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Cheap flush trim bits
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=53299		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bcombs510 [ Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Cheap flush trim bits
I saw this on FB and grabbed a couple to use when making molds and jigs where these tend to get abused. Under 6 bucks per bit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MF ... UTF8&psc=1

Brad
Author:  Tai Fu [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
Wow you guys pay a lot for router bits... I paid 2 dollars for trim bits. Doesn't last that long and all that but at that price who cares? Still kinda sharp though.

But for 1/4" straight bit I found a CNC aluminum end mill that works great for wood. It cuts wood so well it actually leaves little dust (basically gives me neat little wood shavings). Costs about 10 dollars. CNC guys use them for at least a year.
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
Note: the price was temporary, so not really a deal anymore. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Author:  Mike_P [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
Tai Fu wrote:
Wow you guys pay a lot for router bits... I paid 2 dollars for trim bits. Doesn't last that long and all that but at that price who cares? Still kinda sharp though.

But for 1/4" straight bit I found a CNC aluminum end mill that works great for wood. It cuts wood so well it actually leaves little dust (basically gives me neat little wood shavings). Costs about 10 dollars. CNC guys use them for at least a year.


well...I for one care about sharp long lasting (and accurate) bits. nothing chaps my hide more than when doing work on wood that is worth a lot (in both value of wood and labor already invested) than some dull tool fubaring it. I finally got around to replacing a 1/4" shank top flush bit with a 1/2" cutting length...I had to replace the old one because of how much aluminum I had used it on...thing is the old one still worked pretty darned well..cost? around $35...yep, pretty steep, but as noted I had used it to mill a LOT of aluminum, and that type of longevity is what I'm talking about...brand? Whiteside

now normally I pick up typical flush cut bits from Hell Depot (Diablo) but they only carry the 1" lengths and when using with patterns that can be problematic and require a fairly thick pattern...in the case of this bit I had need for a shorter cutting length because I was mortising as opposed to cutting all the way through. anyway, I've in general found that you get what you pay for with tools and supplies...at the level of work I do that pays for my life I have pretty much no margin for error and prefer things that are solidly built and last
Author:  jfmckenna [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
I don't like those two words together, cheap and bits. :D One tear out and you are retopping a guitar. Simply not worth it to me.
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
For making jigs they are fine. I too wouldn't trust them on an instrument, lol.
Author:  Clay S. [ Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cheap flush trim bits
Most of the problems I have had over the years from flush trim bits have not been from the initial quality of the cutting edge as much as from using one too long before resharpening and more often than not - bearing failures. Bit slippage has bitten me a few times also. All the problems could have been avoided by better awareness of the condition of the tool before flipping the switch.
That said, quality cutters usually have better carbide and are better balanced than the cheap stuff.
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