CNC Router Bits
Have no idea what to get, that's ok! Here is a rough guide to get you going.
- Pine/ Hardwood/ MDF -
- 2 flute up cut is more than fine to use but there are better suited cutters out there. Up cut does create a bit of a burr so it's ok to use when that is not an issue.
- compression (up/down cut) bit is a great alternative when you are cutting all the way through. A compression bit cuts up through the material for the first 4mm and the rest as down cut.
- down cut when you want to cut into your material or are not too fussed about a bottom finish.
- straight cut is the happy medium for both profile and through cutting. These do not pull up or down and leave a good finish. They will not last as long as the compression cutter due to is't geometry.
- Laminates (Plywood) - the go to for these materials are a compression and straight cut.
- Aluminium Composite (ACM)
- Cast Acrylic - a 1 flute bit ejects the chips well and are the go to. Extruded acrylic is hard to mill and should be avoided
- Aluminium - a good quality 1 flute for soft metals has the best results
- HDPE/ 2 ply colour ABS - a 1 flute cut be used for profiling and cutting. For lettering, both V bit and tapered bits will produce a fine result.
- 3D profiling - you have a choice of ball nose cutters with a long cutting length or tapered end mills
