Breaking bits

X-Carve Troubleshooting
1

I got my X-Carve setup this last week and have made several good carvings. However, I have broken 2 of the 1/8" 2FL straight bits going through pine. I used Easle with feed rate of 40 in/min, Plunge rate of 9 in/min, and depth per pass of 0.028 in. Both bits have broken off in the collet about 1/8" from the top of the bit.The bit is seated fully in the collet as the black ring is flush against the bottom of the router. I am using the Dewault 611 with the 1/8" adapter sent from inventables. Any ideas why it would be breaking in the collet?
Thanks!

3

As Phil says your feedrate and depth per pass seem fine. So I would check to be sure everthing is tight. If your Z axis has any looseness then the chance of breaing a bit is much higher.

With the power turned off and a .125 tool loaded in the collet, grab the end of the tool and try to move it left/right/forward/backward/up/down. If you can wiggle it in any direction you need to find out what is loose and tighten it. It will most likely be a loose v-wheel, or bolt has worked loose on the Z axis attechment somewhere.

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4

Thanks Phil, I will get one of those collets. I figured my rates were a little slow but I wanted to make sure everything was cutting alright before trying anything faster.

5

Thanks Allen. I just checked it. There is no movement left/right or up/down. There is a tiny bit of movement forward/back. I can’t decide if that is flex in the X axis maker slides or if a v-wheel is loose. How tight should those v-wheels be? Should you be able to turn them with your fingers with little pressure?

6

You should be able to turn them with your thumb with a moderate pressure. You just want to be sure you eliminate as much play as possible.

7

Have you been able to make any successful cuts? What speed are you setting the Dewalt to?

8

Ok. I may need to tighten them up just a pinch. I’ll give it a try.

9

Here is what I got with my x-carve. 1/4" collet with an adapter for 1/8".

IMG_0921.JPG640×640 153 KB

10

I have made some successful cuts and a few good projects. It seems to cut pretty square from what i can tell. I am going to check my square again this afternoon to make sure everything is good there and then tighten up the v-wheels a bit. I may need to find a thread on the power adjustments also.

11

I was thinking (incorrectly) you had a .125 collet. Yes, immediatly order a real .125 collet, those adapters are nothing but trouble.

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12

Doing it now! Thanks!

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