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Cutters for Wood, MDF and Plastics


Use router cutters for wood and MDF, not High Speed Steel cutters intended for cutting metals. HSS cutters quickly dull in man-made boards and this results in a very poor finish on the work. The finish on real wood can also leave a lot to be desired, especially open grain timber cut against the grain.

While the mill spindle does not rotate nearly fast enough for router cutters (F1 mill, 2000rpm max, WoodWorker 8000rpm max), they will still give a good finish to the work and keep a keen edge. As the cutting edge is straight, it is easy to hone with a diamond slip used in the flute of the cutter, not on its outer edge. Use water as the honing lubricant. Hone the cutters regularly: do not let them get dull.

Full details of the following Trend router cutters are in the Trend catalogue and also on their web site: www.trendmachinery.co.uk Note that two shank diameters are available, 8mm or ¼ inch.

These TREND router cutters are suggested:
Trend number C001A 3mm dia £7.70
Trend number C002 4mm dia £9.00
Trend number C004 5mm dia £6.30
Trend number C005 6mm dia £6.80
Trend number C011 7.9mm dia £7.20
Trend number C016 10mm dia £9.00
Trend number C019 12mm dia £9.00
Trend number DH/01 1.6mm dia £13.75
Trend number DH/02 2mm dia £13.75
60 degree point V cutter Trend number C043 £12.80
60 degree 3 flute engraver Trend number S11/11 £36.10
When ordering, specify either a shank diameter of 8mm or ¼ inch
Purchase through any TREND stockist
Note: maximum depth of cut = cutter diameter or the diameter of the shank, whichever is smaller.

Tool holder collets (type ER25) for these cutters are available from Axminster Power Tool Company www.axminster.co.uk and other suppliers:

Collets for 8mm shanks:
Stock number V25080 8.0mm - 7.0mm ER25 collet at £11.73 each.

Collets for ¼ inch shanks:
Stock number V25070 7.0mm - 6.0mm ER25 collet at £11.73 each.

To honing router cutters, use a fine DMT pocket whetstone (lubricate with water). Purchase through any TREND stockist:
Trend number W4F   4" x 7/8" fine pocket whetstone with plastic wallet £18.30

Have the cutters rotating at maximum speed and use appropriate feed rates.

Tool Diameter for Pointed Cutters
Some engraving tools, such as the Trend 60 degree 3 flute engraver, have a sharp point. As the diameter at the point is zero, zero is the figure entered in the WELmill Tool Data Table as the diameter for the cutter. Take great care to protect the pointed tip: it may be quite fragile.

Cutters for Plastics
Standard HSS cutters can be used to machine plastics but they soon dull. It is better to use cutters specially designed for plastics: see the catalogues of tool suppliers. For example:

Trend do a range of cutters for plastics. Please refer to their catalogue or web site.

Mega Electronics have a range of tungsten carbide router cutters suitable for plastics and pcb work. The shank diameter is 1/8", 3.175mm. See www.megauk.com for details.

Speeds and feeds for plastics must be set with care to avoid heating and melting of the swarf. If this happens, it clogs the cutter and welds itself back on to the billet.

Dust Extraction
MDF and similar materials create a lot of fine dust when they are cut. Wear a suitable dust mask when machining them and also use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust as it is created. Rather than hand-holding a vacuum cleaner nozzle, devise a dust extraction hood which can be fitted to the milling head and to which a vacuum cleaner can be connected. The TREND catalogue and web site give details of parts which might be used to build a suitable extraction system.

Do not allows dust to build up in the machine, on its slides or get into its moving parts. Keep it clean and lubricated with the appropriate slideway oil.

Cutters for Metals
Engraving Attachment
Materials for Machining
Speeds and Feeds for High Speed Steel (HSS) Tools
Speeds and Feeds for Tipped Tools (not HSS)