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Thread: cutting bamboo ply

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    New Hampshire
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    82

    Default cutting bamboo ply

    Has anyone cut cabinet door and drawers out of 3/4" bamboo sheets. I would like to use an 1/8" cutter to minimize the kerf between parts. My default is a 3/8" compression but I was wondering if a smaller diameter bit will work if I take slow shallow cuts.

    Thanks
    Todd

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
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    Delray Beach, FL
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    Default

    Theoretically yes but be prepared to break some bits! That's a long cel for a bit that small in material that hard. Best done on a table saw. Bamboo has such a straight grain you may not hardly notice the difference between an 1/8" bit and say a 1/4".

  3. #3
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    Sep 2011
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    New Hampshire
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    Default

    thanks dave

    I think what I will do is tell ecabs all the cabs are the standard drawer on door bases and then cut the bottom door into drawer faces when needed. I was trying to avoid manual labor but sometimes it seems the better way to go.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Londonderry New Hampshire
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    341

    Default Bamboo

    3/8 would be better but expect it to be noisy....wicked hard stuff to mill
    Dick
    Aspire 10.5

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
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    Pasadena, CA
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    I made my bathroom cabinets from bamboo (see old thread here) and cut pretty much everything with 1/8" bits (2-flute fishtail upcut). Maybe not the fastest method but I usually do 2 ips, 13krpm and 1/8 to 1/10" deep for such bamboo plywood. No problem and very clean cut.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Kennebunkport, Maine
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    Todd, Agree with G. on Fishtails--May not be fast enough for you though. Super clean sidewalls and virtually no splintering at all--Just did 20yr old Indian Rosewood 2 days ago.
    Makes sense as they're made for things like frets and other Luthier work and their material is sometimes old/dry/ but always expensive. Made to leave a pocket bottom suitable for gluing though. Tips are aggressive and good drilling holes using Inside/Profile/Spiral Ramped cuts also.
    Good luck.
    scott
    scott P.
    2013 Desktop/spindle/VCP 11.5**
    Maine

  7. #7
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    Sep 2011
    Location
    New Hampshire
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    Thank you for all your inputs. I think the slow cutting of the 1/8" cutter is worth the trade off for speed from the 3/8" compression I am accustom to. What is a fish tail cutter and where should I purchase one.

    Thanks
    Todd

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    Kennebunkport, Maine
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    Hi Todd, PreciseBits is where I got my .117"2Flute-Think minimum order was 8 of them.
    Just bought some bits from Drillman1 on E-bay but haven't tried his fishtails. Like everything else bought from him which is why I ordered $140 of various 1/8'ths to split between the 2 shops
    http://www.precisebits.com/gateways/EndMillsHome.htm
    scott P.
    2013 Desktop/spindle/VCP 11.5**
    Maine

  9. #9
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    New Hampshire
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    Thank you scott. I went to the link and did not find one with a cutting length of 3/4".

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
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    Pasadena, CA
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    I am not sure if PreciseBits has one with long enough straight section to cut through 3/4" sheet. At least the one I got is too short with a 1/4" shank.

    I do use the Drillman1 1/8" bits which are 2" long and leave more in the collet for 3/4" deep cut than the usual 1.5" long bits of that shank diameter. The flute length is 0.625 but that is O.K. because you do not go 3/4" deep in one step.

    I rarely wear them out. Usually I run them for a long time and at some point break them by mistake but at $5 each no big problem.

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