Thread: Can you buy router bit adaptors less than 6mm ?

Spin a 3mm shank bit at 20,000rpm?

Sounds a bit dicey to me, but perhaps you're thinking of doing something less dangerous?

Dunno Jake,
But wonder what speed say a dremel runs at, and they run 3mm shanked bits in them. They also come with a fair few collet sizes, that maybe you could adapt from 1/2" to 1/4" to 3mm.
Might I add that I don't want to be there when you do it.

yes

Martrix, are you saying that Dremel supply collets for 1/2" routers that take 3mm bits?

I wasn't thinking of doing it in a router. Just my shopsmith. I've got a 1/2" router collect on it. I've got the speed going at about (I don't know) about 6000rpm.

And I horizontally rout with it.........And I've been freehand routing mortises with it. (Its a bit tricky with the larger bits. Feels like its going to throw a bit)

But I tried a 6mm end mill in the shopsmith the other day (got 4 flutes, meant for metal work), using an adaptor from my router, and its so smooth cutting, its just sexy. slow. but real nice

So, I'd like to buy some smaller end mills. 1/8" would be nice to fit some floating tenon stock I've got.....but I can't without an adaptor you see.

You can get 1/2"-1/4" reducers for your router.
There is no problem running the small solid carbide bits at this speed

You can get the bits down to 2mm diameter

Most 1/4" routers run at 9-27000rpm
Most 1/2" routers run at 10-20,000rpm

It is like all router bits if you need to do any depth then take a couple of cuts do not try to plunge the full depth on the one go.

It is your larger bits that need reduced speed.

To give an idea of speed and this does not take into account the timber or the bloke hanging onto the router.

Bit Diameter maximum speed
up to25mm 24,000rpm
25-35mm 18,000rpm
35-50mm 16,000rpm
50-60mm 14,000rpm
60-80mm 12,000rpm
80-90mm 10,000rpm

Sounds spot on.

But what I'm after though is adaptors that go from say 1/2" to 1/8"....cause a metal working end mill 1/8" doesn't have a 1/4" shank like you find with router bits intended for wood. The 1/8" end mills I have come accross all have 1/8" shanks.

And I'm sure it'll be safe enough.