MFK700 and Dados

[thedevme]

I have an MFK700 and I am looking to use my mfk700 for routing dados for drawers.  I love the process I saw on this video:=404s

I have tried using some bosch routing straight bits but it makes a loud screeching sound when I tried to use it.  I am looking for a router bit that will let me do both 1/4 and 3/8 dados.  Please recommend the router bits you use with your MFK700. Thank you 

 

[sancho57]

I use infinity spiral bits

 

[thedevme]

I use infinity spiral bits

Thank you

 

[tjbnwi]

Second the Infinity.

Tom

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

I’m looking to get a MFK.  Looking at Infinity website, which one of these sets would be best to use with MFK?

 

[sancho57]

I like spiral bits.

But its a personal choice really which on you go with

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Ok. Thanks

 

[RKA]

Though I haven’t tried a downcut bit in the MFK, I prefer the upcut spiral bits.  The downcut bits can push the router base up a hair or push the plywood down a little if you’re working off the edge of a table.  Usually I’m going with the grain for cabinet backs and drawer problems so tear out hasn’t been an issue with the upcut bits.

 

[thedevme]

Thats interesting [member=21249]RKA[/member] because I have read the opposite that downcut bits make cleaner dados. Might buy one and try.

 

[RKA]

The theory is sound, with a down cut, the shearing action pushes the face veneer into the plywood eliminating tearout.  But when you're moving the bit in the direction of the grain, using a sharp upcut bit it doesn't really produce tearout.  Generally I avoid downcut bits unless a specific situation calls for them.  They require a little more care to use.

 

[thedevme]

The theory is sound, with a down cut, the shearing action pushes the face veneer into the plywood eliminating tearout.  But when you're moving the bit in the direction of the grain, using a sharp upcut bit it doesn't really produce tearout.  Generally I avoid downcut bits unless a specific situation calls for them.  They require a little more care to use.

Good to know thanks - I will pick up a few and see what results I get.

 

[Cheese]

Here's an interesting read on CNC router tooling and hand held router tooling in general. This is a short excerpt:

"For one thing, upcut bits are more likely to tear the top surface with the cutting edges because they’re pulling the wood fibers up while cutting. On laminated materials, such as plywood with a thin top veneer, that can matter a lot. It may not matter if you’re ultimately going to round over that top edge and/or apply solid wood edge, but in other situations, it might be a problem."

"With a downcut mill, the advantage is that it’s pushing down on the piece you’re working, plus it cleanly cuts the top surface. The tradeoff is the waste is pushed back into the cut area instead of being ejected."
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/cnc-tooling-basics-for-woodworkers-part-three/

The entire series of tooling articles are here:
https://www.popularwoodworking.com/tag/cnc-tooling-series/

 

[thedevme]

Saw this exact article - I just ordered 2 upcut from Infinity - Luckily I live 30 mins from them so I will go pick them up today.

 

[Mario Turcot]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the compression spiral bit. Two flutes for small dados.

I have the Amana Tool bit. Can cut in pretty much any material. It's not cheap but last for ever with little care.

 

[RKA]

Typically I use them for edge routing where the center of the compression bit is roughly centered on the material.  I've never used those on dado's and grooves, primarily because only the upcut section would be inside the material.  The downcut section would never make contact with the surface.  I'm not sure if there is even a compression bit that works as designed on a 1/4"- 1/2" groove?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Take a closer look at the bit Mario linked. It’s a new design with a very short (7/32”) up cut end and a much longer down cut section. Seems ideal for dados and other trenches in veneered material.

 

[RKA]

Ah hah!  I didn't click the link.  Indeed the CNC bits open up more opportunities than the traditional woodworking bits.

 

[Mario Turcot]

Typically I use them for edge routing where the center of the compression bit is roughly centered on the material.  I've never used those on dado's and grooves, primarily because only the upcut section would be inside the material.  The downcut section would never make contact with the surface.  I'm not sure if there is even a compression bit that works as designed on a 1/4"- 1/2" groove?

[member=21249]RKA[/member]
You are right it's not meant for groves and dados but for CNC pockets, which in my opinion is pretty similar to a dado with no exit for the dust.