When will I learn?

[jnesmith]

About 6 months ago, I ordered a 1/8" carbide spiral router bit. I needed it to route some groves in some small box parts. I was using it in the router table on the right side of my BT.

I finished the process, and left the bit in the router. Next time I used the BT, I slid the fence over to the right and snapped the bit in half. I had left it raised above the table. Bummer.

A couple of months later, I ordered another one. Needed it to route some box hinge mortises. Recently I needed the bit in my router table, so I started to remove it from my hand held router. The wrench slipped, barely touch the bit, and snapped it in half. Bummer.

A week or so ago, I ordered another one. Used it in the router table and constantly reminded myself to lower it when finished, and to not accidentally bump the fence against it when it was above the table. Didn't work. I forgot and snapped this one too, again by bumping the fence against it. Bummer.

So, I'm about to buy my fourth 1/8" carbide spiral but in 6 months. They sure are fragile. I guess I will just have to treat them as disposable in my shop.

[LCHIEN]

About 6 months ago, I ordered a 1/8" carbide spiral router bit. I needed it to route some groves in some small box parts. I was using it in the router table on the right side of my BT.

I finished the process, and left the bit in the router. Next time I used the BT, I slid the fence over to the right and snapped the bit in half. I had left it raised above the table. Bummer.

A couple of months later, I ordered another one. Needed it to route some box hinge mortises. Recently I needed the bit in my router table, so I started to remove it from my hand held router. The wrench slipped, barely touch the bit, and snapped it in half. Bummer.

A week or so ago, I ordered another one. Used it in the router table and constantly reminded myself to lower it when finished, and to not accidentally bump the fence against it when it was above the table. Didn't work. I forgot and snapped this one too, again by bumping the fence against it. Bummer.

So, I'm about to buy my fourth 1/8" carbide spiral but in 6 months. They sure are fragile. I guess I will just have to just treat them as disposable in my shop.

Not only are the cross sections really, really thin due to the grooves required to remove cuttings, but Carbide is, by nature a very brittle material. It's extrememly hard and withstands wear, but it does withwtand impact well.

My advice would be to remove and store all bits individually when you are done.
I usually clean mine and sometimes hit them with a bit of wd40 to help clean and rust proof the steel parts and bearings on those that have them. It better for the bits, keeps them from being chipped or dulled by contact and it prevents personal injury and other accidents.

Still those kind of bits will break - its best to buy two or three at a time and save shipping and waiting.

[Stick]

I was just gonna say the same thing. I always remove the bits from my routers when they're not in use. Even if I 'm gonna leave the router mounted in the table. On the BT3100, I even went so far as to make up a blank cover plate that takes the place of the red ones, to keep the dust out of the empty collet.

[LarryG]

Time to make a new habit?

I have a policy in my shop (and actually manage to adhere to it, most of the time): as soon as I'm finished with a certain setup, the tool is returned to a "neutral" state. On the table saw, this means the blade is retracted below the throat plate. On the band saw, the guide post is lowered to the tabletop and the blade tension lever is released. On the router table, the bit is removed and the collet is lowered below the top of the lift. Etc.

This takes a few more seconds, but so far it has kept me from damaging any cutters, or accidentally cutting myself, or -- worst of all -- jamming the most visible side of a project piece into an exposed blade or bit.

[Santa Clarita Len]

Hey it's OK to make a mistake, we all make them, but when you wear out the eraser before the pencil .......................... Just kidding.

[just4funsies]

Perhaps your supplier will offer you a discount on a case-quantity purchase?

[jnesmith]

Yea, I need better habits, at least with regard to router bits.

In all honesty, I did intentially leave the bit the last time. I wasn't finished, and needed to leave the bit height where it was. What I was doing required a great deal of precision and consistency, so I left it set up overnite.

I don't know about a volume discount, but I do plan to order 2 this time.

[AlanWS]

A 1/8" router bit sounds awfully fragile. If they break so easily, they are not too likely to wear out, so HSS may be better than carbide: it's not so brittle.

I've not tried these, but here is one place that sells steel bits (really end mills, but they work):
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...OD&ProdID=4217

[JimD]

I find even 1/4 inch bits kind of fragile. I am probably a bit heavy handed or something but I've broken the last couple of 1/4 inch bits I've bought. They were 1/2 inch shank necked down to 1/4 and carbide tipped. They broke at the neck down. I have pretty much given up on 1/8 inch bits except to route drywall (but I usually just make openings with a knife).

I would look for a different way to make the cuts, if possible.

Jim