Tooling tips

1. Double edge or Multi-Edge tools provide a better finish.


2. Use shortest cutting edge length available to make necessary depth of cut.


3. Use up/down compression spiral bits to improve top and bottom finishes on veneered or laminated materials.


4. The feed direction for a router bit should be conventional for most applications.


5. Collet and bit to be cleaned after every tooling change for longer tool life.


6. Collets should be changed on a regular basis. (400-500 run time hours).


7. Part to be fed smoothly to allow router tool to cut freely.


8. For better rigidity use straight through tool with cutting edge diameter and shank diameter the same.


9. When inserting router bit in collet do not allow flute fadeout portion of tool to extend inside of collet.


10. After you are finished cutting your material run a "cool tool" test by checking the temperature of the tool. If a proper feed and speed is utilized the tool should be at or near room temperature.


11. For longer tool life, best rigidity and best finish use solid carbide router bits.


12. The normal depth of cut should not exceed 4 times cutting edge diameter.


13. Hot corrosion is frequently the leading cause of tool wear.


14. Less heat slows down hot corrosion which reduces tool wear.


15. To increase the chip load- increase the feed rate, decrease the RPM and use less flutes.


16. To avoid friction which can cause excessive heat to the tool always avoid dead stops when routing material.


17. As chips are ejected they carry the retained heat with them.


18. Larger chips carry more heat from the cut and do not allow it to be transferred to the cutter.


19. To decrease the chipload- decrease the feed rate, increase the RPM and use more flutes.


20. Always remember your cut should produce chips not dust.


21. Straight 'O' flute cutters are ideal for thin soft plastics.


22. Single flute router bits are stronger and can feed faster than two flute.


23. Use spiral 'O' flute for excellent chip evacuation.


24. Super 'O' flute cutters (65-00 Series) is a multi-purpose tool designed for plastics, aluminum and solid-surface material. This bit is an ideal for the novice CNC operator to work on different applications.


25. When holding bit by the shank facing up, the spiral going towards the right side (counter-clockwise) indicates an upcut tool.


26. When holding bit by the shank facing up, the spiral going towards the left side (clockwise) indicates a downcut tool.


27. Natural chip formation in soft plastics is a curl.


28. Natural chip formation in Hard plastic is a block or loose curl.


29. It is important to understand when hardened collets are not replaced, over tightening will eventually damage the internal spindle taper resulting in costly repairs.


30. Timely collet replacement is important but cleaning the collet, along with the collet nut, toolholder taper and inside spindle taper each time the tools are changed is equally important.


31. Do not use petroleum based lubricant for cleaning tools or collets for it will only act as a magnet for all the dirt and dust by the residue it leaves behind.


32. To prevent a dead stop in your material while doing corners, the most effective method is to do a looped corner where the tool travels beyond the corner and loops back and intersects the original path. This provides a cooling effect on the tool as it momentarily leaves the workpiece and assures a square corner.


33. When routing use the largest Diameter tool possible 3/8"-1/2" is the best bet.


34. Use 'V' flute cutters for Hard plastics and foam.


35. Chipload is an important factor in tool life because it dictates how much heat will be carried away from the cutting edge. Better heat dissipation directly relates to increased tool life.