Longer End-mills? 1/4" Options?

Mostly Printed CNC - MPCNC Advice
1

I’ve been looking around at different end-mills and I just wanted to see what what possible. I have the end-mill pack from the store.

I’ve really only used the 1/8" single flute from the store and it works for the majority of what I need.

Wider V-bits for carving larger letters?

Those big flat bits for leveling a surface?

I’d also like a longer endmill, just for cutting through something like a 2x4.

Just not sure where to start looking! Ebay and Amazon have them but I’m not sure how to differentiate router bits for hand routing vs CNC stuff.

2

I think a huge difference between common CNC-type bits and router-table type bits are:

  1. CNC bits are almost exclusively fluted, outside of V-bits. I don’t think I’ve seen or used fluted bit with a palm or table router.
  2. CNC bits don’t have a need for pattern bearings.
  3. Pretty much anything labeled as an “end mill” will have CNCing in mind. I don’t think I’ve seen other types of bits referred to with this terminology.

FWIW, the only table-router bit I use on my CNC is a 1" flat-bottom surfacing bit. It’s a 1/4 collect and the DW660 can handle it fine at ~1mm DOC.

I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t use longer 1/4th end mills. Just make sure your Z-Axis is stiff enough and short enough to get good results (the longer length of the end mill will likely multiple any deflection you have in the Z-axis), and make sure you continue to use reasonable depths of cut.

3

Thanks for the advice!

I just ordered a 1" flat bottom surfacing bit and I’ve found a few 1/4" endmills so I think I’ll pick a few of those up.

I still mainly use the 1/8" flat endmill but I wanted to go up to a 1/4" flat endmill thats 2.5" long so i can cut through some 2x4’s after i carve into them a little bit. Not sure if the 2.5" long endmill can fit unless i take a little bit of the height off

4

I’ve had a 3" 1/4 inch end mill seated comfortably in the DW660 up to the shoulder (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q4J4HVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1, this one specifically)

5

Whats youre Z height on your machine?

6

What about this one?

7

Sorry, I didn’t see this until now. I have a I think my Z-rails are 13.5 inches and I have 2.5in feet, so probably ~4 or 5 inch total DOC.