Running a bunch of 3/4″ MDO thru a lock miter bit on my shaper. to make alot of exterior posts.
The bit seems to get dull after a abnormally small number of passes. Anybody have any ideas why?
Possible explanations I have thought of include.
a) Grizzly carbide bits are inferior.
b) MDO is made up of really hard woods.
c) The glues in MDO have resin that dull bits( eg =silica??)
d) my 1.5 hp shaper is not powerfull enought to keep the speed up and the bit get to hot and burns out.
Thoughts, other ideas??
Replies
T,
I've run a lot of plywood through lock mitre bits in a router table and not had the bits go anything like dull yet. Plywood is not as hard as the stuff you're using, though, despite probably having some of the same glues and resins in it.
When I started using lock mitre bits ( a large and a small) I was paranoid about them losing sharpness as they come with warnings that any significant sharpening will spoil the fit between the intersecting profiles. If yours are geting unusably dull, it might mean new bits before too long. They aren't cheap.
Would a faster bit speed and slower feed rate help? It might reduce the pressure on the bit edges per bite; on the other hand, it might just accelerate the wear because there are more bites altogether.
Sorry this is not more helpful.
Lataxe
I have no idea but.. I use a Whiteside Lock Miter (2.5 inch dia.?) Anyway, I am NOT a production shop but my bit still sharp after many, many, many... uses.. I have to admit I have NEVER used MDO though...
EDIT: Call/E-Mail Whiteside and ask.. I never did but they make a great product (my opinion only) and maybe they will give a suggestion.
Pro products usually have pro help if you ask.. Probabbly come at a price though.. As they say.. Ya' get what ya' pay fer'!
Edited 5/21/2006 11:39 am by WillGeorge
EDIT: Probabbly
Don't ya' just love English.. Bet ya still understoor what I said.
Edited 5/21/2006 11:42 am by WillGeorge
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