I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
wondering if this is normal, or should the bit easily plunge onto the
wood?
I've been trying this with poplar and pine. The router is a Bosch 1617
with var speed. The bit came from MLCSWoodworking.com
If I want to make a 3/4" deep mortise, how many passes should I need.
(i.e 3 passes at 1/4 inch deep each pass). Or should I be able to make
the mortise in one pass?
Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
Mitch
MB wrote:
> I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
> few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
> into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
It should drill without too much effort. But, not all spirals are
intended to be plunged - make sure the one you have is intended for
making plunge cuts.
Mort
On Feb 4, 7:42 pm, "MB" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
> few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
> into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
> wondering if this is normal, or should the bit easily plunge onto the
> wood?
>
Would still be advisable to sweep & plunge simultaneously at ~ 1/8 -
3/16/pass.
Some talk about morticing at the link:
http://patwarner.com/router_morticing.html
*************************************
> I've been trying this with poplar and pine. The router is a Bosch 1617
> with var speed. The bit came from MLCSWoodworking.com
>
> If I want to make a 3/4" deep mortise, how many passes should I need.
> (i.e 3 passes at 1/4 inch deep each pass). Or should I be able to make
> the mortise in one pass?
>
> Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
>
> Mitch
> >I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
> >few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
> >into the wood
I did the same thing - I got a 3/8" solid carbide spiral upcut by CMT
(at $50+, one of the more expensive bits I own). It plunges and cuts
mortises with no hesitation or burning - I think I did 1/4" - 3/8"
deep per pass. Highly recommended mortise method, though I'd probably
look for a solid carbide end mill in the future to save some $, as per
recommendations from this ng.
I've had good luck with MLCS bits in the past, but maybe their spiral
bits just don't "cut it". (Sorry, couldn't help it...) Is your bit
solid carbide? If not, that should make a big difference.
Good luck,
Andy
It should plunge quite well. No burning should happen. Sounds like you have
a defective bit there. 1/4" per pass is about right.
"MB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
> few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
> into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
> wondering if this is normal, or should the bit easily plunge onto the
> wood?
>
> I've been trying this with poplar and pine. The router is a Bosch 1617
> with var speed. The bit came from MLCSWoodworking.com
>
> If I want to make a 3/4" deep mortise, how many passes should I need.
> (i.e 3 passes at 1/4 inch deep each pass). Or should I be able to make
> the mortise in one pass?
>
> Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
>
> Mitch
>
On 4 Feb 2007 19:42:08 -0800, "MB" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
>few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
>into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
>wondering if this is normal, or should the bit easily plunge onto the
>wood?
>
>I've been trying this with poplar and pine. The router is a Bosch 1617
>with var speed. The bit came from MLCSWoodworking.com
>
>If I want to make a 3/4" deep mortise, how many passes should I need.
>(i.e 3 passes at 1/4 inch deep each pass). Or should I be able to make
>the mortise in one pass?
>
>Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
An upcut bit should pull itself into the wood (I've had them pull
themselves right out of the router). Are you _sure_ it's not a
downcut?
>Mitch
"MB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
> few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
> into the wood and there is usually some burning while plunging. I'm
> wondering if this is normal, or should the bit easily plunge onto the
> wood?
>
> I've been trying this with poplar and pine. The router is a Bosch 1617
> with var speed. The bit came from MLCSWoodworking.com
>
> If I want to make a 3/4" deep mortise, how many passes should I need.
> (i.e 3 passes at 1/4 inch deep each pass). Or should I be able to make
> the mortise in one pass?
>
> Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
>
> Mitch
>
A better brand bit should yield better bits and FWIW a 3/8" end mill bit
typically works better.
On 4 Feb 2007 19:42:08 -0800, "MB" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I bought a 3/8" spiral upcut bit to create mortises. While making a
>few trial cuts, it seems to me that the bit does not readily "drill"
>into the wood
[...snip...]
>
>Thanks for any info or recommended techniques.
>
>Mitch
Some bits don't have cutters at the bottom. You can drill a hole to be
a "starter", then use the router bit. I'd drill the hole near but not
right at the end.