What's your fav 60* bit for V-carving?

[tim_mcknight]

I'm still using my "kit" Onsrud 60* bit but it was suggested to me by a more experienced Botter to save it for deeper cuts since most of the work I have been doing is only using just the tip of the bit. I was wondering what your favorite lower cost bits are? For shallow lettering and V-carve work do you prefer a 1/4" shank and smaller OD bit or a larger 1/2" shank bit?

[tmerrill]

Tim,

For me that's an easy question. The best 60 degree bit I've found is CMT's 858.001.11. Here is a picture on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/CMT-858-001-11-Cutting-Diameter-16-Inch/dp/B000P4NSYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1255978966&sr= 8-1

They also make a half-inch shank version, 858.501.11, that has the same size cutting head. I keep one on hand for v-carving in hardwoods. For everything else I use the 1/4" shank.

You do have to use care in setting your Z-zero. I do it manually and do not recommend using a z-zero plate. That's how sharp the point is.

Tim

[gerald_martin]

Hello Shopbotters:

I got that guilty feeling - I was considering posting this for a while already but kept my "secret".

My all-time best cutter in a 1/4" 60 deg. is Southeast Tool's SE1541 cutter. You can purchase from any Southeast dealer, but Carbide Processors has had good price, reasonable shipping.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com/store/southeast_vgroove-60.html#3665

I also have tried Centurion's v-bits...Unlike other Centurion tools, I did not care for their v-bits - I'm no bit manufacturer but there was only a taper ground on those bits, and no "inset" to give a rake to the cutting edge.

Southeast's cutter, like Centurion's, comes to an extremely sharp point. It comes razor-sharp and leaves an extremely clean edge - almost no splintering.

I also tried Whiteside's similar 1/4" three flute cutter but it did not come to quite the true point that Southeast's did. It worked well when fine detail was not an issue.

My vote: SE1541 for a 1/4" v-groover.

Gerald

[gene]

Has anyone tried insert tooling for doing carving. I wanted to hear how it works before i spend that much on it

[ed_lang]

I use Amana Tool RC-1108 60* and RC-1102 90* insert cutters and love them.
I purchased from Tools Today. They give a 10% discount for buying 5 of the same cutter too. Orders over $35 receive FREE shipping.

[srwtlc]

Don't know who to recommend for insert tooling, but I can tell you to not bother with Her-Saf insert tooling. I've had nothing but problems with them. Balance, accuracy, and geometry are unacceptable for CNC work.

[rcnewcomb]

I second Tim's recommendation of the CMT 60º bits -- consistently good cuts. We have probably used over 100 of them in the past 4 years.

[zeykr]

Unlike Scott, I've had really good experience with Hersaf bits. Just got the small body 60 and using it a lot. My hersaf 90 is the workhorse around here.

[cnc_works]

Ed, I'm interested to hear your feedback. I bought a Her-Saf 60deg and while it cuts just fine, the orbit (flat spot at bottom of the cut) has to be at least .030" which is just too much for fine lettering. V-carving small letters with serifs results in a small rounding of the corner instead of a sharp corner along with a relatively large flat at the deepest part of the letter. They won't guarantee much better than that, either. Amana says theirs "averages" about .015" which is borderline for fine work (letters maybe .5" high or less).

Not only that, but the cost of the inserts are within a dollar or two of a solid Onsrud or other quality bit that has no orbit problem.

So, what is your experience with the above comments?

Donn

[nailzscott]

I have been looking at these whiteside bits -
http://www.woodzone.com/woodwork/V-Groove-Bits/342031.htm

There are other places that have free shipping (over $29), but this site shows the details. They have 3 cutting edges and I wondered if that might help on cleaner cuts.

Has anyone used these?

[tmerrill]

Scott,

I own one of the Whiteside 1541 and don't use it much. It does a decent job but not as good as the CMT I reference above. You also run into the situation where the cutting depth is so shallow you will be into multiple passes for all but the smallest v-carves.

I might add that I am a Whiteside fan and own/use more of their bits than any other company, but in this case they are not #1 in my opinion.

Tim

[ed_lang]

Donn, I am between machines right now and cannot test your exact example so I have to go from memory here. I have not noticed the error you speak about, but I can see how it can happen. In fact, I wonder how it would not happen on any insert cutter. Seems to me that a solid carbide cutter ground would be the best option for you.

When I get the new machine up and running, I will be sure to test exactly what you are speaking of and try to remember to post back. If you don't hear back in a week or so, please remind me.

I plan to pick up the new machine this Friday the 23rd so give me a day or two to get it running.

As for the price of a solid cutter from Onsrude vs an insert..... If you can buy cutters for $7 to $8 each, please let me know where so I can get some. Each insert is about $15 each and it has two sides that can be used. Some smaller ones have four sides that can be used and the larger ones only one.

e

[tim_mcknight]

Scott,
I ordered some of the Southeast bits so I will give you a report next week. I also ordered one of their 3/4" ball nose bits for the ebony project we have been working on so I hope that may help to reduce the chip out?

[gerald_martin]

Tim, you're on the right track. That's why I mentioned the difference between the Southeast 1541 and the Whiteside 1541 in the previous post. I thought they might be identical but only the Southeast SE1541 comes to a true razor-tip finger-prick point. You will not be disappointed.

Gerald

[pete]

What is your typical use for the 60 degree bit; lettering?

[donchapman]

I agree CMT's 60 degree bits are excellent and I have used them for dozens of projects ranging from HDU, plywood, juniper cedar, western red cedar, white and yellow pine, oak, walnut, and ipe.

I use them for v-carve incised lettering on some projects, but more often for raised lettering where I outline the letters with the v bit and hog out the rest of the background with a straight bit so the end result is lettering/graphics with a sloped shoulder that makes them stonger.

Unless you're cutting just HDU, do not waste your money on Woodcraft's 60 degree bits which dull very quickly.

[cnc_works]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Ed.

Unless you have a source I cannot find, the inserts for the Amana cost me about $20 and because of the geometry of the 60deg, you only get one side per insert. The 90deg and the 120deg both will give you two sides which definitely cut the cost.

Right now I have a 60deg Her-Saf, a 90deg Her-Saf, a 120deg Her-Saf and a 3/4" unknown straight cutter insert. I've been pretty pleased with them all except for the 60deg. The 90deg suffers from the same problem of large orbit, but since I use it primarily for larger letters it works fine. Both the 120deg and the straight bit work great.

Anyway, if you (or anybody) have insights into cheaper sourcing or other alternative insert availability, I'd love to hear.

I'm suspecting I'll end up trying the CMT 1/2" 2-flute and the 1/4" solid single flute both of which are just a little cheaper than the insert after shipping.

Donn

[tim_mcknight]

"What is your typical use for the 60 degree bit; lettering?"

Hi Peter, I am using the 60* bit for lettering on smaller signs.