Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

[Goemon]

What spindle speed and feeds do you guys use for surfacing a spoil-board with a fly cutter?

I picked up these two cutters:



They don't seem to be covered by the usual online speeds and feed calcs I use.

Similar Threads:

• Problem- Post is not outputting feeds, spindle speed or tool change number? Please Help
• Routing 3/4" birch plywood - Feeds, speeds, bit type, etc.
• Which tool bit type for surfacing aluminum with a fly cutter?
• Feeds, speeds, and bits for plywood
• Taig Fly Cutter Feed/Speed

[ger21]

A flu cutter is not an appropriate tool for surfacing a spoilboard and is not safe in any router spindle, unless you can use it under 1000 rpm.

You want something like this.
https://www.amanatool.com/rc-2255-cn...outer-bit.html

Or even a plane carbide tipped router bit with a large diameter.

[Goemon]

A flu cutter is not an appropriate tool for surfacing a spoilboard and is not safe in any router spindle, unless you can use it under 1000 rpm.

You want something like this.
https://www.amanatool.com/rc-2255-cn...outer-bit.html

Or even a plane carbide tipped router bit with a large diameter.

Thanks. I've ordered a pair.

Out of interest, is it the spindle speed that makes a fly cutter unsafe (I.e. that the carbide cutter might come loose and get launched at me) or is it the material (I.e. fire risk with wood)?

My spindle actually can go as low as 1000 rpm (or at least the manual said it's rated for that). It's electric fan cooled but it doesn't pack much of a punch at that speed.

[ger21]

Yes, you can't spin a fly cutter very fast without creating an incredible amount if vibration, and it might even come flying out of the spindle.

[ger21]

You can use that Amana tool at 10,000-13,000 and 300-600ipm.

[Goemon]

Yes, you can't spin a fly cutter very fast without creating an incredible amount if vibration, and it might even come flying out of the spindle.

I experienced that first hand yesterday when I turned it on at 6000 rpm for a few seconds...

My machine is 1000lb + of Epoxy granite and is usually super quiet. It sounded like a helicopter landed on it with the fly cutter in there. It was enough to make me turn it off without cutting anything.

It was a really strange sound....

Hopefully the Amana tools are better balanced for high speed.

[ger21]

On our 10,000 lb router at work, if a small chip gets between the spindle and toolholder during a toolchange, it sounds the same way, with just the toolholder of by a few thousandths.

[Goemon]

On our 10,000 lb router at work, if a small chip gets between the spindle and toolholder during a toolchange, it sounds the same way, with just the toolholder of by a few thousandths.

I remember reading about balanced tools. Now I understand the significance.

I assume your 10,000 lb router has a far larger cutting area than mine but, if I understand right, the point is that it doesn't matter how robust a machine is. Unbalanced tools make an upsetting sound and those who ignore it could meet a grizzly end...

The new high speed spindle appropriate surfacing tools arrive and they make a much more pleasing sound and cut.

Thank you (again). You helped me dodge a bullet (almost literally) with this one.