Unibit® Multi-Step Bits Designed with the original single-flute cutting edge. The single flute helps assure true round holes and allows greater control. Unibits® are constructed of industrial grade high speed molybdenum steel and heat treated to assure maximum durability. Multi-Bit® Multi-Step Bits Designed with a double-flute cutting edge for faster cutting action. The double-flute design also reduces wear since the cutting responsibility is shared with two edges instead of one. Multi-Bits® are made of high quality high speed steel and are triple tempered for longer cutting life. Each bit also comes with a complimentary tube of cutting fluid to extend the life and enhance the performance of each bit purchased. Heiderman TC Series Double Fluted Multi-Step Bits These bits were added to our line as a lesser cost alternative to the major label brand name bits on the market. They are constructed of industrial grade high speed molybdenum steel and heat treated to assure maximum durability. The titanium-nitride coating reduces friction extending the cutting life and prolonging the duration of peak performance.

If you’re into V carving at all, I bought one of these (which is what I was referring to above), I cannot recommend one of these enough… http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6015-in-tech-series-insert-v-groove-router-bit.aspx Very very very good

Cobalt High Speed Drill Bits These Straight Shank Heavy Duty High and Reduced Shank Heavy Duty High Speed 135° Split Point Bits contain 8% Cobalt. The cobalt content adds high abrasion resistance to the bit's hard working properties. Reduction in friction means less heat build up; therefore, they keep their cutting edge and last longer than non-cobalt high speed bits. Cobalt bits produce excellent results when drilling space age alloys such as stainless.

Agree with @AlanDavis, I bought a 90 degree V Bit from ToolsToday that takes replaceable carbide tips and it’s perfect. It’s razor sharp and goes though wood & polycarbonate like a knife through butter. Beautiful cuts with sharp edges and zero sanding. Worth every single dollar and then some.

I agree with @Shawn1, 25k RPM is much faster than recommended and will cause excessive heat on the bit, which is never good.

High Speed Steel Drill Bits: These drill bits are made of super hard M-1 steel for cutting hard, tough materials high performance and long cutting life, these bits are an unmatched value. Jobber Length Drill Bits, Stubby Length Drill Bits, Double Ended Bits, Reduced Shank Drill Bits, Aircraft Extension Bits, Silver & Deming Bits

Tools Today is very reliable source if money doesn’t a problem. Anything I purchased, works perfect. No burs, no splits. I’m sure they have special bits for different materials.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4Pcs-Of-1-2-3-4mm-Finish-Profiling-Carbide-End-Mill-Bits-Milling-Cutter-/221627543209?hash=item339a07eea9

We have some recommendations and a section on eBay vendors on the Shapeoko wiki: Shapeoko CNC Router, Rigid, Accurate, Reliable, and Affordable

We use cookies to personalize content, interact with our analytics companies, advertising networks and cooperatives, and demographic companies, provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. Our social media, advertising and analytics partners may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Learn more.

Safe Crackers™ Specialty Bits for Drilling Hardened Steels. These bits have long carbide tips in specially designed cutting heads to prevent chipping and to help dissipate heat. They give excellent results when drilling into hardened steels such as bearing races, dies, and safes. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

So it’s time to get some good mill bits. I have a really good source for mill bits near me, DamenCNC. They sell very competent uncoated carbide mills specifically for milling aluminum for about €20-€30 (http://damencnc.com/en/tools/cutting-tools/milling-cutter/240). However, now I wonder: how do non-lowest-bidder eBay mills compare? For instance stuff like this:

High Speed Taper Taps Manufactured from high speed steel to ensure long life and durability. They are heat-treated and designed for tough cutting applications and smooth performance. Unlike standard carbon steel taps, high speed taper taps are used to cut threads for machine screws into virtually any type of metal or plastic. They are also great for retapping threads into holes that have been stripped or drilled out.

I also purchased bit holder and two different blade for it. They’re awesome. When you buy holder you can either buy a set or single blades you need, including ball end mill blade.

High Speed Drill Index Sets These High Speed Drill Sets are manufactured in the U.S.A. All of the sets listed below are indexed and protected in a sturdy metal case.

I’ve upgraded my machine to a Kress FME1050-1 spindle and really the first thing to notice is OH MY GOD THIS THING FLIES. Compared to the 24V default spindle, this spindle is just unimaginably good on aluminum. However, this also immediately highlighted how crappy my $2 eBay HSS mill bits are. The edges of an aluminum routing job I did yesterday are just all messed up, even with cooling and a relatively conservative feed rate (25krpm at 400mm/min, 0.5mm step-down).

At the same time, I’ve also bought a couple of 10-packs of Chinese 1/8th spiral carbide bits on eBay that were so cheap, they’re essentially disposable. They’re sharp, they cut reasonably well and if I lose one or break one, it’s not a problem.

Shop Amazon for HQMaster CNC Router Bits 1/8" Shank CNC Bit End Mill Flat Nose Carbide Endmill Two Flute Spiral Upcut Milling Cutter Tool Set for Wood PVC MDF Hardwood 10Pcs (3.175 mm) and find millions of items, delivered faster than ever.

For accurate work, I’d suggest measuring them as their diameter isn’t exactly 1/8th, but at less than a dollar each, who cares.

Best used for: Standard milling, dadoing, and boring. Cutting Diameter: 1/8" Cutting Height: 1/2" Shank Diameter: 1/4" Overall Length: 2" Flutes: 2 Up-cut end mills direct woodchips up and away from the milling area leaving an unobstructed path for...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-pc-Solid-carbide-3Fl-Mills-Aluminum-End-mill-Cutting-dia-2mm-HRC-45-Endmills-/121774813436?hash=item1c5a5830fc

I’ve just used my standard speed&feed calculator for this (10% lower feed than recommended because grbl was capped to a max x/y speed). The low chip load is mostly a function of the sheet of aluminum being much thinner in this instance than otherwise.

So far, I’ve been stocking up on cheap eBay bits. I figure I’ll be breaking a few while getting to know the x-carve and better to break the cheap ones than the expensive ones. As most of these Chinese eBay sellers sell a wide range of stuff, e.g. clothing, toys, etc as well as the CNC bits, I’m not sure that there will be a lot of difference in the quality of the bits from one seller over another. A better bet might be to go through aliexpress and deal with a specialist tool supplier.

Conservative feed rate could be part of the problem, if your taking a light cut at such high rpm the bit spends a great deal of time just rubbing on the material. A heavier chip load can greatly reduce heat buildup, I use cheap single flute endmills to cut aluminum and get great results. That is spinning the endmill at 2500 rpm on a cnc mill though, not 25,000 rpm on a router.

http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6009-in-groove-cnc-insert-engraving-tool-body-replacement-solid-carbide-insert-knives.aspx?&variantids=11445,0&keywords=AMS-210

edit: oh I forgot to say here: I don’t really have much use for Drillman1’s items, as they’re overwhelmingly imperial sizes and stationed in the US. With shipping it’s more expensive than damencnc for what I assume is basically the same quality. I’m specifically looking for metric bits.

Has anyone tried and compared this stuff already? Especially as I’m still exploring my machine, I’d like to be able to just break or dull my tools like there’s no tomorrow without going broke, so it’d be nice to save on the mills.

Specification: Material: Carbide Number of Flutes: 2 Flute Cutting Diameter: 3.175mm (1/8") Shank Diameter: 3.175mm (1/8") Cutting Edge Length (Flute Length): 22mm Total Length: 38mm Quantity: 1 box /10pcs Features: High-density polished,...