Replies

1. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 12, 2002 06:30pm | #1

   CF, a lot of people expect too much from router bits. They use them too hard, cutting too deep, and force the router along too fast. Then there are ocassions where a piece of metal or a knot is hit, or they move the router too slowly causing the bit to get hot and they burn the timber, etc..

   Small bits, as your 1/4" diameter bit was, are easily broken. There are so many factors that might cause a failure outwith the manufacturers control-- such as user error, that it would be hard for them to get too excited about testing your specific bit.

   I could have sent Amana (or to an independent tester) several broken 1/4" bits for them to test over the years, and so could thousands of other woodworkers, and I'd guess that in 99.99% of cases they'd find that there was nothing obviously wrong with the manufacture. I keep several duplicates of common diameter small bits on hand for just such occurrences, and replace as necessary. I also include their cost as part of my indirect charges for all jobs that pass through the workshop. Slainte. 

   Some stuff I've made.
1. 
   alias | Dec 13, 2002 07:40am | #5

   sgian- was going threw my inventory of router bits and noticed i have about 6 spiral mortising bits solid 1/2" that need sharpening, and yes they are amana . i was wondering do they resharpen these? granted if they do i'd lose that 1/2" tolerance, but having 300.00 dollars of christmas ornaments in the box is starting to wear on me. is there a place a can send them that anyone knows. thanks for any help, pardon the hi-jack......slainte...bear

1. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 13, 2002 07:53am | #6

   Ha, ha, bear. You already know the answer to that one, otherwise you wouldn't make such a joke. Use, abuse, and send to the router bit graveyard. They're one shot wonders. Slainte.Some stuff I've made.

1. 
   alias | Dec 13, 2002 08:02am | #7

   now about that hole for the string................... merry friggin' christmas ; )

   Edited 12/13/2002 12:04:30 AM ET by the bear

1. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 13, 2002 08:10am | #8

   You have holes in the shanks of your spiral router bits, bear? Darn. Put 'em together and sell 'em off as strings of shark teeth. Upcut, downcut, both-together-cut (yes they exist.) What a mouthful of damage. Think of the profits. Duh du, duh du, duh, du, duh, du, etc.. Slainte.Some stuff I've made.

2. 
   alias | Dec 13, 2002 08:40am | #9

   Both together cut?? ,damn thing must look like a barber pole, hell i thought i was being creative with ornaments or earrings although after a night of wearing those things, she or he would be ####ready for the monthly issue of national geographic. sharks teeth hhhmmmm ..... m ay b e.... ah well off to siberia they shall go. and this weekend i'll lifting a pint of the black stuff i'll give you a toast, and remember life is really 90% maintenance...... slainte...... bear

2. 
   ScottInMadtown | Dec 13, 2002 07:54pm | #10

   Bear,

   You could take your dull solid carbide bits to a tool house that makes metal-working carbide bits from scratch.  There are a ton of them out there.  I live in Milwaukee and there are probably over a dozen here alone.  Your bit will be slightly smaller in diamter when they are done, but then you have a "new" bit for alot less than a real new one.

   Scott

2. 
   clampman2 | Dec 12, 2002 11:13pm | #2

   Chief,

   I too have had at least 2 Amana's explode or snap on me, without undue stress applied to them. I no longer use them, preferring Velepek and Whiteside bits. I have never had either of these give me problems.

   In fact, I have a Velepek 1/2" beading bit in my Bridgeport milling machine, which has milled (in one pass) half rounds in approximately 1,000 linear inches of steel, and over 500 linear inches of brass without any signs of undue wear, and without any lubricant.

   I find I get a better job with the Velepek router bit than with tooling designed to cut steel. (and a heck of a lot cheaper).

   Clampman

3. 
   MichaelLomax | Dec 12, 2002 11:53pm | #3

   I don't have too much scientific evidence for this but in my experience, bits that are smaller than the shank then to break more often than bits with shanks of a similar size.

   When I buy 1/4 inch bits now, I but 1/4 inch shanks.  My personnal feeling is that the transition from the large shank to the small cutter results in a stress riser.  Every time I have had such a bit fail, it has been right at this transistion.

   my $.02

   Lomax

1. 
   bill_1010 | Dec 13, 2002 01:39am | #4

   1/4 inch shanks are the work of the devil!

   In all seriousness upgrade to half-inch shanks they are safer. I dont trust quarter inch shanks.  Too much heat buildup in that small steel.

4. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 13, 2002 11:44pm | #11

   Well, I've used Amana bits for a long time and haven't found a bad one yet.  Just be thankful that the end of the broken bit wasn't slung your way!  I have had a couple of B&D bits snap and one of the yellow Viper bits.  That was a long time ago and one of the the reasons I quit buying the cheap stuff.

   FYI - The shop that sharpens my bits uses some super dooper sharpening system with 600 diamond grit.  I get 2 to 3 times the usefullness out of the bits after their sharpening than when they are new.  The carbide surface looks like a mirror afterwards.  MVP Sharpeners here in Houston, North Beltway 8.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
   PlaneWood

   
   

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   Edited 12/13/2002 3:56:29 PM ET by PlaneWood