These cutters look the biz and I’ll be trying them out for sure. I don’t know anything about these particular bits but just wanted to say that I constantly use 8mm shank (Datron 3in1 typically, with a precision 8mm collet) for all my rougher and finer brass work (still minuscule passes depth though) and the same old Makita RT0701c and have no issues. I’d love to have a spindle or try out the cutters but pennies are too tight this year, hopefully Xmas is good and I’ll swing in and grab the cutters then.
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I used the two new V tools at:
and have been quite pleased w/ them.
That said, they really want the torque which a spindle affords.
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New El Ocho’s -
Picked up the 60 Deg V, rougher and ball nose in 8mm. I’ll report back when I get to use them.
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Now that the newsletter folks have had a day to purchase, we can share the collection link here:
We made these specifically for our users with an ER-11 VFD, since 8mm is the biggest cutter that will fit in an ER-11 collet.
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I’ve always mentally modeled the machine and spindle as the weakest links as opposed to the cutter. With that in mind, I’m a little surprised to hear that an 8mm can move much more material than a quarter inch.
I suppose I figured (probably incorrectly) that either tool would max out the machines capability 
Are there any MRR numbers or something similar to compare 1/4” vs 8mm within the constraints of the same material and machine?
I’m just curious to see what these things are capable of in the right hands 
If you want to see what they’re capable of in the wrong hands, send me one. I bet you I can break it really fast 
Well, the larger area of the bit alone allows it to remove more material, the thicker diameter means the feed rate can be increased with less deflection. I have definitely seen the benefit of the 5/16”/8mm diameter on my “little” 65mm spindle.
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I have 1 8mm bit and have only used it a few time.
I must say that the 8mm ER-11 chuck seems dainty by comparison to the others. The hole for that larger shaft doesn’t leave much room for chuck material.
I will probably order some of these bits though to try them out.
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I haven’t had an issue with them so far, they tighten just like the smaller bits do. The real limit with the version 1 65mm spindle is there is very little head space for them due to the ID of the shaft. There technically is more than enough engagement however.
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The collet is fine, because the metal, as thin as it looks, is purely being compressed into the taper of the spindle without any gaps. The spindle taper will squeeze from the outside, and the endmill presses back from the inside. There’s absolutely zero chance of the collet bending or moving in a direction that will break it.
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Well, I received the El Ocho bits, nicely packaged. While I have not chucked them up yet, I have come across the first issue with them. It seems the cool retro tins will force me to rethink my storage color coordination principles. I had no idea these 8mm bits would be so problematic… 
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I finally got around to using these new 8mm endmills today, but have had them a few weeks now. I have the “older” 65mm VFD on my Shapeoko 5 Pro which uses the ER-11 collet, so I made sure to purchase one of the collets as well.
I cut a piece of 4/4 Ash today and it worked beautifully! I will be using the 8mm sized endmills as my go-to from now on.
Thanks, Carbide 3D!
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