Router Bit Suggestions

[Think713]

Hey everyone,
So we run an older colex router. I believe its an SX series... We use a er25 collet with a 6-5 shank diameter. The bits we get for routing aluminum and ACM are constantly chipping. Even for carbide bits I think this is a bit too frequent. All of the colex bits from their site seem to be single flutes, but we are looking at endmill bits for cleaner and more consistent cuts. Is this something we should try or do any of you have some solid suggestions for bits that will get through more than like 2 (4x8) before the bit starts fraying edges.

https://toolstoday.com/v-15030-48430-k.html. I found this bit here, and I think this might be a good option, but again looking for experienced suggestions.

We mostly cut: Acrylic, ACM, Poly Carb, PVC, Styrene, and Coro.

 

[John Miller]

Be sure you have your rpm and ipm settings correct, I've never had a single flute bit chip. Post what your settings are and the material thickness, type & number of passes. With that info people will be able to give you advice.

 

[packratsigns]

I've only used Belin Bits for over 25 years
The Amana brand is good but I have''nt used them.

13317 - 1/8 - for acrylic
33317 - 1/8" - for aluminum

33476 - 3/16" - aluminum
13476 - 3/16" - acrylic

33635 - 3/16" - aluminum
13635 - 3/16" - acrylic

Send me a private message if you want more info.

 

[tulsagraphics]

I'm "somewhat" new to real CNC work -- just got my first "big" CNC a few months ago, even though I've run Belins on a small Roland engraver for the past decade. ACM is soft. The only time I've had issues is when I ran cheap bits. Spend the extra $50 -- use a high quality Belin or Amana and you shouldn't have issues. Of course you need to get the IPM/RPM rates dialed in correctly. Expensive bits cost less than substrate damage or dealing with a bunch of unnecessary finishing work.

 

[fixtureman]

You may want to get a new collet as they do wear and some times wobble a little.

 

[Think713]

Be sure you have your rpm and ipm settings correct, I've never had a single flute bit chip. Post what your settings are and the material thickness, type & number of passes. With that info people will be able to give you advice.

To be totally transparent, we just go with whatever defaults in the colex software for said material. Its never been a consideration, but it absolutely makes sense that it would.

 

[Think713]

I'm "somewhat" new to real CNC work -- just got my first "big" CNC a few months ago, even though I've run Belins on a small Roland engraver for the past decade. ACM is soft. The only time I've had issues is when I ran cheap bits. Spend the extra $50 -- use a high quality Belin or Amana and you shouldn't have issues. Of course you need to get the IPM/RPM rates dialed in correctly. Expensive bits cost less than substrate damage or dealing with a bunch of unnecessary finishing work.

Yea I wouldn't say we are using cheap bits cause we buy them direct from colex, but that doesn't mean they aren't. The general consensus between all of you has been Belin and Amana so, I think its a good direction.

 

[nastewart0521]

I'd highly suggest using these guys https://www.americanbitworks.com/ aka box canyon solutions.

They have a lot of options for the materials you are cutting as well as chipload info so you can dial in your cutting parameters. As always though, make sure to do a test cut when you are cutting any material.

 

[JBurton]

13317 - 1/8 - for acrylic
33317 - 1/8" - for aluminum

I use these, but I find the 33317A breaks less than the 33317 version. That being said, I've replaced a couple of collets after a bit broke right at the collet and it buggered the opening. I could probably offset the cost with less maintenance issues.
I like their 1/4 for thick acrylics, 13635. The aluminum version is far too loud for my liking though.

 

[tulsagraphics]

You may want to get a new collet as they do wear and some times wobble a little.

oh yeah. and... be sure to clean your collet/nut/spindle between bit swaps. The debris can cause runout (bit wobble)

 

[StarSign]

We have started using the bits from www.xedgetools.com and really like the cut and the life.

 

[Think713]

We have started using the bits from www.xedgetools.com and really like the cut and the life.

XR2062M-CB 6mm - X-Edge

Product Details Part Number: XR2062M-CB Diameter: 6mm Shank Size: 6mm Cut Length: 25mm Overall Length: 64mm Flutes: 3 Flute Direction: Upspiral Materials: UHMW, HDPE, HDU, PVC, Acrylic, Phenolic, Solid Surface, ACM etc.

www.xedgetools.com

Taking a look this looks like this bit would hit all the marks for us... Have you by chance used this one at all?
This initial inquiry also kind of started from wanting to look into using more than 1 flute on the bit because one of our employees that used to do machining said that more flutes equal more cutting surfaces and just cleaner finishing... BUT I've also read for what we're doing that the single flutes are the best so I'm not entirely sure what the truth of that actually is.

 

[StarSign]

Can't say we have used that specific bit, all I can say is, the guy who runs the router really loves these X-Edge bits.

 

[tulsagraphics]

XR2062M-CB 6mm - X-Edge

Product Details Part Number: XR2062M-CB Diameter: 6mm Shank Size: 6mm Cut Length: 25mm Overall Length: 64mm Flutes: 3 Flute Direction: Upspiral Materials: UHMW, HDPE, HDU, PVC, Acrylic, Phenolic, Solid Surface, ACM etc.

www.xedgetools.com

Taking a look this looks like this bit would hit all the marks for us... Have you by chance used this one at all?
This initial inquiry also kind of started from wanting to look into using more than 1 flute on the bit because one of our employees that used to do machining said that more flutes equal more cutting surfaces and just cleaner finishing... BUT I've also read for what we're doing that the single flutes are the best so I'm not entirely sure what the truth of that actually is.

When I researched bits, I contacted multiple manufacturers about which bits should be used for which materials. Single-flute up-cut spiral bit (for ACM/ACP) was unanimous across the board. So that's what I went with. My edges are perfect. Single-flute evacuates chips faster too (better heat removal, longer tool life).
That's not to say other bits can't work. In some cases you might need a down cut or compression (e.g. graphics on top / bottom / both).

 

[bowtievega]

We use Onsrud single flute up cut spiral bits for almost everything. We also use down cut bits for our ACM as that is printed first the majority of the time. Help keep those parts in place when they are small and prevents chipping of the ink. Those multiple flute bits need alot of feed rate to take advantage of the additional cutting edges. If you are cutting large simple parts they might work well but in our experience they weren't worth it and the edge quality we got was sub par at the speeds we typically run.