Wich Router Bits Do You Use The Most?

[jetblast]

I just bought a cnc router and I just ordered the Hitachi router. I have some money saved up to buy the router bits, and I would like to know which bits are the most used. As far as working on wood,corian,plexiglass, etc.I hear so much about "V" and 90 degress and so on and on. If you can post your most used bits, It will help me get started. Thanks

[ger21]

Buy what YOU need, not what everyone else uses. If you buy bits based on others suggestions, you'll end up with bits that you won't use. Buy based on what you are doing.

Material alone isn't really enough info to pick a bit. Tell us exactly what you want to do and then we can point you in the right direction.

[skottc]

Hi. My company http://www.ocip.comhas many routers and we use a wide variety of bits. Most of the time we try to use Amana routers. They produce an decent edge quality on plexiglass and other plastics and don't have to worry so much about damaging them since they are inexpensive. On thicker acrylic/ plexiglass or when using bits .25 or less we use Onsrud bits. They make great tooling, however cost alot more on diameters .375 and greater. It's safer to start out cheep and then play with more pricey bits.

Scott

[jetblast]

Well, I guess Im just trying to get ready for when all the electronics get here, I have everything ready to go. And not wait a week or so to order bits from a website. Maybe someone can post wich bits they started cutting with.

[woodman08]

I have found now that the v bits are good,nothing bigger than 5/8 dia straight carbide are goos and 1/4 end mills are very good --flat and round

[morgandeo]

Hi,
A router bit fitted with a bearing or less commonly, a steel pin coming from it’s top. The bearing rubs the edge of the workpiece and limits the cut of the bit.Amana is a major manufacturer of high quality router bits.

[woodman08]

you're right the v bits are good a selection would do no harm,after that 1/4 end mills solid carbide flat and bull nosed ,thats it.
Maybe a treat with a few onsrut spirals
i have a case full but the end mills are mostly used

[Khalid]

12.7 mm 90 degree v-bit, 6mm and 3mm ball nose bit, 12mm, 6mm endmills...

[gfc62]

The bit I use most often is a 1/4 up spiral. Second would be the same in 3/8. This is for cutting out MDF/plywood/hardwood parts on my CNC router.

A compression spiral would probably be better but I'm too cheap to buy one.

V bits are useful for sign work, lettering, and 2.5D carving. Ball end bits are great for carving work as well.

Not sure about the suggestion for bits with bearings I don't see this would be useful for a CNC, more for a router table or free-hand routing.

The post that asked about what you intend to cut was right on target, that will determine the best bit selection.

Since you're just starting out, my suggestion would be to buy a couple pieces of MDF and if there's a Harbor Freight store near you go buy some cheap bits there. The sell 1/4 spirals $7 for 3 They're HSS not carbide and don't make the cleanest cuts but are great for experimenting, no great loss if you snap a bit. I don't see it on the site but in my local store they also had a set of 5 1/4" bits for under $10 that included a V bit and ball nose bit.

[rcpilot82]

I am In the same position as jetblast. I will be cutting mostly depron(foam), balsa,mdf, and acrillic. I was told that 2 flute hss uncoated bits is what I should use. I don't want to get the expensive bits just yet as I am still learning, but I have no idea what bits I should get first, and from where.

[ger21]

HSS bits won't last a minute in mdf. Carbide is mandatory.

[gfc62]

Originally Posted by ger21 HSS bits won't last a minute in mdf. Carbide is mandatory.

While I agree that carbide is necessary for any serious work in MDF I think you're exaggerating about HSS not lasting a minute.

Last week when setting up a new machine I'm building I pulled out one of the HF HSS 1/4" bits and cut about 30 each of 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4" 1/2 deep circular pockets in 3/4 MDF. Following that I cut about 100 inches of 3/4" profiles (1/4" on each of 3 passes) in the same MDF. These were all test cuts and the edges had some fuzziness but the bit was cutting pretty good for something costing less than $2.50.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting anyone use these for production work but my suggestion was that for learning on a new machine I'd rather break or burn a cheap bit than an expensive one.