8mm Variable Helix Joinery Bits

[jeffinsgf]

Okay. The 8mm Variable Helix bits discussed a few weeks ago have (finally) been added. They cut beautifully, even at depth.

Variable Helix Solid Carbide Up Cut Spiral Router Bit

Variable Helix Advantages Dramatically improved control. Ideal for Multi-Router and PantoRouter. 8mm versions perfect for Shaper Origin and any router with 8mm collet. Greatly reduced chatter.…perfect for deep mortises and long tenons. Crisp, clean entry points and satin smooth side...

www.woodpeck.com

 

[Cheese]

Jeff, I have some UHMW-PE for an upcoming project...your thoughts?

 

[rmhinden]

Okay. The 8mm Variable Helix bits discussed a few weeks ago have (finally) been added. They cut beautifully, even at depth.

Variable Helix Solid Carbide Up Cut Spiral Router Bit

Variable Helix Advantages Dramatically improved control. Ideal for Multi-Router and PantoRouter. 8mm versions perfect for Shaper Origin and any router with 8mm collet. Greatly reduced chatter.…perfect for deep mortises and long tenons. Crisp, clean entry points and satin smooth side...

www.woodpeck.com

Thanks. Just ordered the set.

Bob

 

[jeffinsgf]

Haven't tried it on soft plastics. On solid phenolic it's great. If I can track down a piece of UHMW, I'll run some through.

 

[rst]

The tech sheets from manufacturers recommend against helix and spiral bits not sure what the reasoning is and I have always used straight cutters.

 

[onocoffee]

Does the 8mm shank offer much greater capacity than 1/4"? I've not used 8mm so I'm curious to know the draw.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Does the 8mm shank offer much greater capacity than 1/4"? I've not used 8mm so I'm curious to know the draw.

Theoretically, twice the strength of 1/4". My experience is greatly reduced vibration and chatter in equal sized cuts. My first experience with 8mm was the Festool dovetail bit. I couldn't believe the difference between a nearly new 1/4" shank bit I had been using and the 8mm shank. Same 14-degree and 1/2" depth, same material, same router, same half-blind jig.

 

[Cheese]

Another nice feature of solid carbide tooling vs steel with carbide inserts/carbide brazed is the overall stiffness that the carbide shaft provides. It's 3x stiffer than steel so there's less chatter which gives a smoother cut. For metal lathe work, it's common to replace a steel boring bar with a carbide boring bar of the same size and using the same insert...the only difference is the material used in the boring bar.

As an example, a 3/8 inch HSS boring bar can start to chatter when it's extended much more than 1-1/4" while simply substituting the same size solid carbide boring bar, the tool will not start to chatter until it's extended more than 3-1/2".

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have had one of the 1/4" WP Variable Helix bits, for a while now. It cuts very well, but I have been waiting on the 8mm.
I've been messing with 8mm for several years now, more than 10. I got the 3/4" diameter/ 1" cut length, from Lee Valley. Back then, they were pretty much the only supplier. It was far more stable, cutting solid Maple edges, with my MFK700. That was just a steel shank, but it's far better than 1/4"
I use 8mm whenever I can get them.
Ordering one now.

 

[doozer_diy]

I'm new to 8mm shank bits and milling in metric. Can anyone tell me why I'm not seeing 8mm shank spiral bits with 6mm/12mm/18mm cutters? I believe these are the sizes that would create accurate joinery for 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" panels, respectively. I'm also looking for down cuts (working with ply), but might get by with compression.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Doozer,

We make the metric panel sized bits you're looking for, but not in 8mm shank. They're available in 1/4" shank. https://www.woodpeck.com/ultra-shear-router-bits-for-plywood.html

8mm may happen in the future, but sales on the 8mm offerings are going to have to pick up before expansion picks up speed.