I’m doing a rather large project carving everything using my 1/8" ball nose for the finish 3d carving. This project has a lot of parts that go for a long time. For instance, I ran a job yesterday that took about 8 hr continuous on that bit alone. At some point, it will be getting dull from so much usage, especially since I’ve been running it on cherry and maple. So how do you know when it’s time to swap bits? It still seems like it’s cutting fine so I’m still running it, but I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas or thoughts.
The cherry will burn with a dull bit.
Drag your fingernail on the cutting edge, if it leaves a mark easily you should be ok.
Compare the used bit to a new one.
Wait for someone with a clue to provide better answers.
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Rob: when the bit produces considerable amount of dust instead of chips either the settings need to be adjusted, or the bit becomes dull. The more dull a bit is the more it produces heat. Jim is right IMO: hard wood will get burn with dull bits (maple may get burn marks also with sharp bits I just learned because of the content of maple sap…), and the chips even can catch fire with dull bits / wrong settings. Please do not ask how I know.
IMO it is worth to buy one of these cheap USB microscopes, and inspect the blade.
Looks pretty sharp on the phone cam, right?
not so much under the microscope:
and for cutting edges you will see the same.
The better the brand is you choose the longer the bits last. And the more having them re-sharpened is worth it. Dinosaw is a domestic company, not far from my place, their bits are something. I think they are made for cutting steel, I never asked. And they make them after one’s wishes. I once needed a rather long 1/8" O-flute, and I got it. They re-sharpen. They cannot work with 1/8"shank bits,
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