Your Favorite Bit

[Burkhardt]

I know, it depends on the job. For that matter I probably have 2 dozen different bits for various purposes. But, I find myself using one specific type of bit about 90%+ of the time, which is a humble Kyocera 1/8" up-spiral router bit (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-8-1250-CARBIDE-2-FLUTE-ENDMILLS-WOOD-OR-PLASTIC-/151183942885) with fish-tail end. It is economic, makes little noise (important for my neighborhood), very clean cut and lasts forever as long as I don't break it. That said, I don't do production work and don't need to cut 3/4" sheets at full depth and very high speed. But it still can do 0.15-0.2" depth at 150ipm/2.5ips in the usual hardwoods. At 2" length it is a bit more convenient than the common 1.5" long bits with 1/8" shank.

Anyway, I am just wasting away some time on the PC and was wondering what your favorite/most used bits are.

[Simops]

It would have to be dual flute 1/4" up cut for wood and 1/8" single flute spiral O upcut for alum.....

Cheers

[adrianm]

3mm downcut twin flute spiral with 19mm cutting depth is what I use most of the time.

The speed I lose by running a smaller bit is made up by lower purchase price and smaller kerf which adds up when you're cutting hundreds of low margin parts out of a single sheet.

[scottp55]

G. Not a lot of experience yet,but through ignorance and accident got one of thesehttp://www.carbideplus.com/Carbide_60_deg_3F_Countersink_p/333-001050.htm and it's now my go to bit for Small Vcarve(< .3" depth) and tiny raised letters(at 5% stepover leaves "no sanding"pocket), and very little "fuzz" $6 (still using the second one after 60 hours in hardwood/first lost an argument with a screw/just ordered 6 more). Second would be a tie with the 1/8" straight that comes with the Desktop starter set and the .117" upspiral/fishtail from precise bits. All small stuff in mainly maple.

[BTP]

1/4" centurion tools double compression bit.
I use it for everything except plastic.

It's not the best choice for laminated MDF, because the dust does not move,. but i buy so many at a time, i use it anyway.

[knight_toolworks]

I only have a few bits I use. Myself I think the 0-flute bits are great and can really do a good job.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/57FC615B-4C2E-4A17-B1D1-DC7C19BD17B4_zps0no6ndac.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/57FC615B-4C2E-4A17-B1D1-DC7C19BD17B4_zps0no6ndac.jpg.html)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/43CB5C65-9CCB-4715-9722-D54678F0A407_zpsul0jejhm.jpg (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/knighttoolworks/media/posting/43CB5C65-9CCB-4715-9722-D54678F0A407_zpsul0jejhm.jpg.html)

[Kyle Stapleton]

Why do you have two drag knifes?

[knight_toolworks]

I made the clunky one several years ago to cut 1/2" cardboard. my customer wanted a clean edge. but it i pretty limited all straight cuts need to have overshoot and have single lines cut on the line with all the start points at the same ends so I coudl turn the knife facing the right direction and cut all the x cuts then all the y it would do circles but you needed have lead in and out and make sure you had it facing the right direction.

[Bob Eustace]

Steve you are so right - you dont have many cutters! How do you find the insert vee bits? Are you doing many signs and how do they stack up against standard v vits?

[knight_toolworks]

I cut so many different materials I need a lot of different bits. but they may get only one or two cuts and sit there. like cutting foam I need 1/4" and 1/8" bits 2" cut length or longer if possible. for plastic I cut so many different types and thicknesses I need a lot of different bits. been getting deals on metric bits s oI have been using those but I need new collets to fit them.

[Ajcoholic]

My favourite bit is the one that's making me the most $$ :D

Probably my Onsrud 5/8" diameter carbide spiral round end bit, its the one I use for carving my chair parts and other furniture carvings.

I probably use a simple 1/4" two flute spiral more than anything else though. I bought a whack of them from Onsrud whren I started with the Bot' nearly 2 years ago, and I havent broken one yet. I think I am on my 3rd bit only (they seem to last for a long time - and thats after cutting about 80 sheets of 6mm and 12mm exterior grade Baltic Birch) and I have about 20 left.

But like I said, my favourite bit is the one in the router making my life easier at the present time.