Router bit advice

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Pretoria, South Africa
I am working on a Bubinga table with a 2" top. Busy joining the top now for width. The top is 2.8m long, and because I couldn't get planks that long I have to join them in the lengthn as well. So I start with two planks in length and two in width, glue them with Festo dominos and let it dry. Then I use a straight edge with a router to cut the edges true, and join one extra set onto it. SO it is one plank per evening in width.

My question is - the router bit I currently use is old and blunt, and although I sharpen it frequently it is time to replace it. So, I am looking for advice on which 1/2 shaft router bit to use. Brand? Upshear, downshear or straight? Do you get bits with 3 cutting surfaces? It must be able to cut more than 2" high.


Thanks.
Uys
 
I have a Whiteside router bit, RU5150, 1/2" shank, 1-1/2" cutting length, spiral upcut, solid carbide. It is absolutely fabulous, sharp as the dickens and stays that way. It is available in a 2" length. With a good straight edge, it would do what you propose.
 
I have had this problem, as well, when I was building custom furniture for a living. You might look into 1/2" 2 flute right hand twist end mills as machinists use. For your application, the shear is irrelevant. You have much more choice in length with end mills, and here they are much less expensive than router bits. Check with a machinist for suppliers. It has been years since I bought router bits or end mills, but as I recall, end mills were about one third the cost.
 
Instead of using Dominoes, I would use a half lap joint. You can make the lap lengths as you want. For router bits, Amana has a very good long flush trim bit, available in a 2 or 3 flute, single or double bearings. If you use a straightedge and a flush trim bit, and the cutting length (the flutes) are a bit short, make a second pass.



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+1 on Whiteside for duration of edge. I used to go through 2 - 3 of the bargain bits before the Whiteside bit would even show signs of losing its edge. I did the math and only buy bargain bits now, on clearance, when they are a few bucks; use 'em and toss 'em. Whiteside sharpens their bits for a very reasonable price as well so, you sharpen less often and less expensively as well. In the long run, you can't beat the math.
 
I have not used Infinity but, many folks whom I respect on this forum speak highly of them and that's good enough for me. Fro a purely mathematical test, here's a review. Not surprisingly Whiteside and Eagle America tied as Eagle's more expensive "USA Made" bits are made by Whiteside. If you can't view the review, here's a snapshot:

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The usual grain of salt should be applied.
 
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I like infinety bits. I use alot of them for cabinet making. Carol is right, end mills are a great option over router bits. I used to get mine from the machine shop that did my repairs.
 
Good one, Bruce. End mills are designed for metal work and I used them for aluminum as well. I also used them in acrylic, especially when I had the CNC. In wood i would think sharpness would not be something to be concerned about. I used them mostly with BB ply where you have to deal with all those glue lines - touch on cutting edges. Never scored one, meaning leaving ribs due to notches in the cutter caused buy the glue lines. I never had a reason to be concerned about sharpness. At a third of the cost of the Whiteside bit, maybe it is worth experimenting.
 
I want to experiment with end mills :). I am not finding a source for a good price on carbide mills. I am most likely being lazy (I am on vacation after all :eek:) can someone toss out a couple links?
 
Yellow pages for machine shop supplies. On-line try Enco. I used to have a small manufacturer in Escondido. Don't remember their name abny more though. but I could find out. They were friendly and reasonable and not far from your Dad.
 
End Mills are available almost everywhere as there is more professional metal work than woodwork.

For starters as Carol mentioned Enco which is owned by MSC both of which carry an extensive line.
http://www.use-enco.com
http://www1.mscdirect.com

Grainger
McMaster Carrr both carry some but also have a lot more general stuff.

Victor Machine is very reasonable and is quick to ship. http://www.victornet.com

Travers is a lot like McMaster carr but smaller and much easier to get a catalog from..
http://www.travers.com/

Grand Tool is also good
http://www.grandtool.com/

And don't forget Grizzly tool.
http://www.grizzly.com/search/search.aspx?q=end mills&cachebuster=6007724988739938

Also in days pat I have bought quite a few end mills from Ebay, but haven't checked recently.


Note that all the machine specific places have their import brand as well as much pricier name brands. I have had decent luck with most of the import brands. you can get HSS as well as carbide in almost all cases.

Also worth mentioning if you haven't shopped these place is the incredible selection of nuts, bolts, machine screws, specialty drill bits , taps dies they have..
Garry
 
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