CNC Guide

Terms to Know:

• Cut Diameter - The diameter of the tip used for the cut, which determines the minimum width of a cut line. Smaller cut diameters allow for more detailed work, but take longer to cut the same area than a larger bit. Standard cut diameters range from 1/2" to 1/16", however more are available.
• Length of Cut (LoC) - The length of the bit from tip to the end of the flutes, which determines the maximum depth of the cut. Generally, the larger the cut diameter, the larger possible LoC.
• Flutes - The bladed grooves that run along the length of cut (LoC). The more flutes a bit has, the more material that can be removed at once, allowing for faster cut speeds. The cutting blades come in a variety of shapes that determine how the material is moved during the cut.
  • Straight - The flutes run in a straight line down the LoC. Theses bits are generally cheaper, but have a limit to how deep a pass can be when cutting.
  • Up, Down, or Compression - For spiral bits, this determines the direction the blades face as they run along the spiraled flute. Up-cuts move the debris upward, leaving a smooth bottom of the cut, while the top is rougher. The opposite is true for down-cuts. Compression flutes move the material towards the middle and can often leave the material smooth on both ends.
• Shank and Shank Diameter - The part of the bit that goes into the spindle, which may have a significantly different diameter than the cut diameter. Most bits supplied by PPLD have 1/4" shanks, however the are also bits with 1/8" and 1/2" shanks.
• End - The shape of the tip of the bit.
  • Endmill - The end is flat, leaving the edges of a cut that does not go through the material at 90 degrees.
  • Ballnose - The end is rounded, leaving the edges curved like a bowl.
  • Engraving - A sharped tip that is half the cut diameter, and often used for fine detail and lettering.
  • V-Bit - A bit used for using with V-Carve toolpaths for lettering.

These are the bits supplied by PPLD. If you would like to use your own bits, you can as long as they are compatible with ShopBot routers. If you do supply your own bits, you will have to manually add them to the tool library in VCarve Pro.

PPLD Bits:

All bits have an 1/4" shank and two flutes unless noted.

Bit	Number	Picture
1" V-Bit 90° (1/2" shank)	37-63
1 V-Bit 60° (1/2" shank)	37-82
1/2" V-Bit 90°	37-61
1/2" Straight End Mill	48-014
1/2" Straight End Mill (1/2" shank)	48-080
1/4" Straight End Mill (1/2" shank)	48-018
1/4" Down-cut	57-910
1/4" Up-cut End Mill 1 Flute	65-023
1/4" Engraving 0.02" tip	37-05
1/4" Compression End Mill	60-112
1/8" Up-cut Ballnose	52-240B
1/8" Down-cut End Mill	57-240
1/16" Up-cut Ballnose	PCL 583659
1/16" Up-cut End Mill 1 Flute (1/8" shank)	65-000