Newbie Question about drill bits

[TedOlson]

I am in the process of building my X-Carve machine now. I am brand new to this hobby. I was wondering if anyone has broken it down for the different drill bits for different materials? I am assuming you should change them out for different materials? Any assistance would be great.

I apologize in advance if this question has been asked.

Thanks Ted

[BillArnold]

I’m assuming you mean bit like end mills, etc., rather than ‘drill’ bits. There’s a good discussion on this thread:

Favorite Bits

Thought it would be a good idea to start a topic about your favorite bits, what you use them for and where to get them. I use my X-carve for carving mostly foam and some wood. Like this workshop sign I did for my first project LINK. I was looking for a good spoilboard bit without the crazy costs out there. After searching google for a bit I found this bit that was 1/4in shank (you need to upgrade your collet as I did for the basic spindle.) 3/4 straight bit w/ a unique plunge blade (unique to m…

And, you can find a lot of information by doing a forum search for bits.

[BrianM]

I was in the same boat one month ago… The thread in the previous post has a ton of good info, but its also scattered out over ~100 messages.

I assume you got the DeWalt 611? If so, did you get the 1/8 collet adapter?

I would recommend getting some ‘cheap’ 1/8" double flute end mills to play with. I started with these from amazon and have abused the crap out of them… plywood, mdf, hardwood… etc.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010NI39WO

Keep in mind that ‘downcut’ bits will leave a cleaner cut on the top… but they are also more $$

V-Bits (90° and 60°) are great fun for V-Carving if you have the software.

¼" Bit Set for V-Carving

I’ve used those cheap 1/8" bits from amazon to cut .125" acrylic… But my best results have come from ‘Single Flute’ endmills.

1/8" (.1250") single flute carbide endmills for plastic - 1516.1250.400 | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-16-0625-single-flute-carbide-endmills-plastic-Kyocera-Tycom-/381165607550?hash=item58bf3d9a7e

For 3D carving you’ll want a nice Ball End bit for a smooth final cut…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-1250-CARBIDE-2-FLUTE-ENDMILLS-BALL-END-LONG-FLUTE-PLASTIC-WOOD-/381434463808?hash=item58cf440640

IMHO… i would just stick with good quality yet cheap basic end mills until you ‘need’ something else. I’ve been very happy with everything i’ve picked up from ‘Carbide Plus (drillman1)’ on ebay.
http://stores.ebay.com/CARBIDE-PLUS

Keep it simple until you get your feet wet… It won’t be long until your addicted to buying end mills just because they are cool (not because you have a need).

[BillArnold]

@BrianM

I assume you got the DeWalt 611? If so, did you get the 1/8 collet adapter?

It’s far better to get a 1/8" collet from Elaire. Check the forum about that.

[BrianM]

@BillArnold

@BrianM

I assume you got the DeWalt 611? If so, did you get the 1/8 collet adapter?

It’s far better to get a 1/8" collet from Elaire. Check the forum about that.

Agreed… that’s what i have on mine. i was just making sure he at least had a 1/8" collet.

[BillArnold]

When I ordered my 611 from Amazon, I got an adapter with it. I used it a couple of times and had some slippage, so I quickly ordered from Elaire.