Recommendation: Carving Bits for thick exotic woods

Projects
1

Hello,

I’m relatively new to the X-Carve but have enjoyed some limited success making vinyl record clocks and simple MDF signs.

I’m now getting into some more complex projects with exotic woods (wenge, purpleheart, zebrawood) that are a 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick and I need some recommendations.

  1. What end mills/bits do folks recommend for borders that need to be cut completely through the wood? (I’m finding bits with the colored rings aren’t long enough to cut completely through the wood)

  2. What bits do you recommend for exotic wood inlays both for the “pocket” and for the “insert”? Also, should only thin wood (1/2 inch or below) be used for the “insert”?

All recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Josh