I’ve had 2 of my 1/16 ball nose bits with a 1/8" shank snap recently. Would my feed rate or plunge rates be too high that would cause them to bind? The first one I watched as it was carving and it was carving across the plane of the wood and snapped, no real binding on it.
Each time I switch to a 1/8 ball nose with a 1/4 shank and have no issues, but I’m trying to get more detail than that bit provides.
How do I keep them from snapping?
Thanks.
What settings were used for the instance where they snapped? Can you post a photo of the carve where the bit broke, and the cut settings used (feedrate, plungerate, etc)
I didn’t get a pic, but it was about 5 minutes into a 3d carve of a butterfly. The first time I was working on a dragonfly. Each time one has snapped, it’s been in the initial stage as it’s starting to shape the edge of whatever I’m carving.
Settings were 90 in/min feed rate, 36 in/min plunge, 8% step over, spindle speed 16k rpm.
My guess is maybe the plunge rate is too aggressive?
You can get a 1/16 ball nose or smaller in 1/4" shank. That would be the best option.
I use this for fine detail it is less that 0.04" radius.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015C6CHUC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oh, youre doing 3d finishing passes…
A tapered ball bit would be more appropriate for this and the taper geometry make them much stronger than straight sided ball bits.
