[jbeuckm]

I just mounted a PC690 router on my new FLA-100 clone. I am building this Dragon Cable which started great: KRMx01 Dragon Cable Upgrade

My first 1/16" straight router bit broke after cutting about 4-5 links. I got a new bit today from Rockler that has much better support at the neck where the first one broke. But again after cutting 4-5 links, I think this bit is wearing away its radius. The tabs on my later parts won't fit into their slots.

My set up is 200ft/min with 25% feed rate. I looked at some of the calculators but I don't think they're designed for 1/8" hardboard. What can I do to remedy the situation?

Thanks,
Joe

[txcncman]

"200 ft/min"?????? Don't you mean inches per minute?

What RPM does your router run? are you using air blow to keep the tool tip cool? Are you using carbide or high speed steel tool?

[jbeuckm]

YES - I do mean 200in/min - thank you. The stock router is running at 27,500RPM. The motor fan exhaust blows down around the chuck. Rockler says their straight bits are "K10 and K20 grade carbide".

[jbeuckm]

This was a hold-down issue. Tape allowed the hardboard to slide a bit in the Y, which caused the slots to be too short for the tabs. A couple of clamps fixed it.

I checked the bit with a caliper and it's still very accurately 1/16"

Thanks for reading.

[txcncman]

Glad you worked it out.

Details, details, details.

[jbeuckm]

I feel lucky that it only cost me a $20 bit and a couple ruined hardboard parts. Seems like the lesson could have come much harder.

[txcncman]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Sometimes it does. Sometimes it does. I killed a Mori Seiki lathe once. About a $20,000.00 value. And that was after I had been running CNC machines for over 1 year.

[jbeuckm]

My gantry-mounted section of Dragon Cable is complete! Here are a few pics: CNC Part 13 | Joe Beuckman