Need advise on correct cutter

[Rob Gunn]

Sill new to my ShopBot but getting better by the day. We just finished cutting some lot numbers into 4x6 pine wood post for a campground. Used a 3/8 diameter straight 2 flute carbide cutter, 1/4" deep, .5 ips. The numbers are 1/2" web. All went well but we do seem to have a fare amount of "feathers" left on the side surface of the cut. No issue on the bottom surface of the cut. I even tried to take a second pass on all cuts to clean-up the surface and it did help some but not all. Would a spiral cutter have eliminated this? Up cut or down cut? Maybe the wood was just to wet (it did have some moisture in it)? I do expect to have to clean up the top edge of the cut but would really like to have a better surface on the wall. See attachment and thanks for any advice.

[Gary Campbell]

Robb..
My guess is that those "fuzzies" are a result of soft wood that is wet. A downspiral may help the surface quality, but may pack chips in the cut path. Drier wood is the real answer.

[dan_nelson]

I agree with Gary, However I tend to use compression bits for this. I get mine made for me by a machine shop. I can tell them at what depth I want the flutes to change direction. Ill cut the first pass at .125 and then clean up at whatever depth the pattern calls for. 180 ipm ,5mm bits run around $16.00

[myxpykalix]

a piece of sandpaper right on the edges will get rid of that, (i'm sure you know) or a have a sanding mop in my drill press because the viariable of type of bit, type of wood, moisture conditions, ect is not going to entirely cure that no matter what.