Planning Bit

[cwshop]

I have be planning live edge slabs with various cutters that do all right. I am looking from others, what a better solution of a real planning bit to use. My Bot has the porter cable router 3 1/4 hp, so I need one compatible with it. Also feeds and speeds that work and how much can be taken off per pass.

[coryatjohn]

I use a Magnate 2709 Surface Planing (Bottom Cleaning) Router Bit - 3" Cutting Diameter as a planing end mill. Big end mills like this should turn slowly. I use 8k RPM's and depending on the wood, can take up to 1/4", 6 ips. Harder, dryer woods I take less of a bite.

For a router, you probably won't have the torque to use such a large, heavy end mill. I suggest using one 2" or even 1-1/2" maximum with a router. Just be sure it's a bottom cleaning end mill which have cutters that go all the way to the center.