# The best keyhole bit money can buy! **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [January 12, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731 "2017-01-12T00:04:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/1 "2017-01-12T00:04:32Z")
Thought I would share a high end keyhole bit that I had to buy for a job its not super high end but its Italian made so its got to be good lol ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/e/2/e2510ea8930373dfdd87d1c2ba75840dfbd03728.jpg) > **[Woodworking tools, Power tools and Circular saw blades | CMT Orange Tools](https://www.cmtorangetools.com/na-en/)** > > Since 1962 CMT has been producing professional tools for woodworking: router bits, circular saw blades, sabre and jig saws. Discover the catalogue! ---
**Author:** ![JanVanderlinden](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/janvanderlinden/32/48838_2.png) [@JanVanderlinden](https://community.inventables.com/u/JanVanderlinden)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/2 "2017-01-12T00:12:30Z")
I noticed that you were talking with your hands!! LOL… Seriously, I’m also looking for a good keyhole bit. ---
**Author:** ![JanVanderlinden](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/janvanderlinden/32/48838_2.png) [@JanVanderlinden](https://community.inventables.com/u/JanVanderlinden)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/3 "2017-01-12T00:13:51Z")
you have a part number? ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/4 "2017-01-12T00:15:17Z")
oh yeah lol that tool is solid carbide (well most of it) they do make a 1/4 shank version for the x-carve also as that one is a 1/2" shank but just make sure that you pre-mill the entry hole and the slot with a properly sized endmill so for that tool you also need to buy a 3/16" end mill sdo you can do all your roughing work before that tool is used ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/5 "2017-01-12T00:15:22Z")
Not a great bit, but I have been using this one: > **[BOSCH 85078 3/8 In. High Speed Steel Carbide-Tipped Keyhole Bit - Straight...](https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-85078-Speed-Carbide-Tipped-Keyhole/dp/B000WA6ZRU)** > > Product Description Through 80 years of developing innovative tools and accessories for the concrete professional, BOSCH has become the acknowledged leader in the industry. with a robust line that can address everything from the toughest... ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:50am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/6 "2017-01-12T00:50:48Z")
yeah see I was using carbide tips like that and I just kept breaking them at the small diameter due them being steal so far with this solid carbide one I have been able to slot at over 80ipm with no issues (big machine speeds but I am sure that with pre mill the x-carve could do the same) ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/7 "2017-01-12T00:53:02Z")
I don’t mill a hole first…I just plunge and wiggle the bit bit up…lol ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/8 "2017-01-12T00:54:56Z")
teach me your ways lol cause I have broken 8 of those tipped ones so far doing that I wish I didnt have to pre mill everything ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/9 "2017-01-12T00:57:09Z")
I plunge very slowly…usually at 8 ipm…then I only cut at 20 ipm with this bit…move 0.125", then back 0.125, move 0.25 then back 0.125…I go a total of 0.75" ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/10 "2017-01-12T00:58:35Z")
I’ve done a few dozen with this bit in maple, cherry, oak and MDF. ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/12 "2017-01-12T01:00:29Z")
I took the one from here on the forum and edited it by hand…so I just load the code and run it when I need it. ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/14 "2017-01-12T01:10:06Z")
That one has a nice price, no doubt. I hate when I break an expensive bit, but it still happens, and I’ve been doing this for a while…I built my first machine in 2009 and I still break things. ---
**Author:** ![JosephCompton](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/josephcompton/32/32864_2.png) [@JosephCompton](https://community.inventables.com/u/JosephCompton)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/15 "2017-01-12T01:15:44Z")
I’ve been switching over to CMT entirely. I’ve been really impressed with everything I have used of theres compared with Amana and Onsrud. I just used my CMT keyhole bit this morning in hard maple. I’ve never pre-drilled and never had a problem. I plunged at 40 and cut at 30, or there abouts- no problem. I love the keyhole tool in VCarve. I just need to find a way to repeat with my controller so that it doesn’t keep measuring the bit between pieces. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/9/6/96aa5e14da66151a4d7a93e8d4a55b308ab710a0.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:18am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/16 "2017-01-12T01:18:10Z")
That’s why I just use a set g-code file for keyholes. I position the x-y over my mark and probe the z-axis and hit go. Nice and quick. And that is a nice clean keyhole. ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/17 "2017-01-12T01:21:17Z")
@ErikJenkins hmm see maybe that was my problem see it started out at around 8 or 10 ipm but I was trying to power all the way through I never hand edited gcode to take it in steps what rpm are you guys turning these things at? I just can not find chipload info anywhere for these all I have gotten so far was .005" at 12000rpm but I am assuming you are running them at 16000 with the dewalt? ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/18 "2017-01-12T01:24:22Z")
I am running with the dewalt on 1, so about 16k rpm. ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/20 "2017-01-12T01:31:29Z")
so when I was trying to run this on my bigger machine with those bits I kept breaking them and it was because of chatter now granite I have never cut a keyhole on the x-carve but do you think that the x-carve being less rigid is why you are able to do it and I can’t just curious cause I got to tell you this whole keyhole slot adventure has been quite frustrating to say the least ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/22 "2017-01-12T01:48:25Z")
@PhilJohnson when it is pecking does it clear all of the chips in between every peck? ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/24 "2017-01-12T01:53:11Z")
@PhilJohnson hmm yeah maybe I need to try that cause I even tried air cooling the tool with 90 psi of air and the tools where still breaking after 6-7 keyhole slots I am working in red oak ---
**Author:** ![JosephCompton](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/josephcompton/32/32864_2.png) [@JosephCompton](https://community.inventables.com/u/JosephCompton)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731/25 "2017-01-12T01:53:27Z")
This is my machine ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/9/4993b4a4d2851e5560f196a0298090ae0eb48039.JPG) @ErikJenkins it’s not the code it’s the automatic tool measuring device on my machine. It measures the bit before each cut. I’m sure there’s an easy solution but I haven’t looked into very seriously yet. [Next page](https://community.inventables.com/t/the-best-keyhole-bit-money-can-buy/32731.md?page=2)