muddflap

i am wanting to make mortises on my router table and want to know what spiral bit is best to use a up cut or a down cut?

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Gilbear

The UpCut spiral is what you want - the UP is in reference to a normal hand held position, meaning it's pulling chips up towards the collett and out of the cut - it gets confusing when in a table because up is actually down, unless I'm flipped!

jerrymayfield

You are correct. The only place I have ever used a down cut spiral bit was in a hand-held router,with a guide, to trim a small amount off a pattern,away from the shop and that was what my friend had. I don't own any.

Regards

Jerry

Birchwood

Hey you guys: I have a 1/2" shank 1/2" but solid carbide spiral up-cut bit I have never used. My wife bought it for me couple years ago and I have never used it. Part of the reason is I keep reading horror stories about spiral bits eating projects, destroying workshop, maiming humans and destroying cities. Is it ALL true? I saw a similar bit and it was $60. Maybe I should put it on Ebay huh?

Gilbear

Hi BW,
My personal opinion is they're smoother running and cleaner cutting than most straight cut bits 'cause they have more of a shearing action rather than chopping or chipping - and with less chip out on end cuts to boot, especially on verticle cuts where the bit is coming out the face material (box joints for instance) - and less edge damage to plywood layers also - haven't heard about them destroying any cities, but as to maiming humans, I wouldn't rest my nose on it while it's runnning!!
If you really want to get rid of it, let me send you my address - I'll dispose of it for you free of charge!!LOL
Seriously, I'd give it a try before canning it! Besides, it was a gift from the little lady - sounds to me like she knows what she's doing! Maybe I'll have MY wife contact her for gift suggestions!

bobj3

"I'll dispose of it for you free of charge!!LOL"

ME TOO

I will pay shipping plus a bit for the shipping box and maybe kick in 10 bucks ,,, LOL :>)

Bj

Gilbear

OK, now I feel the price wars comin on - I'll match and raise ya $5 (U.S.) LOL
Plus I'll throw in my secret recipe for my Long Island Sweet and Sour mix!
Top THAT bj!!
Seriously man, give that bit a try!!

bobj3

Birchwood

As you can see you should keep the bit and use it.
Next time you watch the router boys (Rick and Bob) they use the bit all the time.

Bj

bobj3

Just in case, hahahahaha
$15.oo plus a 1/5 Old Crown that I got for Xmax. LOL
LOL

Keep the bit and use it you will like it I'm sure.
Bj

reible