PCD Bit

[coach]

Has anyone used poly crystalline diamond bits?
Onsrud suggested this bit for cutting double laminated particle bd...................
Series 68-100
Description 3/8 PCD SE COMPRESSION TOOL
Tool Mat'l: Diamond Price $190.00
Unit Inch C.E.D. 3/8
Helix Compression C.E.L. 1
Edge finish Finisher SHK 3/8
Flutes 1 O.A.L. 3
Thanks for any input on this........
David

[knight_toolworks]

are you talking melamine?

[coach]

Steve,,,,one side is standard laminate the other is cabinet liner.
Some of time it is vertical one side and liner on the other.
Dave

[knight_toolworks]

no clue on that.
I just cut 12 sheets of melemime with with one 1/4" downcut bit with only a couple of slight chip outs that may or may not have happened on the machine. I debated on using a compression bit.
but 190.00 for a bit is pretty expensive for sure. better get quite a few sheets from a bit. you can get 3 or 4 from centurion for that price.

[coach]

Steve ,,,what feed and speed do you use? Is the melamine 1 or 2 side?
I have good luck with compression on 2 sided melamine. I also have occasional chips but small enough that they disappear after edge banding.
This job is new and the sample I was given is perfect.
I am hoping to duplicate it to get the job.
And I agree,,,,,,,,190.00 is (too) expensive.
Thanks,David

[knight_toolworks]

I settled on 4ips at .6 and then the cleanup pass at 3ips at .75. I was playing with the cut time so I could round over all the pieces in the item it took to cut them. so I kept slowing it down till I found two passes cut better then one. I think I ran it at 12k but not positive about that.
it was two sided and as long as I cut a bit into the spoilboard the bottom cut cleanly too.

[bleeth]

David: The prime advantage of the Diamond bits is longevity. Your Carbide will probably get around 20 sheets of Mel or prelaminated product out of it. The Diamond coated bit will get many more, as well as not being as sensitive to heat. I wouldn't bother with one for occaisional use, but I wouldn't hesitate for a run of a couple of hundred sheets.

[coach]

Decisions, decisions.
I found a new compression cutter I forgot I bought. I think I will use it to try to get this new job. But when money allows I am going to try the PCD bit. I will keep posted when I purchase.
90% of my cutting is melamine and laminate.
Thanks for the help guys.
David

[coach]

I cut 4 sheets of 3/4 mdf laminated 2 sides. 8 parts per sheet consisting of a 24" x 23" outer rectangle and a 14" square removed from the inside all corneres were a 2" radius.
I cut at 5 IPS and 14,000 spindle speed. Z was .5
Not a single chip on either side. I used a 3/8" compression cutter mw. (Maximum wear)
Thanks for all the input guys,,,once again you make me look good.
David

[wberminio]

Glad to hear it all worked out David

Erminio

[routercoating]

Less expensive alternative might be a DLC coated router bit found on Amazon. I like these bits. In one job 14, 740 ft melamine was cut on a single bit.

[gene]

J
How bout send Gary Cambell a bit or two and let him test them for the shopbot community. He can give us an unbiast opinion..

[routercoating]

Gene,

Gary Campbell tried the coated bit and liked it. So did Jim McGrew. Do you want to order a couple and try the bits yourself? If you are not satisfied with the coated router bits, I will refund you immediately, including the freight.

If I did not hear it wrong, M. Stief, a regular member of the forum, told me he cut 200 sheets of plywood with one bit and still running.

Order from Amazon or send me an e-mail. Compare the results yourself.

[mark_stief]

Hey Ya'll
I want to clear the post above me up I've cut about 30-32 sheets at 200 feet of cuts per sheet and the same bit is still going strong sorry about the mix up Jerome but I like the bits very very well they are better than anything I've found so far

[gene]

Mark
Do you remember what the manafacturer of the bit is?

[mark_stief]

Gene
Got 6 of them from Jerome I don't think I'll be buying any bits for a long time just because of the way they don't wear out very good buts

[routercoating]

Sorry, Mark. I misunderstood you.

Let us know total sheets you have cut before you start using the 2nd bit.

[routercoating]

If anyone is interested in comparing the coated 3/8" compression ( plunge or mortise ) against mw, send me an e-mail. I will sell you one at higly discounted price.

I do not think you will be disappointed. If you are not satisfied with the performance of the bit you buy from me. I will fully refund you immediately.

I have at least two shops compared mw against coated bits. They both liked the coated ones. But they did not maintain accurate records.