584,837 active members*
5,879 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > Tools / Tooling Technology > CNC Tooling > Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    11

    Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    I recently purchased 4 large bull nose router bits for woodworking.
    I ordered a kind that has a carbide coating. Now I have received these router bits, but upon inspection they look to have normal metal cutting edges. How can I tell if they actually have a carbide coating?
    See attached pictures:



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    Kinda looks like carbide, pretty hard to tell from here. Look for brazing securing the tip to the base metal.
    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    11

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Dawson View Post
    Kinda looks like carbide, pretty hard to tell from here. Look for brazing securing the tip to the base metal.
    I can't see any bracing, because there's paint at the line where the two materials might be connected.
    But knowing that we currently can't rule out that this is carbide, is good enough for me. That means that I really have no reason to suspect that it isn't carbide.
    Thanks!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    I expect that it is carbide given that the price was $28? each. Less than the USA made bits, but in the right range. I normally buy Freud or CMT, or Diablo from Home Depot
    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    Quote Originally Posted by loldrup View Post
    I recently purchased 4 large bull nose router bits for woodworking.
    I ordered a kind that has a carbide coating. Now I have received these router bits, but upon inspection they look to have normal metal cutting edges. How can I tell if they actually have a carbide coating?
    A end and side photo would of been better, but what you have is a steel body, the color tells you this, with a brazed carbide insert, most are made like this because of cost
    Mactec54

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    Carbide is not a coating. Bits are either solid carbide, or carbide tips on steel bodies. The only solid carbide bits tend to be spiral bits, and smaller bits. Anything larger than 1/2" with a 1/2" shank will usually be carbide tipped.

    Your's are carbide tipped.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    5516

    Re: Is my router bit made of metal, or carbide?

    You see the metal used for the cutting edges are darker than the shank? The shank likely HSS, and tips carbide. They happen to make solid carbide bits in most every shape, though as others point out for something like this it is more cost effective to use HSS body and braze the tips on. Also, the HSS body is more durable and shock-resistant. A carbide tool would be a lot heavier, and stiffer, but more brittle. I've snapped 1/2" solid carbide endmills.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-14-2017, 12:57 PM
  2. Carbide scraper metal
    By rainmangr in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-04-2015, 01:31 PM
  3. Are these end mills made of carbide or glass???
    By ryansuperbee in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-30-2010, 05:06 AM
  4. Milling metal home made
    By nicko17 in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-23-2010, 09:52 AM
  5. Custom Made Carbide Turn Insert Questions
    By mgb1974 in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-04-2009, 05:32 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •