Brand New Shopbotter, the first of lots of questions.

[blake_koehn]

Hi, I have a sign business in Mississippi. Those of you that are over on the Letterville forums will know me.

I just got back from picking up a used 48x96 PRT with a Colombo Spindle. I have purchased Aspire, and am working on getting familiar with that.

Now for my first question.

I do not have any bits for my machine. What would you recommend ordering? I plan on cutting HDU, Wood, and maybe some cheap foam for practice.

Thanks
Blake

[harryball]

A good assortment is always a good start. You can get more economical bits to start with and the ones you wear out, replace with better bits.

Centurion tools is offering a discount on their starter kits for Christmas, I have their 1/4" and 3/8" starter bit sets and they are a good value. The Onsrud starter kit that Shopbot offers is also a good value and I have it as well. Beyond that I buy specific bits for specific jobs, just bought 7 3/8" straight cut bits with a 1/4" shank for a job that all of them will likely be worn out on.

Congrats on the bot and good luck!

/RB

[blake_koehn]

Bump

[andyb]

I agree with Robert. Centurion starter kits are the way to go to get an assortment of bits. I've purchased their 60deg v-bits, 1/8" ballnose and 1/4" straight bits from them. I use alot of 3/8" bits also.

Andy B.

[myxpykalix]

Your various vbits will be used mostly for vcarving your signs along with ballnose bits for cutting 3d carvings so a centurion starter kit with an assortment of 60, 90, 120 vbits and 1/8th and 1/4 ballnose (allthough i don't use the 1/4 ballnose much) along with 1/4" spirals and 1/2" spirals should cover you pretty good to start with anyway. Call fred...

[zeykr]

For sign work, I sure like the Hersaf indexable insert V bits. Costs a bit to get started, but cheaper in the long run and they work well.

Shopbot also sells a starterbit set.

[bcondon]

I am new and purchased:
1. Starter kit from Shopbot which are Onsrud bits
2. Her Saf 120degree 1.25 " wide for all lettering

That is enough to get started. I have made several signs both vcarve (with 120 degree 1.25) and engraved with .25 down cut (from the starter kit)

I am very happy so far!