[boydage]

Hi I have finished my CNC router. All works great, no issues. I have been a woodworker for years! I do have a question though. My first project is to cut out 20 segments to form the outer edge of a round outdoor table. I have one query though, cross cutting timber with an endmill. Can anyone recommend an endmill that will not breakout the edges of my timber? Perhaps a tiny wee one with a slow cut? Or tiny little cuts?

Does anybody have experience with this. I am so keen to do the whole cut with my router, finishing the end cuts with my tablesaw I could do but would love to avoid.

Regards

[louieatienza]

Hi I have finished my CNC router. All works great, no issues. I have been a woodworker for years! I do have a question though. My first project is to cut out 20 segments to form the outer edge of a round outdoor table. I have one query though, cross cutting timber with an endmill. Can anyone recommend an endmill that will not breakout the edges of my timber? Perhaps a tiny wee one with a slow cut? Or tiny little cuts?

Does anybody have experience with this. I am so keen to do the whole cut with my router, finishing the end cuts with my tablesaw I could do but would love to avoid.

Regards

I've never had a problem... The bit is "supported" on both sides of the cut, and as long as it is sharp, there shoudn't be much if any tearout. Of course all woods cut differently and you should test on scrap first. My tool of choice is a single-edge compression spiral, which is a downcut but with a short upcut section. The downcut leaves a clean edge on top, and the upcut leaves a clean edge on teh bottom, as well as helps with chip clearance, and the single edge allows you to run your router at a higher spindle speed where it will work its best and still produce good chips. You should be able to run at 120-200ipm at 14krpm, depending on your machine.

[BanduraMaker]

If I'm following you correctly, treat it mostly as you wood using hand held power tools but, you've got the added possibility of climb cutting.

Climb cut the end grain first, then go in and climb cut the long grain segments.

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If I'm following you correctly, treat it mostly as you wood using hand held power tools but, you've got the added possibility of climb cutting.

Climb cut the end grain first, then go in and climb cut the long grain segments.

[ger21]

Make sure the stock is large enough so that there is excess wood on the outside of the bit. Even then you may still see chipped corners. Different wood species will give different results. You can't just trim the edge along endgrain without getting tearout. Remember, a cnc router is just a tool. It's not always the right tool for the job. I cut a lot of parts similar to what you're doing, and we ofen cut them long and trim the ends on a miter saw. When trying to cut everything perfect, and chipping results in making extra parts. If you leave them long, you should never need to remake parts.

[boydage]

Cool. Thanks guys. I will definitely get a single-edge compression spiral bit just to play with. And yes, I should really utilise my nice sliding table saw or dropsaw for the final cuts. I spent a lot of money on these machines so will use them accordingly. Your statement "Remember, a cnc router is just a tool. It's not always the right tool for the job." is so true but one i overlooked in my excitement! ha

Regards