SpeTool Extra Long CNC Spiral Router Bits with Up Cut 1/8 inch Cutting Diameter, 1/4 inch Shank 3 inch Extra Long HRC55 Solid Carbide End Mill for Wood Cut, Carving
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Aaliyah Zemlak
> 3 dayI was using this to try to make some cutouts in 18mm (~3/4in) baltic birch plywood on my new CNC machine. My practice cuts on foam worked fantastically, and it initially cut cleanly on the plywood as well. However, the bit seemed to dull pretty quickly. I noticed it wasnt cutting cleanly on my 3rd or 4th run (feathered shavings, torn edges). I dont have another 1/8 bit, so I kept going, hoping to get through the 4 patterns needed to make to finish my project. I almost finished the first one when the bit bound up in the wood and jumped, causing the work product to move, and the CNC happily drove it right through the edge of my nearly complete cut. I started over, and at about 3/8 deep it bound up again; I hit the estop this time to save my work (Ill just rough cut it on the bandsaw and use a flush trim to clean up the edge), but when I looked the bit had snapped in two. I guess this is what I should expect for a $16 bit, and Im not that sad that the bit broke, but Im kinda pissed that I ruined so much work product; wood is expensive these days! I guess you get what you pay for, though for $16 Id expect to get more than 2 days worth of cutting out of it. The bit was probably only running for a total of 8 or 9 hours before it broke. Update: I contacted the manufacturer and asked for a replacement. I just received a 1/8 downcut bit in the mail that was broken on arrival... so not only was it broken, but they sent the wrong bit. At this point Im just cutting my losses, but I know not to purchase anything from this company again.