Routing Hardboard

[ke4rdb]

Last night I was routing some 1/4" Hardboard while making some router jigs. In making a 1/2" straight cutter dado jig, I had to route (cut off) 24 inchs of hardboard. I was using a Hitachi KM12VS router at full speed and a B&D 1/2" (steel not carbide straight bit). The cut seemed very hard to make lots of pressure to cut and I noticed sparks coming from the cut. I stopped and reset the bit to only cut into the hardboard 1/8" still cut very hard. I finished the cut and examined the bit and saw that there where dished out spots in the cutting edge of the bit where the bit was worn.

Since this is my 1st time routing hardboard I quess my question is: Was my problem with the hardboard (just being hard to route) or in the cheap and poor steel in the B&D bit?

In cutting the sheet of hardboard to rough size with my BT3100 it cut like butter, cound'nt even tell it was cutting.

I have since purchused some new 1/2" carbide bits but have not used them yet!

Thanks,

James



My Blog:
JW's Views from the Workbench
http://jimwill48.blogspot.com/

[scorrpio]

Definitely your bit. Carbide bits - even cheaper variety - should just slide through the hardboard.

[Scottydont]

All you had to say was B&D bit and I new you are in trouble. I am not trying to be a tool snob but I tried to use a smoe BD bits a friend gave me and they couldn't cut through paper without laboring! It should cut like butter with a decent carbide.