1/4" or 1/2" bits for Melamine?

[matt_raymond60]

Getting ready to (hopefully) use our Bot for cutting out a bunch (at least 46 cabinets worth) of one-sided Melamine material for the first time. Luckily we will be laminating one side after cutting it for this job but I would still like to get good cuts on both sides just to practice for future two sided melamine jobs. I was reading through the old posts to help me decide which compression bit to order and it dawned on me that I don't have the most commonly discussed option. Lots of talk about using 3/8" compression bits but I only have 1/4" and 1/2" collets for my router. Which size would you all recommend that I get? This job doesn't have any dados or anything like that to cut, just cutting out the box pieces. One piece per cabinet will have a curved section. Even if I only cut that piece on the Bot that is where I am hoping that having it will pay off. My guys are pretty fast on the table saw so all the straight cuts might be faster to do that way.

I am thinking seriously about buying a spindle but it won't happen before this job.

Also, I have never bought mortise compression bits before. Do they all have an upcut section near the tip or is that something special that I need to look for? Thanks in advance for the input!

[michael_schwartz]

Both OEM and after market 3/8" collets are available for the PC router.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21401&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=aff&utm_campaign=GAN&CFID=78786125&CFTOKEN=74c5edba76e53df0-230D0FA0-F88B-77A3-1635EB84C8C5F33E

http://www.precisebits.com/products/equipment/pc_collets_nuts.asp


Posted above sources for reference, shopping may yield better prices. 1/4" bits tend to flex, and if you can, cutting with a 3/8" bit might prevent a few headaches.

[matt_raymond60]

My shopbot came with a Dewalt router. It hasn't quit yet so I am going to use it until it blows.

[michael_schwartz]

Just another link, they are likely available for the Dewalt as well.

http://www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&q=3/8%22+collets+for+dewalt+router&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=09dUTIOgF4P_8Aao2pnnBA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CEAQrQQwAg

[matt_raymond60]

Ahhh, thank you! That would be too easy.

[daski]

You will find that 1/2 bit is hard on the router, will push the board around a lot more, is noisier, and doesn't last any longer than a smaller bit. We use 1/4 from Centurion and love them. We keep track of our bit usage and average over 25 sheets per bit.

The mortise cut has a shorter upcut edge.

We cut the full sheet climb cut leaving 1/16" onion skin, then the second pass is conventional and cuts through. I space the parts 14mm (9/16") apart on the sheet, that way the bit is always cutting fresh wood and always under the same strain.

We get perfect cuts that go straight to the bander.

We inspect parts from each sheet. When you hold the edge up to the light you can see when the bit starts to dull and change it before it starts to chip.

We modified the Z Zero routine so that 0 is actually 30 thou in the table. We always get good cut through since we did this.

Expect the bit to deflect, we tell the software that the bit is .245 and get good results. This allows for slop in the system and bit deflection.

Try a couple on this job, I'm sure you'll be happy.