Festool 491037 Panel cutter Bit

[JimB1]

Anyone tried this bit yet?

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/routers/router-bits/8mm-shank/specialty-bits/panel-cutter-bit-hw-8mm-491037.html

I'm thinking about trying to use this to cutout parts in plywood similar to the way a CNC does. Because this is a rotating bit, I'm thinking I should be able to cut tighter curves without having as much waste and having to stop and readjust the angle and cut out smaller pieces around the piece I am working on to make the cut I actually want the way I would with my jigsaw.

Am I thinking correctly around the use of this bit? Or am I going to be disappointed in trying to use it that way?
Thanks
-Jim

 

[windmill man]

Hi Jim,

If you are doing template work these peirce and trim router cutters are not the best, they burn and degrade your templates very quickly. You are better using a flush trimmer with a bearing, for internal closed cuts just bore a hole so you can get the bearing of the cutter through.

John

 

[JimB1]

Actually I don't do any volume work really so I almost never use templates. I do a lot of one off things though so I am thinking if I can draw shapes and designs on ply, I can use this type of bit to cut out those designs easier then I can by using a jigsaw...
-Jim

 

[windmill man]

In that case Jim why dont you just use a normal cutter. a spiral cutter could be just what need.

John

 

[harry_]

Jim,

Although I have never used this specific Festool bit, I have used similar styles from other manufacturers. This bits require you to ride it against something like a template or some other guide. This is not a bit you want to "freehand" with. The application I used them is was house framing where we would just blast it through the sheathing and ride it against the rough opening for the window. As stated above, it does not make for a particularly pretty cut and it can and probably will burn whatever you are guiding it against.

 

[sancho57]

Though Ive never used this bit,

But IMO if you want to use this bit for template routing, you would need a guide bushing.

But other then that it should work ok.

Dont go to fast or to deep a cut of material

You could also use it with a guide rail

 

[JimB1]

Spiral bit may be more of what I am looking for. Never used one (didn't like freehand routing before getting my 1010 ) so I'm not all that familiar with them. I saw this one and I guess I misunderstood what it was used for...

Festool's site has a distinct lack of verbiage on the use of certain things (abrasives, bits, accessories, etc). Some things have downloadable PDFs with more info but I haven't found anything like a router bit catalog with good descriptions yet

Thanks
-Jim