Porter Cable vgroove bit is piece of junk.

[LazyMan]

I bought a portercable vgroove bit from Home depot. I would never have done that but I really wanted to get something cut out for the next day so I baught the 1/4 90 degree v grooving bit. The bit doesnt even cut a V It cuts a V with the bottom of it cut off. I foolishly did not even look carefully at the cutter geometry before buying it. Boy I feel real dumb. I may be missing something but am just giving a warning to stay away from it.

[georgeburns]

Originally Posted by LazyMan I bought a portercable vgroove bit from Home depot. I would never have done that but I really wanted to get something cut out for the next day so I baught the 1/4 90 degree v grooving bit. The bit doesnt even cut a V It cuts a V with the bottom of it cut off. I foolishly did not even look carefully at the cutter geometry before buying it. Boy I feel real dumb. I may be missing something but am just giving a warning to stay away from it.

Do you have a pic of it? Most of the PC bits I have are real nice.

[LazyMan]

Ill get a pic of it when I get my camera. Just to clarify, Im not beating down on Porter Cable bits as a whole, just that particular cutter. I like their router so far.

[HuFlungDung]

It is not possible to make a cutting edge (with clearance) on a rotating cutter that is sharp right to the point, and have the point on center.

This is because creating the clearance for the cutting edge grinds an eccentric which grinds the true centerpoint completely away. What is left will still be 'pointy' but it will be offset by some small amount.

For woodwork, you might be able to get away with a bit that does not actually have any cutting edge right on the center, just a small cone. This will drag through the work, and not cut, but its scriber effect may work to some extent.

To clean up a V would probably require a second cut with a small spade type cutter. This would technically not have any conical clearance in order to keep the tip intact and on center. In woodwork, it will probably clean the groove up quite well without unduly stressing the tip and breaking it off.

[LazyMan]

It is not possible to make a cutting edge (with clearance) on a rotating cutter that is sharp right to the point, and have the point on center.

Yeah I kind of figured that, but this just seemed like a rediculous amount to me. Ill try a small spade type cutter.

[bp092]

The pc home depot bits are junk, made for home owners. Buy good tools and they will do you good work and last a long time. I've got whiteside (my favorite) bits that I have been using off and on for a year now and they are still sharp.