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Author Topic: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?  (Read 5322 times)

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Level42

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3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« on: August 06, 2006, 07:12:41 pm »
Need a 3 wing slot cutter to do some T-molding work.
I figured out that I will need a 1/16" version, but do I need a 1/4" Shank or a 1/2" Shank version ?

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/orderstatus/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html

What the hell is a shank anyway ;)

phantax

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2006, 07:51:28 pm »
Depends on what size your router takes.

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2006, 10:41:10 pm »

What the hell is a shank anyway ;)


The part of your router that the shaft of your slot cutter goes into. You just need to measure whether it is 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Or check your documentation on the router, it will tell you. :)

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2006, 01:02:31 am »
OK, I understand what a shank is now :) Haven't got a router yet :D :D so do I choose the 1/4" so it will most likely "always fit" ? How does it work with a router, is it the same like with an old fashioned drill where you simply turn back until it clamps the tool ?

If not, will European routers need metric sized tools ?

I've worked with about every power tool around, but never with a router so please forgive me being a newbee.....

That price on mlcswoodworking.com seems to be quite cheap, is it a good quality part ?

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2006, 01:09:18 am »
1/2" shank routers often come with an adapter to convert to 1/4" shank and 1/4" shank is by far the most common at lower price brackets.

So, yeah, I would get the 1/4" if you are buying ahead of time and I've heard nothing but good things about mlcswoodworking.com
$6.75 the hard way-one quarter at a time.

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2006, 04:09:44 am »
Definitely get a 1/2" shanked bit and router. 1/2" shanks vibrate much less than 1/4" shank bits. In 98% of situations they don't cost more than 1/4" shank bits. Using a 1/2" shank bit gives a smoother cut than 1/4" bits also.

A 1/16" slot cutter will be great for t-molding. The fit will be nice and tight.
Also, MLCS bits are decent quality. They're perfect for your purposes.



It's 9am. I'm calling it a nite.

nostrebor

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2006, 09:00:10 am »
          /\  /\  /\  /\  /\

        Yup. What he said.

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2006, 11:57:31 am »
I'm a router n00b, but have been told by MANY people to get a 1/2" shank bit whenever possible, and make sure you get a 1/2" router.
first off your and idiot

Man I love the internet, haha.

Level42

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2006, 02:53:07 pm »
Thanks guys !!!

What other bits should I order ? I will be in the US in 3 weeks time, and want to pre-order some stuff that will be delivered at my uncle & aunt's...

And will the English/American size bits fit in European routers ??
Maybe stupid question but I have no clue how a bit fits into the router. I guess when you fit them like it was done on "old fashioned" drills, any size should fit below a certain size.

However on most European routers I see things mentioned like 6 mm and 8 mm shafts...??

Thinking of this: 1/4"=6,4mm      1/2"=12,7mm
« Last Edit: August 08, 2006, 03:29:44 pm by Level42 »

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2006, 03:49:17 pm »
Thanks guys !!!

What other bits should I order ? I will be in the US in 3 weeks time, and want to pre-order some stuff that will be delivered at my uncle & aunt's...


Do you come here like once a month or something?


Quote from: saint
saint is all powerful.

Apparently he is.

Level42

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2006, 05:57:24 pm »
Thanks guys !!!

What other bits should I order ? I will be in the US in 3 weeks time, and want to pre-order some stuff that will be delivered at my uncle & aunt's...


Do you come here like once a month or something?

Uhmmm, nope......it's just the same trip you may have noticed about somewhere else...

I dropped a mail to MLCS and they almost immediatly replied:

________________________________________
Sir,

Thank you for your interest in MLCS products.

Unfortunately, our American router bits in 1/4" and 1/2" shank sizes will not fit most European routers with metric collets at 6mm and 8mm.  We do not currently carry metric adaptor bushings either.

I'm sorry we couldn't be more helpful in this matter.
_________________________________________

Well, so no cheap slot cutter for me :( Unless I can get a UK router I guess....or one of those "metric adaptor bushings".....
« Last Edit: August 08, 2006, 06:07:11 pm by Level42 »

Grasshopper

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2006, 07:04:05 pm »
Thanks guys !!!

