Questions is this, a friend and I were using the router table, a template and a flush trim bit… We cut a board to rough size (the board was also 3/4 inch thick) but some parts were cut closer to the edge than others, anyways the flush trim bit started to burn some of the wood as we were probably taking too big of a cut with it. The flush trim bit (FTB) now has major discloring on it, like it got way too hot. Is this bit trashed? Can it be saved? What are some things that you have done that have trashed a router bit? Maybe some of us can learn what not to do before we ruin more bits.
Always learning,
Kenney66
Replies
If it's a carbide bit I doubt that it was effected by being "hot" I work around a machine shop and I have seen carbide cut metal with the chips coming off red hot. One of the benefits of carbide cutters is their hot hardness, or the ability to stay hard at high temperature (800-1000 deg F). High speed steel has the same hot hardness quality but at a lower temperature. Get HSS too hot and it looses it's hardness and dulls quickly.
Ditto to notatexan. I had a similar question several months ago and was reassured by Charles-from-Freud that it wasn't likely damage to the metal.
Burning happens when the bit revolves too many times in the same spot. Sometimes it's a matter of increasing the feed speed. You indicated you might have tried to cut too much at once, which can slow down the movement of the stock. I'm still working on my template technique, but it seems to work to let the bit not cut all the way to the template when I hit a thick spot, then just go back an take off the balance on a second pass.
"What are some things that you have done that have trashed a router bit?" Cutting a through slot about 5/16" wide with a 1/4" router bit and not keeping the feed direction in mind on the second pass. Created violent kickback and fractured the carbide off the bit. (red oak and a Rockler bit; not sure if bit quality was an issue)
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Kenney, there is nothing to save. Wash the bit with caustic soda solution and it will look like new.
Thanks again one and all, you just saved my friend a router bit
Easy off makes a lye free oven cleaner that cleans router bits and blades well. Spray it on and scrub it with an old tooth brush wash it off and you should be good to go. Also spray some router bearing lubricant in the bearing.Troy
Works great on the table saw blades way easy!
The likelyhood of this cutter having a 1/2" cutting diameter is great, was it?
In that event, (1/2" CD), my money is on a dead cutter. A skinny cutter cutting full thickness to the point of smoke & char = dead duck. Shiny or charcoal black this cutter will burn stock next time out.
More on the life and nature of cutters at the Routerbit link.
now has major discloring on it..
geee I route alot Purpleheart and it ALWAYS does that! Been using the same bit ALONG time!
We trash router bits regularly. I am a cabinet maker on super yatchs built out of composite materials when we have to alter thing the router bits often go into the glass. I have learnt to use disposable blade cutters these are cheaper in the long run. one day I went through 12 blades and they are double sided if we had to by complete bits we would be bankrupt. May be you could try this also I have found that the less that you have to cut off with the router the better the cut.
Regards Peter
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