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Metal bits for a router?

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DaOld Man:
Does anyone make bits to fit a "regular" router that are made to cut metal?
Looks like all the ones at Lowes are for wood, unless Im missing something.

penjuin:
what sort of metal? copper? aluminium? steel?

mountain:
Routers are designed for wood, they spin between 10,000 - 30,000 RPM, way too fast to cut metal effectively. Metals like aluminum, from my experience, require 800-2,000 RPM cutting speeds. Even then you need to use cutting lube to keep the heat down.

Samstag:

--- Quote from: mountain on February 17, 2011, 08:08:39 am ---Routers are designed for wood, they spin between 10,000 - 30,000 RPM, way too fast to cut metal effectively. Metals like aluminum, from my experience, require 800-2,000 RPM cutting speeds. Even then you need to use cutting lube to keep the heat down.

--- End quote ---

What he said.  Using a wood router on metal would be very dangerous even if it worked.  Also, the type of metal is pretty important too.  Some alloys will surface-harded as you cut them if you don't use the right speeds and cut depth and ruin your tools fast.

I used to do some hobbyist machining but I've probably forgotten more than I remember.  If you describe what you're trying to do I can probably point you in the direction of tools that can do the job.

Woodshop Flunky:

--- Quote from: DaOld Man on February 17, 2011, 07:02:22 am ---Does anyone make bits to fit a "regular" router that are made to cut metal?
--- End quote ---

What kind of "regular" router are you talking about.  I use a milling machine or lathe to cut metal with carbide or high speed steel.  I would NEVER chuck an mill cutter in a woodworking router unless I had already said goodbye to all my loved ones.

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