Woodpeckers is manufacturing/grinding their own carbide spiral router bits.

[Cheese]

This certainly came as a surprise although I suppose it shouldn't have. After all, in its simplest form it's really just another machine tool purchase...albeit with a considerable learning curve attached.  [smile]

Woodpeckers has always sold Whiteside router bits so I wonder how the final pricing showdown will shake out.

My first request would be for Woodpeckers to release a couple of different diameter 20 mm bits that would guarantee a very nice fit for the more popular MFT dogs that are manufactured. I'm thinking TSO & Parf at a minimum.

Given Woodpeckers past & recent proclivity to allow customization of just about anything they sell, this might just turn into a real boon for those small businesses/projects that need a custom sized router bit but can't afford to purchase in the minimum numbers required by Whiteside.
https://www.woodpeck.com/ultra-shea...ource=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Ultra∙Shear+Solid+Carbide+Spiral+router+bits+are+ideal+for+CNC+machines+of+any+size.&utm_campaign=Ultra-Shear+Router+Bits&utm_content=Ultra-Shear+Router+Bits+-+5150+5200

Here's the video:=2

 

[rmhinden]

I also saw that this morning.  It would be nice to see an 8mm bit too.

Bob

 

[Cheese]

I'm also thinking they could cozy up to Shaper for some unique bits for their projects.

 

[Cheese]

It would be nice to see an 8mm bit too.

Well Bob, we do have our own inside request track on this forum in the shape of [member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member]  [smile]

 

[jeffinsgf]

There's a long list of standards that are going to have to be fully sorted out before we start thinking about the "outliers", but I can see 20mm and other standard metric sizes being feasible. 

 

[squall_line]

It did not surprise me that the only offerings were 1/2" bits on 1/2" shanks, as that seems to be the shortest distance between raw material and finished product.

It will be interesting to see if they expand, and in which direction; I can't imagine the margins on solid carbide, made in USA bits are all that high to be able to outsell an existing relationship with a wholesaler.

Insert bits may or may not be easier?  They seem to be the new kid from the overseas manufacturing kick lately.

 

[rmhinden]

There's a long list of standards that are going to have to be fully sorted out before we start thinking about the "outliers", but I can see 20mm and other standard metric sizes being feasible. 

Good to hear.  My interest in an 8mm straight bit is for the OF1010 and the Shaper Origin, both of which can use 8mm bits.

Bob

 

[Crazyraceguy]

There's a long list of standards that are going to have to be fully sorted out before we start thinking about the "outliers", but I can see 20mm and other standard metric sizes being feasible. 

Good to hear.  My interest in an 8mm straight bit is for the OF1010 and the Shaper Origin, both of which can use 8mm bits.

Bob

Me too. I really like the 8mm shank.

 

[rmwarren]

+1. I spent a fortune on the 3-4 8mm bits Shaper offers and added a couple from other sources. Both for Origin and OF1400.

RMW

 

[Michael Kellough]

There are tons of 1/2" shank bits already. I too am interested in 8mm shank bits.

I would be especially in an alternative to Shaper's 8mm shank bit that cuts a 16mm swath and costs $159.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Don't look for 8mm shank bits any time soon. Don't mean to dissappoint, but the market for 8mm shank bits is a niche of a niche.

The current plan is to release a new bit every week for the foreseeable future. 3/8" dia.1-1.2" cut length next week.

 

[simonh]

There are tons of 1/2" shank bits already. I, too, am interested in 8mm shank bits.

I would be especially in an alternative to Shaper's 8mm shank bit that cuts a 16mm swath and costs $159.

I got the 16mm Shaper bit, which is nice at hogging out pockets. I did look around my usual European CNC/router bit suppliers, and finding a 3-flute solid carbide bit competitively priced to the Shaper one was hard. So, I just pulled the trigger on the Shaper one, which is Swiss made according to the label on the packaging of mine.

 

[festal]

Don't look for 8mm shank bits any time soon. Don't mean to dissappoint, but the market for 8mm shank bits is a niche of a niche.

The current plan is to release a new bit every week for the foreseeable future. 3/8" dia.1-1.2" cut length next week.

Jeff - Side question - what is the max router bit lenght in PRL-V2 lift? 
I was trying to use Whiteside RU5200 bit with mine and it wouldn't go low enough for my need, maxed out the lift travel and bottomed out

 

[jeffinsgf]

The lift has about 3-3/8" of travel and a 2" cut length bit is 4" long...about 5/8" of which belongs in the collet. My guess is, your router motor is clamped too high in the lift...mine was until 10 minutes ago. I had experienced the same issue yesterday, and your message prompted me to take a look. At the top of the travel, the collet was completely out of the table...handy for bit changes if you don't have offset wrenches, but mine was at least a half inch higher than it needed to be for straight wrench changes. I use offset wrenches, so I reset the motor so the collet is just flush with the top of the plate at the top of the travel. If you have straight wrenches, set your motor so the lower nut is just at table height at the top of the travel. Then you'll be able to bury just about any bit made.

 

[Packard]

RE:  8 mm shaft router bit.

Maybe this will help.  From Rockler.  1/2” to 8mm collet adapter. 

It apparently allows you to use any 1/2” collet and any 8mm bit.
https://www.rockler.com/1-2-to-8mm-collet-adapter

There are also companies out there that will produce any collet size for any router. 

I would note that I have found Whiteside, CMT and Freud bits all to be excellent and fairly priced.  I prefer Whiteside primarily because they are made in the USA.  Freud, on the other hand, has superior packaging for storing the bits.

I would not hesitate buying from any of those three.

I would have to wait and see if Woodpeckers measures up and if there is any advantage buying from them.

They do have a policy of taking orders for “custom” work and then waiting until they have enough orders for that item to proceed with production. Lead times could vary widely and with no guidance from the factory as to when it will ship.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=74278]Packard[/member]  People who use the OF 900/1000/1100 routers can only use 8mm or 1/4” collets. That’s why we are interested in 8mm bits.

 

[Michael Kellough]

There are tons of 1/2" shank bits already. I, too, am interested in 8mm shank bits.

I would be especially in an alternative to Shaper's 8mm shank bit that cuts a 16mm swath and costs $159.

I got the 16mm Shaper bit, which is nice at hogging out pockets. I did look around my usual European CNC/router bit suppliers, and finding a 3-flute solid carbide bit competitively priced to the Shaper one was hard. So, I just pulled the trigger on the Shaper one, which is Swiss made according to the label on the packaging of mine.

I wonder how they make that bit. Do they have to start with a 17mm carbide blank then grind an 8mm shaft? Then turn it around and grind the 16mm cutter?

 

[guybo]

replacements maybe?https://www.sautershop.com/face-milling-cutter-d-19-mm-e-13420?c=14118https://www.sautershop.com/recess-cutter-d-16-mm-kle-c104-160-r?c=14118

 

[Cheese]

I wonder how they make that bit. Do they have to start with a 17mm carbide blank then grind an 8mm shaft? Then turn it around and grind the 16mm cutter?

Yup...that's the reason 98% of the solid carbide router bits available have the same size cutting diameter as the shank diameter. Carbide is expensive and if you need a larger diameter cutter size you have to remove the extra carbide from the shank end and throw it away. That Shaper item is a $160 tool for a very good reason.

An 8 mm x 3" carbide blank is around $7
An 18 mm x 3" carbide blank is around $41...a factor of 6X.

 

[usernumber1]

I'd prefer the 8mm for the 1010 as well. For the router table, lee valley has an adapter
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...cessories/30126-bushing-adapters?item=16J9718