How to break a Beckwith Bit

[rcnewcomb]

If you need to break a $54 bit in a hurry follow these simple steps:
1) Skip looking at the preview for the 3D design you are about to carve
2) Skip the roughing pass
3) Plunge the bit down 1.25" into red oak or hard maple and move with an XY feed rate of 6ips
4) the bit should break within 3 to 12 inches of travel.

I did this twice in the past week so I know this process is repeatable and reliable.

[garyb]

Ah Randall, I can see doing it once but twice

Although I must admit I broke one myself last week in about the same manner.

[curtiss]

As always, the location of the "decimal point" is most important on the z axis,

x & y not so much...

I have a few short "son of bits" that show this very well..

[gene]

Will this work on less expensive bits too?

[knight_toolworks]

I have broken several 1/8" bits lately a couple in row with foolish mistakes. broken bit happen don't cry over broken bits.

[mikeacg]

Good to know you are human, Randall!

[toych]

Running the drilling tool path over again after you've put in the hold down screws really works well on 1/8" bits. The screw head seems to take great delight in breaking the last bit of a particular fluting on hand.

Why is it everything but the Shopbot goes into slow motion the instant you realize your mistake and are reaching for the E stop?

1; press start
2; watch gantry start to move
3; blink and wonder why the machine is moving so far over in x
4; watch the machine pause ever so slightly right over the screw you installed a minute ago
5; watch the spindle start to lower thinking that the starting point of that vector was closer to 0,0.... #%*&!!!!!
6: frantically wave your arms at the space bar and E stop missing both
7; pout for a minute then call your local Onsrud/Belin/Whiteside dealer
8; glare at the screw who's fault all of this was.

[garyb]

You guys should try the BDP005, which has a 1/8" ball nose, you need 15° of clearance to the side wall. So unless you have a deep relief with near vertical walls you will find it will work well.
Doubt you will break this one since its on 1/2" solid carbide