Hogger/Rougher Recommendations - Hardwood

[DragonXtreme]

I am looking for some tool recommendations for roughing out large chunks of hardwood at a pretty fast rate. Ideally the tool OAL would be no less than 5", 7" would be great, with a 3/4" or 1" diameter. Due to the geometry of the final product I am looking at plunges up to 4" in depth so LOC of 2"-3" would be preferred.

I have several bits that I am using that are of these specs but they are not the best performers in the long run since they are more on the finishing side in there performance. I need something that is just going to chew threw Hickory and ask for more when its done. I will let the finishers take off the last 1/4" of material for the smooth finish.

Thanks for any information supplied

[ger21]

Not cheap at $400.

http://www.vortextool.com/index.cfm?...category_id=17

I use a 1/2" to rip through 1" plywood. Really quiet, too.

[DragonXtreme]

How is the wear life on those bits?

My problem in most of the wood I cut if the bit isn't coated I get crap for life out of them, so when I get bits in that are uncoated I will use them and when I send them off for sharpening, I then get them coated, wear life triples for me after that.

[ger21]

I use them on plywood, which is really hard on them. I'll usually cut about 25-40 sheets with them, with each sheet containing a lot of cutting, probably removing about 15-20% of the sheet.

Just checked, and when you add to the cart, you get a $118 discount, so the actual cost is only $267, which is much more reasonable.

[Big-tex]

In production environment for me onsrud has proven to me be far superior then vortex. If speeds are concern, use 3 flute and keep in mind chip load charts are your friend.