@Zach_Kaplan here’s the link for the bit I was using for the deep pocket: 0.25" 4 flute. I’ve had similar experience with 2 flute. This is in hard maple BTW. The pocket worked fine, the outside contour failed when cutting with the grain. Cross grain worked fine. As an aside, the same op works with a 1/8 bit. That’s the part that is puzzling to me.
@jdm - I tried something similar when I started with this bit and the makita. I was able to get reliable cuts up to 80ipm and 0.125 DOC. But that was plywood scrap. The issues I’m having are hard maple. Since I now have a couple unusable maple pieces maybe I’ll start exploring there. Thanks for the suggestion.