Best endmill/bit to use on plywood

Hi, I have a Shapeoko 5 Pro and I would like to get advice on what is the best endmill/bit and speed, depth, etc. settings to cut a round hole in a half inch thick plywood without causing a lot of chipping. I see one or two posts on the subject on here, but they are pretty old and none using the Shapeoko 5 Pro. Thank you for your time.

To avoid chipping, you would either want to start with a downcut, and finish with an upcut, OR use a compression bit, starting at least as deep as the upcut portion.

I have had good luck with the ‘Jenny’ bit.

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I really like using a downcut tool in plywood. Our #251:

is probably my favourite.

Our Amana Starter Pack:

has

  • #46202-K .25" 2 flute down-cut
  • #46200-K .125" 2 flute down-cut

(note these are also available in various other packs as well as separately from various other resellers)

and

has:

  • #46202-K .25" 2 flute spiral down cut
  • #46170-K .25" 2 flute compression cutter

where the latter is excellent if your design/CAM allows ramping in away from an edge or a side entry at a suitable so that the downcut portion may be engaged before one reaches the edge of a part.

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