584,841 active members*
4,487 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > Other Machines > Engraving Machines > good quality 20 degree engraving bits
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    87

    good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    Guys, title says it all - the cheapo Chinese 20 degree bits all have the tips break off no matter what speeds or feeds, even on soft materials. I need 1/8" bits that will keep their point, my objective is to engrave PCB's so they have to be fine.

    Can anyone recommend any brand / dealer?

    Cheers

    Les

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    Try these guys. https://bitsbits.com/ I buy from them and have had good luck with their products.
    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    629

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    Here is one that I have been using with good results...

    https://www.precisebits.com/

    Chris D

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1267

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    I have used PreciseBits trace isolation cutters in the past, and they definitely work well. But:

    If your current setup is breaking the tips off $1 Chinese cutters, then your $15 PreciseBits cutter will break just as quick. Unless you correct the problem, you will simply be throwing money away 15 times faster than you were before.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    87

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    I'm open to any suggestions as to how to stop it happening - I am using very light feeds and cuts (400mm/min, 0.02mm depth increments), and the cutter RPM is the max that my setup can do (about 6500 RPM)

    If you can give me any advice on prevention I am all ears.

    Thanks for the replies and assistance

    Les

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1267

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    Here is what works for me with Chinese V-cutters.

    - I use 30-degree and 45-degree tools. 15-degree cutters are way too fragile, and they do not give you any advantage in cut width.
    - I use 10 000 RPM, 200 mm/min feed rate and 100 mm/min plunge rate (so the chip size is 3 times smaller than yours). My machine is not very rigid, so I have to cut much slower than what you see in YouTube videos with real PCB prototyping machines.
    - I cut the copper in one pass (0.05mm depth). Trying to do it in several shallow passes just makes the tool rub the copper surface instead of cutting it.
    - Bed levelling is critical.
    - Even with a perfect bed, actual PCBs are not 100% flat, so I use Autoleveller to level the g-code.
    - Tool runout is critical. If your spindle has any significant runout, tools will just keep breaking.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    87

    Re: good quality 20 degree engraving bits

    Thanks for the tips.

    I have to say that I will have to get a handle on the bed levelling, Universal Gcode sender can do it but I haven't worked out how yet.

    Cheers

    Les

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-06-2019, 07:16 AM
  2. 90 degree V tool engraving water pannel on MDF
    By omnisales6 in forum Videos
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-12-2016, 02:22 AM
  3. Quality 3mm drill/router bits?
    By Atomic_Sheep2 in forum CNC Tooling
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-12-2014, 07:48 AM
  4. How to know good quality of laser engraving and cutting machine?
    By vivinar in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-08-2010, 04:42 AM
  5. Quality carbide bits
    By WWWOODMAN in forum CNC Tooling
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-23-2009, 11:06 PM

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
  •