So, I recently spent way too much money on a bunch of wood stock last weekend and I want to put it to use! I use the SO 5 Pro with the VFD Spindle and a collet for 1/4" shanks.
I’d love to cut a jewelry box from some 3" thick walnut I’m designing. Is there a longer end mill in the 3 1/2" or longer OAL range that you can recommend? Probably 5/16" diameter (or something slightly wider than the 1/4" shank) would be best here. I’d be cool to have a flat end mill and a 5/16" ball end mill in this length. In theory, I would be cutting in shallow passes, so, in theory, a 1" cutting length should be fine.
I understand that longer end mills will could spell trouble from lateral forces, so, any tips on feeds and speed for this application are also welcome .
This is the long-end mill I own. Yes, I have already broken one.
I use the standard Carbide Create Feeds and speeds for the 201 EM with this bit.
One tip I have found helpful is to run two toolpaths when cutting +1" thick material. I use a regular 201 to go from 0 to 1". Then, I made a second tool path from 1" to the bottom. This puts less time on the long-end mill and allows for better dust collection.
5/16" (or 8mm) can be markedly stiffer — collets for that are available from Elaire Corp. for the Makita RT0701/0700 (also works in the Standard Carbide Compact Router) and for ER-11 collets (any good quality vendor — Precise Bits if they have that size, I got some from Maritool).
Harvey and Garr Tools both also have long reach endmills (the Garr Tools 1/8" is one of my favourites).
I have a Melin 4" OAL with 1.5" cutting depth. With the long length in a trim router run out can be a problem. So when I insert that bit I push it up all the way and then pull it back down about a 1/4". When the router starts if it sounds funny I pause/stop and reinsert the bit and start over. The other issue with the 4" OAL bit is it gets a lot of vibration. So I have learned to pause the program and tighten the collet. With the larger amount of vibration the bit can come loose and cause depth of cut issues. The bits work fine but have some gotcha’s so just be aware of them and take precautions.
I understand that Cadance Manufacturing makes a 3" OAL bit that has with 1.5" cutting depth. I had read one of their bits had the 1.5" cutting flutes but could go as deep as 2". The bit I linked does not say the 2" and it could be another bit. They relieved the bit at the top of the cutting flutes. Take a look at their bits. I have the 60 degree down cut groovee jenny and it is great bit.
I just bought the Cadence extended reach. I got it to use on a jewelry box that’s still in progress, but haven’t used the bit yet. There were several members here that have it and recommended it for deep pockets.
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