Need advice on 1/8 inch bit

[yobot]

I have a project that has come up where I need to make a moderately complex piece that is made from 1 inch thick solid wood, approximately 7.5 x 6 inches overall. The radius of the curves needs to be >= 1/8 inch.

Is it practical, and does anyone have a source for 1/8 inch bits with shafts long enough to cut 1 inch deep. I understand that the bit would likely have to be HSS rather than carbide, but I have been unable to find any such beast, or even a collet for it to fit in a router since the cutting edge is unlikely (if it can be found at all) to exceed 1 inch.

Speed is not an issue, but I have a large order just waiting on me to say "yes".

Any suggestions appreciated.

This is my first real job with the PRT Alpha in about 3.5 years as I ended up having to deal with the final growth and eventual sale of another business (at a very nice profit). Now we are back full time into an adventure we started a bit over 4 years ago.

Thanks again,
David

[harryball]

Can you accept any taper at all? Onsrud makes tapered 1/8" bits that might do the job. You'd have to go slow and make several passes. You also might see if Centurion Tools could make you a bit. If you could go to 5/32" you might have better luck too.

/RB

[yobot]

Thanks, RB.

I can't have any taper for 1 inch. I could probably get by with some minor changes and use 5/32, but that would be as big as I could go.

If the part were just a bit thinner, I could laser it, but I don't have enough power not to char it at 1 inch thickness.

Thanks,
David

[myxpykalix]

Call Fred over a www.centuriontools.com (http://www.centuriontools.com) they may be able to help you. If anyone is willing to try, these guys are...

[Gary Campbell]

David...
1/8" inside or outside radius? A 1/4" bit will cut an 1/8" inside radius and have the CEL you require. Not many any smaller will.
Gary

[blackhawk]

I know that Centurion makes a 1/4" diameter bit with a CEL of 1-1/4". That have all 3 styles in that length, downshear, upshear, and compression. You can view them on their website.

[yobot]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Gary, the problem is the depth of the inside radius in several spots is either two deep for a 1/4 bit, and in a couple of spots is 1/16.

At least the wood is poplar, so the bit, if I can find one, won't be terribly stressed.

I would remove the smaller radius cuts if possible, but the customer wouldn't be satisfied. I may just have to get close with the 1/4" bit then finish each piece with a scroll saw. Geez, that would be efficient...

I wonder if one of those sheetrock scroll bits would work. Just kidding.

David

[knight_toolworks]

msc carries them 1.125" long 1/8" MSC # 85321164
I bet mcmaster has them too. I bou8ght a bunch on ebay when I was starting out.

[yobot]

I thank you sir Knight!

The number you gave me was for a 1/4" cutter, but they did have quite a few 1/8" bits.

Now, if I can find a collet for a PC router that will handle a 1/8" bit, I am all set to break a bunch of 1/8 bits ;-)

This should be an interesting job. I wonder if the slowest setting on a PC router won't overheat the bit. The question is how fast can I move it without breaking it or over heating it. Maybe it is time to buy the spindle.

Thanks,
David

[yobot]

I think I am Google cursed. My wife can find anything, all I seem to find is bizarre medical references


Does anyone have any suggestion on which end mill is likely to take the greatest amount of unintentional punishment and remain intact? If you care to look, here is the search page from msc. Opinions welcomed.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2DRVSH?PACACHE=000000063040150#NOANCHOR

Thanks,
David

[srwtlc]

I've used some of the ones from MSC. They are ATRAX #85314086.

You'll get waterline marks on the edge as you step down for each pass. These things deflect a lot, but if you can clean up the cut afterwords, you may be ok.

Because of the fact that they deflect easily, it's tough to make a clean up pass at full depth because they tend to chatter.

They are pretty tough though. I cut a lot of through holes in hard maple with them awhile ago with a PC Router. They'd do better in a spindle.

I don't know if there's a 0.125" collet for a PC, but MLCS has a set of spacers that worked well for me. http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bushing_ball_bearings.html

[yobot]

Thanks for the info, Scott. I will give both a try.

I wish I had purchased a spindle when I bought the bot. Money wasn't the issue at the time. I am going to use the PC until I wear it and the spare out, then I will buy a spindle - if I can stand the noise that long


I believe I can clean up the cuts pretty well. Poplar is soft and I am patient, mostly.

David

[jerry_stanek]

Have you tried the roto zip bits?

[yobot]

I thought about it. Haven't tried them. I really considered it more of a joke than anything else.

Are they long enough to do the job? How well do they handle wood?

David

[jporter]

Have you tried a web-site called "www.precisebits.com (http://www.precisebits.com)". I think they may have what you want in both the bit and the collett. joe

[yobot]

Folks, many thanks to all of you. I not only have sources now, but options as well.

Maybe I just can't google something simple like "1/8 inch router collet" and get any usable results. The more specific, the worse the results. Places like precisebits.com never showed up on any of my searches. I started an electronics engineering business in 1988. In 1994, I added full internet services to it when most people had never heard of email, and the "world wide web" was a new term/phrase. We finally sold all of it in the summer of 2006. You would think I would have figured out how to "google"...


Maybe if I had asked my wife to do it.....

In any case, I appreciate you folks!

David

[zeykr]

David,
Here is link to MLCS bushings:
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/orderstatus/html/smarthtml/pages/bushing_ball_bearings.html

I used them with 1/8 and smaller cutter diameters quite a bit when I had a porter cable router.

[paulkiecka]

Porter Cable No. 43224 is a "1/4 shank chuck assembly for cutout tool". the shank is about 5/8" long and fits in a regular PC collet. it tightens with a small hex screw set its side. that might work for you.

[jerry_stanek]

I have cut some comatex with a roto zip bit on my bot and it cut that clean.

[yobot]

I looked up the roto bits, and there are a lot more of them now than when I first saw them used years ago.

I found 20 packs for $23 on Amazon..

I may buy some to try out. Too late for now as I have already purchased some bits.

I wonder if they would stand up as long as the carbide bits I bought. Oh well. I imagine that the cutters I bought won't have an issue with staying straight when hot. I'm not so sure about the roto tool bits. Might be like a set of cheap drill bits
... Maybe not...

Thanks for the info!
David