Whiteside 1/16" Slot Cutter from T-molding.com

[Honkyharris]

I purchased this slot cutter from t-molding.com when I purchased my orange t-molding. Overall I was very impressed with the t-molding itself, but not impressed by the slot cutter. I got the cutter lined up properly using scrap pieces of MDF and noticed immediately that it was burning the wood. Even when multiple light passes were used the slot cutter burned every time which leads me to believe it was not made to be used with MDF.

After we had finished the work my garage was almost completely filled with the putrid smelling smoke created by the burning MDF. Here is a picture of the bit after completion :



You may or may not be able to see it, but it actually began to crack! Had we used this much longer it very well may have broke in use which could have ended up very poorly. We went as slow as possible when using the slot cutter to try to avoid the burning, but nothing helped.

In the end the cutter served its purpose although at this point it is scrap and I won't be able to use it on any future projects which is a bit disappointing. I am very happy with the service I have received from t-molding.com and will certainly return there for any future t-molding purchases as it was quick and the molding itself is very good quality. However, I will look elsewhere when purchasing another slot cutter.

Hope this helps,
Honkyharris

P.S. for reference the slot cutter was a Whiteside Slotting Cutter 1/16" Part# 6700A 3 wing w/ a 1-7/8" cutting diameter.

[shponglefan]

I have the same problems with this slot cutter.   However, I've found the trick is to go faster not slower.  I do about 3 relatively fast passes and that seems to reduce the burning problem.

But I plan to buy a new slot cutter for my next project.

[severdhed]

i bought a freud slot cutter bit from a local cabinet shop and it worked great.

[syph007]

I bought the exact same whiteside bit, works awesome.  I did all my routing and it looks like new.   It looks like you put the cutter on backwards, that's why its burning.   The router rotates clockwise (looking down as if you were working with it)  So you were burning your way through the wood with friction, not actually cutting it.

Not my pic, found it on another post on the site.

[saleem]

i am waiting on this set to arrive:
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/power-tools-&-accessories/router-cutters/router-cutter-sets/TR6/7-pc-slot-cutter-tct-set---1_2%22

the 1/16 slot cutter is expensive on its own so i thougt i might as well fork out like double and get 7 blades instead of like £20+ for one.

[Honkyharris]

I bought the exact same whiteside bit, works awesome.  I did all my routing and it looks like new.   It looks like you put the cutter on backwards, that's why its burning.   The router rotates clockwise (looking down as if you were working with it)  So you were burning your way through the wood with friction, not actually cutting it.

That's a possibility, in which case I'm an idiot. When it first burned my dad and I looked to make sure when had it on properly although I guess we may have not. Good catch.

[NelsonPJ]

I agree with the previous poster - I think you installed the slot cutter bit backwards, and that's why it burned.  You were probably cutting the slots with the "dull" side of the carbide blades, not the "sharp" sides.  At least you got through your job without the bit flying apart and shooting the carbide tips across your workshop/garage!

  I bought the same Whiteside router bit set from Woodcraft and had no issues - although I did apparently install the bearing and washers incorrectly.  Here's a thread from about a year ago about that same bit, along with some pictures of how to install it.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84588.msg901269#msg901269

[shponglefan]

I bought the exact same whiteside bit, works awesome.  I did all my routing and it looks like new.   It looks like you put the cutter on backwards, that's why its burning.   The router rotates clockwise (looking down as if you were working with it)  So you were burning your way through the wood with friction, not actually cutting it.

That's a possibility, in which case I'm an idiot.

That's okay, I think I did the same thing.  So at least you have company. 

[Benevolance]

I bought that same slotting cutter and have found it works very well. I had trouble deciding which way it should go on, but ran a couple test spins before trying the MDF to make sure that the blade was turning in the proper direction I would be cutting. I had a little burning on the cutter, on a few runs when I guided the slotting cutter too slowly over the wood.

Edit: I bought mine from Holbren and found them most excellent to deal with. In spite of a hurricane, they got my slotting cutter shipped across the continent in very reasonable time, and the shipping was very reasonable.

[shponglefan]

I just flipped mine around and now it cuts like a dream.  Live and learn I guess.

[LeedsFan]

I used the exact same slot cutter on my latest project. I was using plywood and it cut so easily.... I was quite impressed as I thought it might take a bit more "effort" to make the slots. I bought mine from the USA together with the 1/4" shank it attaches to. It came with a little bearing that helps to "roll" the router around the piece you are cutting and to enable you to get a consistent depth of cut. The bearing just sits between the securing nut and the cutter.

Also yeah, you fit it backwards. But then again you probably getting sick of people telling you this now.    At least you got the job done.

[Kevin Mullins]

I just flipped mine around and now it cuts like a dream.  Live and learn I guess.

I personally would not continue to use it though .... pick ya up another one and start fresh.
The heat has changed the temper, hence the cracking, it may still come apart on you at some point.

And yeah, we've all done something like that before. 

[CadeFreak]

Putting on the blade in the wrong direstion is a common but seriously dangerous problem! I bought all my t-molding and router bit from them! I know its not on T-molding to instruct us but there should be some small few instructions included with the router bit!

If you have burnt the bit by using it the wrong way its recommended that you throw it away and get a new one as it could come apart during use and seriously hurt you or others! don't forget the gloves and safety glasses!