(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best straight, spiral & trim bits

I've been trying to find a good way to do it myself, preferably without it looking like crap.

Would look the best doing it with a vertical mill, but not just everyone has access to one, if you could find a small end mill bit, you could likely do it with a Dremel type tool, as long as you have a collet the right size, the slot (on mine) is about 1/16" I drilled all the holes out to that.

If you have a steady hand I would give that a shot.

First hit on google http://www.amazon.com/E700-1-Flute-Single-End-Carbide/dp/B000I6I5N0

I'm sure you could find one for less, or find one at Lowes/Home Depot, with it being so small, as with small drill bits, it will likely break easily.

I don't think they're stupid or cheap. They're buying from international suppliers. That 3/4" plywood is actually 18mm. In many cases they're labeling it as "23/32 inch".

A router bit like this will probably make OP's life easier.

Edit: but I actually came here to plug WW's exact width dado jig, which is simple and brilliant. But you already covered that.

Would something like this be good to add to my toolbox?

I already have a set of Freud straight bits (Point #2). But I didn't think about needing to do templates or trim. That looks like it will do both.

3" long straight cutting router bit (like this one on Amazon). Make a good jig for the router to follow, and make multiple passes so you're not trying to chew through too much wood at one time. 3" bit will get you half way through, then flip lumber and jig over to go rest of way through. A sander will take care of any ridge if you were slightly off with the jig. The jig will also assure all three pieces look identical.

Needing quick advice on carbide bits, buying today

Which one(s) would you buy and a very brief explanation to why?


This is what I'm looking at:

Amazon:

Hiltex 10100 Tungsten Carbide Router Bits

CARBIDE ROUTER BIT SET - 35 piece 1/4 shank NEW BITS by EDMBG

Router Bit Set- 24 Piece Kit with ¼” Shank and Wood Storage Case By Stalwart (Woodworking Tools for Home Improvement and DIY)

Sears:

Craftsman 30 pc. Router Bit Set

Harbor Freight:

Carbide Tip Router Bit Set 12 Pc

Carbide Tip Woodworking Router Bit Set Pc

Note: I'm intentionally NOT wanting a $120+ starter kit, that's by design. I'm also having to budget for carving tips which are gonna cost about $25 each, if you have a favorite brand you use, let me know - I'm willing to go ahead and splurge a bit more on these bits as I tend on using them far more.

I regularly use this set at work and have the higher-HP version (MRC23) for my home shop. It's a great starter set, and if you build the fixed base into a table, it becomes incredibly versatile (the recent versions let you adjust bit depth from above the table with an allen key).

Also great recommendation with MLCS bits. Most of what I buy for home use is from them (though I swear by the big Bosch top-bearing bits for cutting from templates).

I have bought a set of router bits on Amazon,

https://www.amazon.com/Proburs-24pcs-Professional-Multi-Purpose-Wood-Working-Assorted/dp/B07588R2XX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517558529&sr=8-3&keywords=proburs

This quality is awesome, and the price is fair enough...Maybe you can have a try.

I think this set is small enough and cheap enough that it makes sense. Plus, if you want to experiment with the edge treatment that you give a project, it is nice to have a few options. It wouldn't be fun to decide that you want an ogee and then spend the $50 on a nice ogee bit only to change your mind once you try it on some scrap.

I would recommend a spiral bit though if you plan on doing any mortises.

Thanks, good to know, I ordered some limit switches to install.
I have an old raspberry pi 2b, I have read about people running CNCJS. Would that allow me to run it remotely.
Looking to run it in the garage hopefully without a laptop running it, but I could cobble something together.
I do have access to a 3D Printer so I am going to do some upgrades.

I want to mill Hardwood, just outlines for now.
I have some of these bits: https://www.amazon.ca/Carbide-AFUNTA-Milling-Acrylic-Hardwood/dp/B07FGFHTG8/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2EQ6A8Q98GGQ&keywords=cnc+router+bits&qid=1571626316&sprefix=cnc+%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-9
Should that be fine or should I look at something else.

I get some burning with a depth of .5mm per pass and 120mm/min feed rate.

