Bits that are Required

[crash5050]

Required might not be the correct word, but let's say recommended.

I have bought the starter kit, and I have a few 1/4 inch downcut endmills, and a set of 1/4 1/8 and 1/16th tapered ball nose bits, and I think I have on 1/th inch end mill.

Eventually, I want to be able to cut cabinet boxes, and some signs.

What bits woudl you guys recommend that I stock up on?

David

[bleeth]

Don't "stock up" on anything (except a table top surfacer) at this point until you have something specific to cut for a specific project planned, know what materials you are going to use, and then get what is right for that project.

[dana_swift]

When you are first starting, just cut air for your first time or two. No bits required. Then try pink foam from home depot. The starter bits will be fine, as all you are trying to do is learn to cut anything. Foam is really easy to cut.. although it makes a lot of pink fuzz!

Then I suggest you cut some scrap wood. Pallette lumber is perfect! Then you have to hold it down and cut some test cuts.

Experiment with cut speeds and depths, are you getting a router or spindle? Get an idea of what the machine can do. If you have a standard shopbot, figure a cut speed of 3 inches per second is a nominal rate. If you have an alpha you will find it cuts very well at 5 or 6 inches per second.

What you will also learn is speed makes the cuts rougher, and you will develop ways to get the results you want and the production speeds you need.

Lots of experience to get. No doubt you will end up with quite a collection of bits. While you are learning, download the excellent tutorial on router bits posted here on the forum. That will help you figure out what you need.

As to stocking up.. I do recommend you buy two or three of whatever you decide on. When you are learning the machine breaking them happens much more often.

When I started out I used a lot of quarter inch end mills, then I went through a phase of using a lot of eighth inch end mills. These days I seem to be using a lot of quarter inch end mills again. Then there is the issue of upspiral and down spiral. Read up on the tutorial on bits, each have their application.

Good luck- and hope that helps. Definitely check out that tutorial.

D

[blackhawk]

David - The bits that you have so far are all good. I would suggest a surfacing bit for your table. I would also suggest an 1/2" endmill, 1/8" endmill, and an 1/4" compression endmill. I would get all these in a downcut style. I rarely use an upcut bit, mainly when cutting plastics. If you want to do any V-carving, you should get a CMT 60 degree laser point bit. This has become my go to bit for V-carving.