High Speed Spindle Discussion

[Jr's Farm]

I found a very reasonable compromise in my Bosch 1617 router with PreciseBit collets. For a total outlay of around $300, I was pleasantly surprised to get these results. This is not staged, with repeated attempts to get a good result. This is a first try and is typical. The router runs without vibration, even wide open. My inlays are cleaner, sharp corners have less fracturing. My shafts are coming out even smoother with no chatter at all. Of course, I'm limited to 25,000 rpm but I haven't found that to be a problem. FWIW, I rarely use anything smaller than 1/64" bits.

Thanks for a great alternative, Bob!
It's good to know that accuracy can be had for a fairly minimal outlay. Can you compare the loudness of your Bosch to the Kress at full blast? It's also good to know that you can use the 1/64" bits...what kind of feed speed and D.O.C. can you get away with them?

Regards,
Frank

 

[pescadoman]

Thanks for a great alternative, Bob!
It's good to know that accuracy can be had for a fairly minimal outlay. Can you compare the loudness of your Bosch to the Kress at full blast? It's also good to know that you can use the 1/64" bits...what kind of feed speed and D.O.C. can you get away with them?

Regards,
Frank

I don't have a Kress, but the Bosch is much quieter than a PC or a Dewalt. I think is as quiet or more than the rigid. Kress is about the only lam router I don't have..

 

[dzcues]

Thanks for a great alternative, Bob!
It's good to know that accuracy can be had for a fairly minimal outlay. Can you compare the loudness of your Bosch to the Kress at full blast? It's also good to know that you can use the 1/64" bits...what kind of feed speed and D.O.C. can you get away with them?

Regards,
Frank

At full blast, you would be wise to wear ear protection with either one. The Bosch might be slightly quieter, probably because it runs smoother.

Speeds & feeds will vary with woods used & how deeply the cutter will be buried. Typically, with a 1/64" cutter, I ramp down at .015" per pass @ 4 ipm. Remember, you're only cleaning up tight corners so time isn't a big factor here. That's usually safe in something like ebony or cocobolo. Fiberous woods require extra caution.

Friday, I cut these pockets (100 all together) .100" deep in ebony using the same .020 cutter. I was ramping down .025"/pass at 10 ipm for the contour & 12 ipm for the pocket. Note: I cut the contour first & pocket last so the cutter is loaded more consistently. Yeah, I could have saved 15 minutes switching to 1/32" to rough out the long inlays but I was too lazy. FYI, all the inlays have a .005" radius in all corners. No black epoxy used in this cue.

Point is...that's a lot of work out of one .020 cutter & it still has life in it.

 

[4.0x3.48]

Beautiful work! Would you mind saying what software you use to generate your code? Do you create smaller pockets for the corner work, or will your software identify "left over" material and address only the remaining stock?

 

[cutter]

Spindle

Great ring design.
One question, how do you get an .005 inside radius with a .020 cutter.
I'm probably missing something, as usual.
Also great info on cutting the contour before the pocket.

 

[dzcues]

Beautiful work! Would you mind saying what software you use to generate your code? Do you create smaller pockets for the corner work, or will your software identify "left over" material and address only the remaining stock?

I use MasterCam9. I just recently learned it will identify & address areas needing cleanup but I find it easier to create a new program for the corners. I'm sure that a little more familiarity with that feature of MC9 would change my mind but old habits die hard.

Great ring design.
One question, how do you get an .005 inside radius with a .020 cutter.
I'm probably missing something, as usual.
Also great info on cutting the contour before the pocket.

As usual, I'm cheating. Attached pic of the trim inlay should make it clear. Just create a larger radius with an opening large enough for the cutter to pass. As you can see, the larger radius leaves a gap that is only .0028" wide at the largest point. That's why I don't need black epoxy.

 

[cutter]

Spindle

Thanks Bob, and yes you are sneaky. Sneaky smart about doing it that way.

 

[Jr's Farm]

At full blast, you would be wise to wear ear protection with either one. The Bosch might be slightly quieter, probably because it runs smoother.

Speeds & feeds will vary with woods used & how deeply the cutter will be buried. Typically, with a 1/64" cutter, I ramp down at .015" per pass @ 4 ipm. Remember, you're only cleaning up tight corners so time isn't a big factor here. That's usually safe in something like ebony or cocobolo. Fiberous woods require extra caution.

Friday, I cut these pockets (100 all together) .100" deep in ebony using the same .020 cutter. I was ramping down .025"/pass at 10 ipm for the contour & 12 ipm for the pocket. Note: I cut the contour first & pocket last so the cutter is loaded more consistently. Yeah, I could have saved 15 minutes switching to 1/32" to rough out the long inlays but I was too lazy. FYI, all the inlays have a .005" radius in all corners. No black epoxy used in this cue.

Point is...that's a lot of work out of one .020 cutter & it still has life in it.

Bob,

Thanks again for all the info! Beautiful veneers on that cue too. Good stuff.