[pendentive]

I am setting up a Romaxxcnc HS-1 and need some advice on which bits to use.

I will be cutting parts out of Phenolic (micarta - similar to circuitboard, but thicker 1/4"-3/8") as well as G10 (fiberglass + resin) for knife handles (full tang).


Here's what I have in mind so far:

For general cutting:

1/4" ball end mill, HSS, 2-flute, TiN coated
mcmastercarr.com 8900A21


For profiling and pocketing (for handle bolts):

1/8" end mill, HSS, 4-flute, TiN coated, center-cutting
mcmastercarr.com 8918A41


Let me know if I'm on the right track.

As you can probably tell...this is completely new to me!

Thanks for any help.

Dan

[fizzissist]

mscdirect.com

usshoptools.com

The difference is McMaster ships unbelievably fast. With MSC and US Shoptools
you know what brand you're getting.

....for your application, especially with fiberglass? HSS won't stand up.

Think too of endmills with corner radius when possible.

[louieatienza]

I am setting up a Romaxxcnc HS-1 and need some advice on which bits to use.

I will be cutting parts out of Phenolic (micarta - similar to circuitboard, but thicker 1/4"-3/8") as well as G10 (fiberglass + resin) for knife handles (full tang).


Here's what I have in mind so far:

For general cutting:

1/4" ball end mill, HSS, 2-flute, TiN coated
mcmastercarr.com 8900A21


For profiling and pocketing (for handle bolts):

1/8" end mill, HSS, 4-flute, TiN coated, center-cutting
mcmastercarr.com 8918A41


Let me know if I'm on the right track.

As you can probably tell...this is completely new to me!

Thanks for any help.

Dan

The G10 will eat up HSS tooling. I cut quite a bit for a client, and use a variety of tools to get the job done.

For drilling 1/4" holes, I use a 60 degree tip drill mill from Enco. If I need to make larger holes, I'll start out with the drill mill, and open it up with woth Onsrud 66-900 (coated)or 67-000 (uncoated) fiberglass and composites router; it looks like a burr but are actually cutting edges that grind the fibers away. For pocketing and profiling I use Onsrud 68-200 PCD SERF cutter. They also make a ballnose PCD 68-400. They cost a fortune if buy them at Onsrud's online store. Rather I get them though their eBay aucions at about 70-80% savings...

For regular phenolics I've used regular wood router bits just fine. If you use spiral bits make sure they're for wood (or even composites), I had some issues using endmills. Spiral O flute bits seem to work decently with phenolics and G10 as well...

Pics and descriptions here:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...criptions.html

[pendentive]

What about these?

30855A47

and

30855A41

Both are Cobalt, 4 flute, with corner radius

mcmastercarr.com



Dan

[louieatienza]

What about these?

30855A47

and

30855A41

Both are Cobalt, 4 flute, with corner radius

mcmastercarr.com



Dan

I don't think cobalt is strong enough... If G10 eats up even carbide, then it will chew up cobalt.

[louieatienza]

Onsrud PCL532186 1/4" 2 pack Solid Carbide Fiberglass Router Bits | eBay

[pendentive]

I drill G10 with TiN HSS everyday in my drill press. I understand that milling at high speed in more dimensions will wear it out faster. I guess I'll just have to try and see what happens.

I ordered the 2 above in cobalt steel. We'll see how it goes.

Dan

[louieatienza]

Cool, let us know how it goes... the bits in the link above are way cheaper than the McMaster endmills, however, with free shipping, so it may be a good idea to pick up a few.

[pendentive]

Cool - just saw your link. I think I missed it when I replied.
I'll check them out.

Dan

[pendentive]

I'm an idiot - I ordered 3/8" shank thinking my router would accept them. Nope, just 1/4". no adapters available either.


louieatienza - I picked up a pack of those onsrud bits. Do you have a link for some 1/8" carbide bits? I figured I'd need 1/4" for roughing and 1/8" for finishing.

[pendentive]

I found this one at MSC

MSC #: 41244716

[louieatienza]

You can buy direct from Onsrud, p/n 67-003 fiberglass router, 1/8" diameter

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