1/16" end mill with 1/4" shank

[tonychanman]

Hi everyone,

I've built myself a 5x10 cnc machine and I've been cutting some small detail projects in some formica. It's a very thin aluminum face with a cork backing like a laminate, typically used for cabinets. Anyways, the cuts are very small so I use a 1/16" end mill for the work. I managed to find a couple for sale from sherlinedirect who sell 1/6" bits with a 1/4" shank, but they're all upcut bits. I'm looking for anywhere I can find a downcut bit. Using the upcut bit, I'm getting a lot of pull on the material. I can't seem to get a clean edge on the cuts using the upcut, even when putting the good side facing down.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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[ger21]

How about with a 1/8" shank?

1 16" 0625" Carbide 2 Flute Endmills Soft Plastic Kyocera Tycom | eBay

[tonychanman]

Unfortunately my router only takes 1/2" and 1/4" shanks. Unless I can get a 1/8" collet which fits a generic router.

[bhurts]

Check Lowe's hardware online. I think they had 1/16 but don't hold me to it.

Ben

[ger21]

Not ideal, but you can get a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter (bushing).

[tonychanman]

Thanks for the suggestion. I went ahead and ordered that bit with a bushing adapter. I hope it works out.

[RicknBeachcrest]

Check out drillman1 on ebay. I'm a satisfied customer.

drillman1 on eBay

[tonychanman]

Thanks for the link. Those are some great prices, I'll probably buy my end mills and bits from them going forward.

[RicknBeachcrest]

I have a porter cable 690 and one of the reasons for selecting this router was that I could get an 1/8" collet from precise bits. They also sell collets for a number of other routers.
Collets, Nuts and Toolholders
They are kind of pricey, but are worth it in my opinion. With an 1/8" collet you can use a variety of smaller bits.

[tonychanman]

Well I don't do a ton of precise routing. I mainly use my CNC do large cuts in 3/4" plywood so my main bit is a 1/4" up cut spiral bit. I don't see myself really doing a lot of this small scale machining so I hope the adapter will do the trick. I just replaced the router a few weeks ago when my mastercraft crapped out on me and then I broke my Bosch when I changed the brushes. I've got a hitatchi in there now which seems to be doing the job.

[tonychanman]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I was able to get the job done with the 1/16" downcut bit with the 1/8" shank by using an adapter to fit my router. Cuts were clean and smooth.