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IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking > WoodWorking Topics > Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds
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  1. #1
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    Mar 2017
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    Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    What spindle speed and feeds do you guys use for surfacing a spoil-board with a fly cutter?

    I picked up these two cutters:



    They don't seem to be covered by the usual online speeds and feed calcs I use.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    35538

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    A flu cutter is not an appropriate tool for surfacing a spoilboard and is not safe in any router spindle, unless you can use it under 1000 rpm.

    You want something like this.
    https://www.amanatool.com/rc-2255-cn...outer-bit.html

    Or even a plane carbide tipped router bit with a large diameter.
    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)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    926

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    A flu cutter is not an appropriate tool for surfacing a spoilboard and is not safe in any router spindle, unless you can use it under 1000 rpm.

    You want something like this.
    https://www.amanatool.com/rc-2255-cn...outer-bit.html

    Or even a plane carbide tipped router bit with a large diameter.
    Thanks. I've ordered a pair.

    Out of interest, is it the spindle speed that makes a fly cutter unsafe (I.e. that the carbide cutter might come loose and get launched at me) or is it the material (I.e. fire risk with wood)?

    My spindle actually can go as low as 1000 rpm (or at least the manual said it's rated for that). It's electric fan cooled but it doesn't pack much of a punch at that speed.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    35538

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    Yes, you can't spin a fly cutter very fast without creating an incredible amount if vibration, and it might even come flying out of the spindle.
    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)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    You can use that Amana tool at 10,000-13,000 and 300-600ipm.
    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)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    926

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Yes, you can't spin a fly cutter very fast without creating an incredible amount if vibration, and it might even come flying out of the spindle.
    I experienced that first hand yesterday when I turned it on at 6000 rpm for a few seconds...

    My machine is 1000lb + of Epoxy granite and is usually super quiet. It sounded like a helicopter landed on it with the fly cutter in there. It was enough to make me turn it off without cutting anything.

    It was a really strange sound....

    Hopefully the Amana tools are better balanced for high speed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    On our 10,000 lb router at work, if a small chip gets between the spindle and toolholder during a toolchange, it sounds the same way, with just the toolholder of by a few thousandths.
    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)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    926

    Re: Fly cutter surfacing plywood spindle speed and feeds

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    On our 10,000 lb router at work, if a small chip gets between the spindle and toolholder during a toolchange, it sounds the same way, with just the toolholder of by a few thousandths.
    I remember reading about balanced tools. Now I understand the significance.

    I assume your 10,000 lb router has a far larger cutting area than mine but, if I understand right, the point is that it doesn't matter how robust a machine is. Unbalanced tools make an upsetting sound and those who ignore it could meet a grizzly end...

    The new high speed spindle appropriate surfacing tools arrive and they make a much more pleasing sound and cut.

    Thank you (again). You helped me dodge a bullet (almost literally) with this one.

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