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Economy Bits - Wood/Wood Composite

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Project Hopeless, Feb 12, 2021.

  1. Project Hopeless

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    I got a couple good deals on some Amana and Onsrud router bits a while back.

    Now I'm in the market for some ball nose bits 1/4" and 1/8" but I can't find a similar deal in those brands.

    So what economy (not cheap) brand bits would you recommend I look at?
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  3. Project Hopeless

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    Yes I did. Those prices were similar to the Amana and Onsrud bit MSRP.
     
  4. Gary Caruso

    Gary Caruso OpenBuilds Volunteer
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    I purchased these two years ago and they worked great for me 3d carving spruce or Douglas fir.. (2x4)
    1/8 ball end amazon link
     
  5. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    The Shark Bits are nice. My most recent problem was sourcing 1/8" ball nose end mills that are on the straight shank that are long enough for larger 3D carves. I love the tapered ones, but they do not work when carving down inside of a pocket that is straight up and down. Not thinking, I started a large 3D carve and when I got to the finishing pass, I realized I had a brain fart a few months ago when I ordered a 3mm 2 flute extra long (100mm) ball nose from China. I went to start my finishing pass and realized that the 3mm was way to loose for my 1/8 inch collet which led me to order an Amana 1/4 to 3mm collet reducer -- which has been delayed due to weather. So with that new High Z mod for doing larger projects, maybe OpenBuilds should look into some endmills in the 75mm to 100mm length range.

    By the way, a Chinese made extra long 3mm end mill is no cheaper than a 1/8" made in America 75mm 1/8" ball nose. Kodiak Cutting Tools had one thankfully.
     
  6. ljvb

    ljvb Well-Known
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    Look into Freud and Whiteside, they make good bits, not cheap, but cheaper than Amana.
     
  7. Project Hopeless

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    Thanks for the tip. I did end up ordering some from Kodiak, a standard and extra long ball nose. I'm always willing to pay a small premium for local/domestic manufactures.

    That being said the prices were still pretty good, and a large selection. Time will tell where they are quality wise longevity wise.
     

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