What other bits should I order ? I will be in the US in 3 weeks time, and want to pre-order some stuff that will be delivered at my uncle & aunt's...


Do you come here like once a month or something?

Uhmmm, nope......it's just the same trip you may have noticed about somewhere else...

I dropped a mail to MLCS and they almost immediatly replied:

________________________________________
Sir,

Thank you for your interest in MLCS products.

Unfortunately, our American router bits in 1/4" and 1/2" shank sizes will not fit most European routers with metric collets at 6mm and 8mm.  We do not currently carry metric adaptor bushings either.

I'm sorry we couldn't be more helpful in this matter.
_________________________________________

Well, so no cheap slot cutter for me :( Unless I can get a UK router I guess....or one of those "metric adaptor bushings".....

FWIW, the Router you enquired about in another recent thread comes with a 1/4 inch shank and a metric shank (can't remember the size offhand).
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson

Level42

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2006, 06:01:46 am »
Wow, OK that would make it even more interesting......not sure if that will also be the case here of course...Gonna take a look in on hour or so....

Level42

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2006, 12:54:12 pm »
OK I picked it up.....figure for that amount I could take a chance...

Grasshopper, I've also got two  shanks. The one installed into the machine is the 8 mm bit. The otherone is listed as a 6 mm. bit. Does your manual say specificaly it is a 1/4"  bit ?

I am asking this because 0.5" = 6,4 mm. Will that extra 0.4 mm make it impossible to use a 1/4" bit ?

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2006, 01:09:20 pm »
I've just checked the box that my Router came in and it says - supplied with 6.35 and 8mm collets. But bear in mind my model was intended for the UK market where we still use both metric and imperial.

I'm guessing the extra 0.4mm could be an issue as power tools are built to very tight tolerances for obvious reasons.

However all is not lost as I'm pretty sure you can buy the collets separately.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #15 on: August 09, 2006, 06:27:19 pm »
Thanks Grasshopper, yes I'd thought that because the UK seems to be "in the middle" here between Europe and US, that maybe it was because of this that you had both a metric and a non-metric collet.

However, I checked again here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47937

and I noticed that there it includes a 1/4" and a 5/16" collet. That 2nd one is a very odd size I think for the US market, since most bits are either 1/4" or 1/2" there.....

Now what did my calculator tell me: 5/16" = 0,83 mm.............mmmm that's very close to "our" 8 mm isn't it ??  Kinda looks like they might be about the same  collets ????

Could you do me a big favor and measure your collets inside size ? I am really curious :D

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2006, 10:14:04 am »
Copied fron the wikipedia listing for wood router:

Quote
Bits also differ by the diameter of their shank, with

Level42

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2006, 11:21:37 am »
Indeed, I already decide NOT to experiment with this UNLESS my collet and Grasshoppers are EXACTLY the same size, which I doubt.

I've already inquired with harbourfreight in the US if they can deliver 1/2 or 1/4" collets for this router. Also with the German brand Mannesmann.
This router is being sold in lots of brands and colors.....
No replies yet...

Harborfreight has a manual online in PDF that is much better than the one that came with my machine....more and clear pictures.....weird.

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Re: 3 wing slot cutter, which one do I need ?
« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2006, 04:39:54 pm »
Got a reply from Harborfreight, and yes they do deliver the collet. It's only $1,-
The sad thing is, shipping costs $ 6.99

Now that's not too big a problem, but I've also been offered a used cutter here in Holland (metric sized). It's only used for 1 mini Galaga cab (www.vectrex.nl, click Mame Project) so should be still in great shape.

Not sure what to do now....I might just take a look if I can pick a collet that will fit my router in a DIY or hardware store when I'm over in the US.

It still would be nice to have an imperial sizes collet...for future cheap bits from the US :D
« Last Edit: August 15, 2006, 04:53:30 pm by Level42 »