will heat up and burn, too fast the dust will not clear and will heat up and burn, I suggest you use a vacuum or air hose to clear the dust and travel at a reasonable pace,
practice on some scrap as for bit quality you get what you pay for $40 is low to mid range and should do the job, with MDF I would use a carbide cutter.

Originally Posted by Trikes

... MDF is the main ingredient but there is some Pine that the Bit will have to cross over as well. ...

MDF is notoriously hard on the blades of cutting tools - all that glue. Solid wood, especially pine is much gentler.

Also, could you mention the brand names and the bit patterns of your router bits. Tungsten bits have a much longer life than HSS ones. Some brands are better than others.

Finally, could you post a photo of the track that you are trying to replicate and of your work. How do you actually go about cutting the profile?

These questions should allow us to differentiate between tools and technique.

What do you mean by "Slot car track router bit"? Are you trying to route a T slot in one go?

Slot car track guides usually use a bit 3 - 4mm most go for about 3.2, normally you need it a bit wider on the bends to stop the guide binding. the braid is normally a 1/4" 6mm bit.

Originally Posted by Trikes

I'm from the era of buy it once and you have it for life.

Me too, but I'm afraid that doesn't work for 3mm router bits. They are a consumable item. As China said, I suspect your feed rate is leading to premature dulling.

Have you tried doing this in multiple passes?

I've found that heat tends to be the biggest issue when routing into MDF.

Also after a pass clean the bit and go again, obviously sounds like alot of work, yes it is but better than binning an expensive bit.

Having said that alot of these kinds of jobs i generally pass and find its more often than not works out cheaper to just source a new part if its available

Originally Posted by Trikes

Hi I'm refurbishing a 25 y/o Slot Car Track that I recently purchased. Have extended / widened and added an extra Lane (now 3 lanes). So, I'm Routing one full lane and extending in other parts. I purchased a Bit from Bunnings ($17) and the darn thing started sending smoke singles at the 1.5m mark. So I went to the local Machinery place and purchased a $40 item. Darn thing went for about 8m and went black and dull.

I'm from the era of buy it once and you have it for life. I'm a capable WW novice but I don't know how to choose a quality Router Bit from a non-quality item.

So some high quality advice is need here please.

MDF is the main ingredient but there is some Pine that the Bit will have to cross over as well.

Machine I'm using is a decades old Bosch Router with very little use.

So can anyone guide me into selecting a Bit that will do the job?

I'm a Car Detailer with over 50 years experience so yep I can assist you to make your vehicle look pretty - just ask.

First off, never buy a router bit from bunnings - ever. They take chinese crap to an entirely new level of junk. My guess is you want to rout out the wheel groves on the lengths of track?? There are very very different levels of quality in carbide, as you have found with bunnings crap. And to be honest, a good bit should be able to plow through a hundred meters of MDF before it starts to burn, if not a lot further. Quality bits, that come with a commensurate price are: CMT, Whiteside. Lee Valley sells some pretty good stuff also at a pretty good price. Carbitool, for me, has been a bit hit n miss. You should also invest in a fine diamond file to touch the bit up with when it starts to choke n smoke.

Bear one thing in mind. You're routing MDF. Once you breach the outer highly compacted, wax coated layer, it'll degrade real quick from humidity, if you don't seal it.