I dropped my large diameter pattern bit (Oops!!!). I noticed a tiny (very
very small) chip in the carbide on one of the flutes. The second flute
would probably clean-up after the damaged flute, but is there a hidden
danger in using a bit that is damaged? Can the carbide come apart under
stress and throw shrapnel now?
I will probably just replace the bit because it is bugging me, but should I
save it or throw it away?
--
Stoutman
www.garagewoodworks.com
Morris Dovey wrote:
>
> The bit is going to be (at least somewhat) unbalanced, which probably
> wouldn't do much to improve the condition of your router bearings if
> the bit were otherwise safe.
>
> You could have the bit sharpened - ground down until the divot was
> gone - but then it wouldn't match up with its own bearing.
>
> Adding in the potential for hidden fracturing, I'd be inclined to
> scrap the bit.
Like he said. Carbide is brittle. Better safe than sorry,
particularly with a large diameter bit.
R
Carbide: Tough and hard as hell, but , alas, easy to chip.
I'd say half my cutters are chipped (Viewing with 10x lens) from abuse
and wear. If you want to minimize, careful storage and handling are
important. Also I keep many old rugs around the router stations, even
changing bits where there is one present
Safety issues: No, major breaks yes, but not dings & chips.
The chip will leave a high-line on the work; that may or may not be
the bigger issue.
http://www.patwarner.com (Routers)
*********************************
On Mar 16, 5:49 pm, "Stoutman" <.@.> wrote:
> I dropped my large diameter pattern bit (Oops!!!). I noticed a tiny (very
> very small) chip in the carbide on one of the flutes. The second flute
> would probably clean-up after the damaged flute, but is there a hidden
> danger in using a bit that is damaged? Can the carbide come apart under
> stress and throw shrapnel now?
>
> I will probably just replace the bit because it is bugging me, but should I
> save it or throw it away?
>
> --
> Stoutmanwww.garagewoodworks.com
Stoutman wrote:
| I dropped my large diameter pattern bit (Oops!!!). I noticed a
| tiny (very very small) chip in the carbide on one of the flutes.
| The second flute would probably clean-up after the damaged flute,
| but is there a hidden danger in using a bit that is damaged? Can
| the carbide come apart under stress and throw shrapnel now?
|
| I will probably just replace the bit because it is bugging me, but
| should I save it or throw it away?
The bit is going to be (at least somewhat) unbalanced, which probably
wouldn't do much to improve the condition of your router bearings if
the bit were otherwise safe.
You could have the bit sharpened - ground down until the divot was
gone - but then it wouldn't match up with its own bearing.
Adding in the potential for hidden fracturing, I'd be inclined to
scrap the bit.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html
No, it will not come apart. If a small chip would make a cutter come apart,
I can't imagine how many holes I'd have in me by now. Don't chuck it, have
it reground. You can either use it as a rougher, leaving a small amount for
a finish pass with another bit or you can take the bearing off and use it
like that.
"Stoutman" <.@.> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I dropped my large diameter pattern bit (Oops!!!). I noticed a tiny (very
> very small) chip in the carbide on one of the flutes. The second flute
> would probably clean-up after the damaged flute, but is there a hidden
> danger in using a bit that is damaged? Can the carbide come apart under
> stress and throw shrapnel now?
>
> I will probably just replace the bit because it is bugging me, but should
I
> save it or throw it away?
>
> --
> Stoutman
> www.garagewoodworks.com
>
>