Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | Sep 10, 2003 12:42am | #1

   The spiral bit will work fine for cutting dados. Why not keep the straight bit, there usually inexspensive?

   Mike

2. 
   BG | Sep 10, 2003 12:57am | #2

   Wanda,

   I bought an up-spiral bit recently and it is very effective for the purpose you intend..but I am having a problem.  It seems no matter what I do the bit wants to clime out of the collet when in my DW621 in the router table.  I set the bit for a 1/4" depth and as I cut that 1/4" becomes 1/2" and deeper if I don't stop.  I called Whiteside (the maker of the bit)yesterday and they said the carbide bit had very teight tollerances and the problem must be with my collet.  I don't have a problem with any other bit except the upspiral...and a new collet costs about $26 bucks...with no guarantee the bit will not still ride up.

   So, maybe you should test the upspiral before you return the straight bit.   

1. 
   wendy | Sep 10, 2003 01:49am | #3

   Hi BG,

   I tested the upspiral bit in my router this afternoon. It cuts so smoothly but the only disadvantage is it leaves a fuzzy top edge and I end up with wood shavings I have to sweep out from inbetween the dado. Which apparently is typical of spiral bits according to Patrick allan's book on Router basics. (excellent reference book.. Very detailed) Other than that it cut a perfect dado 1/4 inch deep and 1/4inch wide. The drawer bottom of the nightstand I'm building fit perfectly.

   Concerning the bit.....  if I were you I'd try another brand. It the collet works with all your other bits than how can it be the collet. It's most likely the bit. I like the Delta router bits myself which are teflon coated. I'd say it's a defective bit. Maybe the shaft is poorly machined.

   Wanda

1. 
   BG | Sep 10, 2003 02:46am | #4

   Wanda,

   I did bring the first upspiral bit back to Woodcraft and they gladly swapped it for another...the same brand...the same issue.  However, Whiteside is known for its quality...so I've gotta question the router.  I'd just love to know if others have had this problem with their DW 621  

   I'm glad yours is working well...

   Edited 9/9/2003 7:48:25 PM ET by BG

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 10, 2003 06:26am | #5

   BG,

   I regularly use a spiral upcut bit in my 621 and it stays put.  I'm using a 1/2" shank Bosch bit now.  Works great.  I have an old Craftsman that has this problem though, never have been able to get it to work right.

   Steve

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 10, 2003 07:03am | #6

   Hyper clean the collet system.

   Steel wool the shank on the bit and the surfaces of the collet.

   You just might need only to break the tempering glaze.  

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 10, 2003 07:37am | #7

   IMERC,

   Na, it gives me an excuse to not use the old hunk of junk.  BG might try that though with his 621. 

   Steve

3. 
   IMERC | Sep 10, 2003 07:58am | #8

   OOPPPS! 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

4. 
   BG | Sep 10, 2003 12:09pm | #9

   Imerc,

   Fortunately, I like to read others mail...wife taught me that..I'll try the hyperclean method on the router bit and collet. 

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 10, 2003 07:40pm | #11

   Something just dawned on me. Your bit maybe trying to "auger" into the material.

   I use spiral bits alot and I use machinist bits instead of router. More gooder. 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   BG | Sep 10, 2003 08:51pm | #12

   Imerc,

   That is exactly what I think is happening.  I did wonder if a down spiral would work better..or stay put at any rate.

   I'm going down to the basement now and lightly sand the bit end to add traction to the bit...see if that does anything for the issue  

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 10, 2003 09:14pm | #13

   If you sand that bit make sure you use a grit in the multiple K grit. Any large scores will transmit to the collet. And.....

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   BG | Sep 11, 2003 06:58pm | #16

   Imerc,

   I hit the upspiral bit with some 2K wet and dry and cleaned the collet as best I could.  It appears to be holding now...at least on some scrap..thanks

2. 
   TomFerreira | Sep 11, 2003 03:22am | #14

   BG,

   I have had this same probelm but have always felt it was because I was feeding too fast or using a dull bit. I know this is a new bit so I would suggest that you take shallower cuts and feed at a slower rate.

   TDF

1. 
   BG | Sep 11, 2003 12:33pm | #15

   Tom,

   I've only gotten to the set up part with this bit before I noticed what was happening...riding up out of the collet.  The scrap stock I used was oak and cherry and I tried to vary as many variables as I could think of...depth of cut, speed, plunge...depth in collet, tightness of collet, etc.

   My sense is there is nothing wrong with the bit and the collet is probably fine also...accept in this case.  The design of the collet is just not compatable with the whitesides upspiral bit.  Its interesting that with the 621 collet no matter how hard you tighten when putting on ...loosening appears to remain a constant...it appears to be designed to control the pressure on bit...but I'm just guessing.

   PS. my router table is working great 

2. 
   TomFerreira | Sep 12, 2003 05:24am | #17

   BG,

   Glad to hear your router table is working well. Mine too. I'm really glad I built it. You know, there has been a lot of discussion about router tables vs shapers, and I have to bite my tongue becuase mine was such a great project just to build, never mind the utility it serves. If I can getthe camera I will post some pics of the oscillating spindle sander plate. It is really slick. Also, the drawer storage is tremendous. Might consider a shaper one day but will never give up the router table.

   TDF

3. 
   BG | Sep 12, 2003 01:08pm | #18

   Tom,

   I agree, it was a fun project to build and I have been surprised by the utility of the outcome.  I looked at your posted pics at least a dozen times while building mine to figure out the differences between the old and new plans...it appeared that beyond the storage, most of the difference was in the fense.  Your pics made it that much easier..looking forward to the sander.  One of the things I did was to stick my one gallon shop vac in the undertop space with the router..and run the hose out the back and up to the backside of the fense..works well.

   The discussions on shapers verses router tables is quite informative but my objective was more utility from my router..and safer...not nesessarily more shaping capability..as nice as that would be, I just don't have the need or space at this time.  Like my TS, I use a crosscut sled and a Incra to help improve the utility of the TS....maybe a RAS would be better...but that is way down the road.

3. 
   JDorn | Sep 10, 2003 05:58pm | #10

   i bought a 1/4 shank Roman Carbide upspiral a few months ago at a local shop for some quick dados and i had the same problem.  I was running a 1/8 deep dado in a piece of hard maple and about a foot into the cut the noise coming from the router changed significantly so i hit my kick switch and looked at the piece and saw my router bit about 1 inch deep stuck in the board.

   I haven't used the bit again since that cause i'm not a fan of bits spnning at 20k+ RPM coming free.

   JD