Plunge router bits??? buying advice

[CaptainSawdust]

Hi there,

First time poster so please be nice. Wondering if people could shed some light/ steer me in the right direction. I want to use my router to cut mortices but my regular straight cutting bits really struggle with the plunging element of the job. I've looked on a variety of websites for 'plunge bits' but come up short- only being given the same old straight cutters.

Am I using my straight cutters incorrectly or are there specific bits out there?

Any help would be really useful and thanks.

 

[marcros]

do the cutters have an end cutting element- if you look at them end on, do the carbide parts meet in the middle? If not, that is your problem.

have a look here http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Onl ... k_240.html

 

[sploo]

Consider spiral upcut bits if you can get them for a decent price. I use 1/4" carbide bits on the CNC machine, but I've found them excellent for plunge jobs with the router for handheld work.

 

[Eric The Viking]

The wealden ones work well. I have a couple of them.

The third blade projects slightly less than the other two. I think its main job is to help chip clearance, but the bottom of the hole is left very clean too.

I'd guess upcut is better, but I don't yet own one.

 

[Beau]

Spiral upcuts are the dogs danglies IMO. For straight cuts I rarely use anything else and for plunging they are streets ahead of any other cutter I have used to date.

Faster, cleaner, better clearance what's not to like? Oh the price But they stay sharp for an age.

For big upcut bits I found these guys good value and the quality seems the same as other suppliers. https://routercutter.co.uk/up-cut-2-flute-spirals

 

[Eric The Viking]

Thanks - I didn't know Whiteside were easily available here.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Try to clamp a block either side of your mortice or else use a two fence setup so that you're not struggling to hold the router square to the workpiece on a narrow edge. At least then half your strength and attention isn't wasted trying to hold the router in the right place.

 

[CaptainSawdust]

Wow, great advice- thanks very much and thanks for the links. Looks like I need to hide a few more bits on the bank statement from the fiancée.