Keyhole Router Bit

[Bnturnbo (Brandi turnbo)]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a keyhole router bit? Also a good tutorial on how to actually do them? Does anyone else ask as many questions as I do? Lol! TIA!
Brandi

[mhotchin (Michael Hotchin)]

I have had good luck with a keyhole bit from Lee Valley:

Keyhole Router Bits - Lee Valley Tools

However, I’m sure there are many other places to get them.

To use the bit, mark where you want the entry to be with a circle. Size doesn’t matter, you just need the center of the circle to be the center of the entry. Then you can use the built-in ‘Keyhole’ path to do all the work. The most important thing is to set the ‘Angle’ parameter - 0 degrees cuts to the right from the entry, 90 degrees straight up, etc continuing anti-clockwise.

Also set the depth appropriately for your bit and the material.

Finally, the simulation will not be accurate - it will show the location of the cut properly, but it will show it as if it was an endmill.

[Bnturnbo (Brandi turnbo)]

Thank you! This was perfect!

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

For more on the toolpath see

Carbide Create V7 Question- Keyhole toolpath

I’ve seen more and more references to people trying to work out how to make keyholes in CC. We’d be open to adding that as a toolpath in V7 so I’d like a little feedback. To simplify, we’d probably define the location with a circle, like the drilling toolpath, and then you’d define how tall you’d like the keyhole to be, and what direction from the center, Y+, Y-, X+, X-. We’d probably implement the toolpath as a plunge, line to the end and back, then a retract. We would not offer to “expand”…

and for a compleat discussion of doing it manually (which should convey all the specifics) see:

Using a keyhole tool

This came up in a support e-mail — unfortunately, Carbide Create can’t preview this, but it can be done — it just takes a bit of faith: ​ ​First, model the slot (the width should be a bit more than the shaft of the keyhole tool, the length equal to how long you want) — this is best done as two circles and a rectangle all connected — using a rectangle makes it easy to position the circles since one can use the midpoints: [image] ​Then draw in the entry hole (this should be a bit more in dia…

[Varty5 (Michael)]

Your willingness to ask questions gives us answers to things we are also curious about; much appreciated!

[ehendrix (Eric Hendrix)]

@Bnturnbo

a keyhole router bit

Any Big Box hardware store should have keyhole router bits. I bought mine at Menards and it works quite well.

[Bnturnbo (Brandi turnbo)]

Thank you! You all have been such a big help!

[Bnturnbo (Brandi turnbo)]

Thank you! I’ll take a look!