It's unlikely that you're going to get that clean look without buying a router bit.

This one should be great and is under $30.

I just bought these plans from Gregory Paolini and built the jig. Here's a video (poor audio) of a guy using it.

Here's my build: http://imgur.com/a/5G8TT, which I just completed last week. I bought a Whiteside spiral up cut bit which has been amazing so far on my test cuts. I bought some 36" and 24" of this t-track, this set of Incra knobs since I didn't have any and didn't want to make from scratch on the band saw, and a couple of these toggles.

I don't have a good way to mount my dust collection cart yet, but I'm still tweaking it. So far, I'm really happy with the jig.

Really worth trying a 1/8" endmill. They can be had quite cheeply and are available with the same diameter shank as your 1/4" bit.

Have fun cutting stuff and come join us on /r/shapeoko!

I used this one. I think they work pretty well, haven't broken one yet.

Kind of hard to tell, but is it a cove and bead? Looks like the bead is on top, so the opposite of how this is shown.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-85605M-Carbide-Tipped-Cove/dp/B000GY9V00

For most woods, you will want to use a 2 flute straight bit. You won't have enough sfm to use a spiral fluted endmill. I like this one.

Amana Tool 45210 Straight Plunge 1/4-Inch Diameter by 1-Inch Cutting Height by 1/4-Inch Shank Carbide Tipped Router Bit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JJPR46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ciyOBb0K6DWDQ

Yeah this is what you want.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-84603M-Carbide-Plywood-Mortising/dp/B000IZC3C0

Or something like this which is more versatile.

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-perfect-fit-dado-jig-with-50-in-all-in-one-low-profile-contractor-clamp

>I don't understand how some router bits could be $35 each, but this is 16 pieces for essentially $10 each (at full price).

You will when you use them. Cheap router bits are miserable and in some cases dangerous.

The router is by far my favorite power tool. I have several and I use them ALL the time. With that said, I probably have a dozen bits. You don't need the large sets.

Buy an expensive bit when you need one. There are some that you will likely use often, like straight bits. Get high quality 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" bits from Whiteside, Freud (not diablo), Amana, Eagle America, or Infinity.

If you are going to be cutting dados for plywood, get these

Also get a flush trim bit. I do a lot of flush trimming with my router so I use a compression spiral bit. Expensive but well worth it for curved work

They look just like mine that are SKIL brand that I bought on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/SKIL-91015-15-Piece-Router-Bit/dp/B000HLMQNQ

I would assume one like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000225W2/ref=s9_topr_hm_awbw_bkUOtn_g469_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-13&pf_rd_r=YQSASTVW29JW8MF7ZZ85&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=a128bfeb-f285-5281-8515-d8a825a3107d&pf_rd_i=686957011

Just got stuck in the workpiece—I cut waaay too deep. This is the set, if you're interested: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KSOOLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UMYhzbHH2WF4G

There seems to be a bigger set on Amazon for $30 now, though.

I would go with a 1/4" cutting diameter, 1/2" shank. For example, the Whiteside RU4700.

hmmm, can't find any in a quick and dirty search, but using a 1/16th end mill in a press should suffice re: http://www.amazon.com/E700-1-Flute-Single-End-Carbide/dp/B000I6I5N0

followed by a 1/8th extractor; http://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-Screw-Extractor-Spiral-Flute-2RUL8

keeping in mind the extractor goes in counter clockwise, and you'll need a tap handle or similar to twist it.

let me know if i need to do some more googling when i get off work.

look around if you want, using the above as a reference, read reviews, don't automagically get the cheapest thing out there, or the 2nd.

I got the 15 piece Hitex set for less than $20. They seem to be working fairly well - haven't sent more than 100 feet of wood through any of them yet though.

I assume I'll mess them up sooner or later as I'm starting out too, but it's a pretty cheap set, so no real loss. I literally had bits come loose and fly off the router before I realized that I needed to really tighten up the collet too ...


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KSOOLI/ref=s9_top_hd_bw_bD4kJ_g469_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=DXPDQ1W2HBGTWW78PK73&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=7771a85c-b1fb-5864-a037-c5d8ffd938b4&pf_rd_i=3116511