Bit recommendations for DW660

Mostly Printed CNC - MPCNC Troubleshooting
1

I am building my MPCNC and plan on using a DW660. Any recommendations for affordable/useful bits to start with? I’m not even sure what kind of bits I need. My first projects will be engraved signs, similar to this person’s project: https://youtu.be/oBRhfsY5Oc8. I was looking at these: http://www.amazon.com/End-Mill-Set-Piece-Flute/dp/B002YPHSIG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1444140834&sr=8-3&keywords=end+mill.

In keeping with the spirit of the MPCNC and my budget, I’d like to not have to spend a fortune on them.

Thanks for any advice!

2

I am looking into mills (bits) as well. Just got the DW660 too. It will accept either 1/4" or 1/8" shank mills. The link you posted is for mills with 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 inch shanks. It came with a simple roto-zip style mill that should cut foam board or wood at least. I plan on using thick foam board to practice on. Still a lot of terminology to learn.

Dan

3

Good catch - shows how little I know and how much I need to learn! Maybe I’ll wait and use the whatever comes with it at first. I also have a set of router bits - maybe one of those will be useful. Thanks!

4

Try something like these, http://amzn.to/1JURIfZ

Start with an 1/8" 2 flute bit made for wood. when you have a few cuts under your belt you could probably move up to a 1/4" and work faster. like this http://amzn.to/1LjTpZP, on a 1/4" you might be able to get away with 4 flutes.

Drillman 1 on ebay has an amazing selection with prices to match, good guy. My advice is stick with 18" at first, only move to 1/4" when things are running smoothly.

5

I bought a set of 1/8" shank 1/8" endmill bits from drillman1 and really like them. I also bought his micro kit with the 1/32"-1/8" endmills. Do you have any recomendations for the tool settings within Estlcam? Depth per step? cut feedrate? plunge feedrate? At least something to start with?

6

It all depends on the material being cut and what spindle you are using. My videos have the settings I used in the descriptions. I always use a 45% step over for roughing and 2-10% finishing. Plunge slow to start, the z axis is geared a bit high, plunge to fast and you will skip steps.

7

So…assuming soft wood like pine, can you give me a decent starting point or a threshold to stay below?

8

In this video I used .5mm DOC, 20mm/s, finishing was .25 DOC, 35mm/s 45% step over. You should use these as a first test cut but after your sure everything is working smoothly use a 2mm DOC and work up from there. Keep the finishing DOC and speed the same and use a low step over.

9

So I ordered these to start with: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010NI39WO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00.

I was wondering about dressing the waste board. Most fly cutter bits seem very expensive, and it will probably take quite a while to do it with a 1/8 bit (my bed is 20x30 inches). Do these look like they might be good for dressing?

Thanks for your opinions!

10

My waste board has not been far enough off for me to worry about it. That or I haven’t needed that kind of accuracy.

I would just run 1 pass over the whole bed with the 1/8" shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. Just take off the minimum to flatten it out, and run it a bit faster than normal.

11

How about bits for doing carving? I saw some videos of sign making in wood with a pointy bit but I don’t know what it’s called. Not the engraving bits - I can find those on Amazon just fine.

12

Try a V-Bit, there are a few different angle that give a different effect.

13

I would reccomend any 1/4" shank carbide router bits. V groove 45deg and 60 degree, and round nose, and a set of staight bits.

14

Thanks! V-Groove bit brings up what I was looking for. I bought these:

Ball End Bits

2 Flute Bits

1/2" x 1/2" V-Groove Bit

All are carbide and all Prime shipping. I’ll be using them with my RotoZip. Just got it mounted to my z-axis. Time to start putting the whole thing together!