# What bit should I use? **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [October 13, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662 "2024-10-13T22:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LizMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@LizMurphy](https://community.inventables.com/u/LizMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/1 "2024-10-13T22:41:06Z")
Hi everyone, I am kind of a beginner, and I don’t understand when to use which bit and when. This is my first time using hard wood, and I’m wondering what would be the best bit to cut this out? It’s a thick piece of wood (.80) so im having a hard time finding a bit thats long enough! > **[Copy of NEW MIRROR 10-12-24 - outline + line](https://easel.inventables.com/projects/swnRO1iOVYazwj0ovWfrrg)** > > by Liz murphy This is the project, if you know what I should use! ---
**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/2 "2024-10-13T22:48:28Z")
If you move up to a 3/16 or 1/4: diameter bit, you 'll see longer lengths. It just means a bit more wood will be removed. [SpeTool Spiral 1/4 Dia Down Cut Router Bit Carbide End Mill For Wood](https://spetools.com/products/spetool-w04004-spiral-down-cut-router-bit-1-4-dia-1-4-shank?variant=41554319737015¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOop2M4k-hnIFO6Ti1Wu0BrilOS2Z6LKvUvi2to_QD_rMzeO0CFNtJVs) [SpeTool 3/16 Dia Spiral Down Cut Router Bit 1/4 Shank Carbide End Mill (spetools.com)](https://spetools.com/products/spetool-w04035-sc-spiral-plunge-3-16-dia-1-4-shank-down-cut-router-bit?variant=43194679165111¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_id=1007&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIitCC_riMiQMVsUX_AR0lnwTNEAQYAyABEgLmgvD_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![MikeBein](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/mikebein/32/83925_2.png) [@MikeBein](https://community.inventables.com/u/MikeBein)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/3 "2024-10-13T22:50:40Z")
I would use 1/4 up cut or down cut spiral bit 85 ipm .125dpp on my onefinity. Only use 1/8 when there are vectors the 1/4 would not be able to fit in. It’s also worth toggling between bits in easel to see where your estimated machine times are. ---
**Author:** ![LizMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@LizMurphy](https://community.inventables.com/u/LizMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/4 "2024-10-25T23:25:14Z")
> **[SHARPRO Upcut Spiral Router Bit 1/4 Inch Shank 1/4 Inch Cutting DIA. 1 Inch CL....](https://www.amazon.com/Spiral-Router-Carving-Mortise-Engraving/dp/B0DHKXKNJ8)** > > SHARPRO Upcut Spiral Router Bit 1/4 Inch Shank 1/4 Inch Cutting DIA. 1 Inch CL. Extra Long 2-1/4 Inch OVL. CNC Up Cut Router Bit Solid Carbide, Ideal for Wood Cutting, Slot Mortise, Carving, Engraving - Amazon.com I ended up ordering this bit bc its long but also a 1/8 bit…We’ll see how it goes! thank you all for your help ---
**Author:** ![LizMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@LizMurphy](https://community.inventables.com/u/LizMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/5 "2024-10-26T18:06:14Z")
update: the bit broke hahaaaa…I will use a 1/4 ---
**Author:** ![MikeBein](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/mikebein/32/83925_2.png) [@MikeBein](https://community.inventables.com/u/MikeBein)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/6 "2024-10-27T01:08:20Z")
I hope you didn’t think I meant you should use the same feeds and speeds for an 1/8 bit as the 1/4". I have a chip load chart that came with a but I got off Amazon that has really good information for figuring this stuff out ![Messenger_creation_68B64D6B-5E39-4EC6-9C03-DE5D35ED8DCB](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/c/4c4f4c34821840380221ef01e85acde4123c9f69.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![PhilDejarnett](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/phildejarnett/32/87999_2.png) [@PhilDejarnett](https://community.inventables.com/u/PhilDejarnett)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/7 "2024-10-27T18:25:17Z")
This is really useful! [I think I found the original PDF for this chart here if anyone else wants to print out a copy.](https://www.freudtools.com/public/assets/freud/downloadables/freudtools-router-bit-feed-and-speed-for-cnc-20170822.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![LizMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@LizMurphy](https://community.inventables.com/u/LizMurphy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/8 "2024-12-06T20:29:18Z")
Thank you all for your help! I did end up moving to a 1/4 bit and it cut great. For this next project [(HERE IS THE EASLE FILE- a Christmas gift to my mom)](https://easel.inventables.com/projects/Wp1WvjHb5k_K4Wy83UZveA) Im trying to engrave words into hardwood with a 1/32 bit, but they keep breaking…Should I use a V bit? I just ordered this [30 Degree V Bit 1/4" Shank, Carbide CNC Chamfer End Mill, 3-Flute V Groove Router Bit with Blue Nano Coating for Wood CNC Engraving Carving(Extra Long)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CYX28DFL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1) Would that carve the letters without breaking? and if the Vbit would work, what is the cutting diameter on a Vbit to input to the settings? ---
**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/9 "2024-12-06T22:21:51Z")
There was this: [V bit setting - Projects / Luthier - Inventables Community Forum](https://community.inventables.com/t/v-bit-setting/158200/2) ---
**Author:** ![JordanLee1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9a140/32.png) [@JordanLee1](https://community.inventables.com/u/JordanLee1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/10 "2024-12-08T22:49:34Z")
A V-bit is a much better choice for strength, but your problem is too fast of a feed rate. If you broke a 1/8th bit, it is pretty clear to me that you are going too deep and too fast. I know it takes a LOT longer to do things, but if you want it to work, you need to slow down. It isn’t about the speed of the machine and how fast you can expect to get it done. Listen to the machine, and watch the bit. My machine can do 2,000mm/m, but I can rarely go that fast. Any bit that has a smaller tip than the shaft should be slowed down by half (or more) per half a unit. For example, I can do a through-cut with a 1/4" straight bit at 2,000mm/m, but a 1/8" bit can’t be more than 1,000mm/m (I go about 750mm/m), and at 1/16" I am more like 300mm/m or less. At 1/32", I would be pushing my luck at 100mm/m. I do use v-bits similar to what you have posted, and they work great and are strong. That does look like a good choice. But reduce your feed rate. With a bit like that, I can do maybe 500 to 750mm/m on a softer wood, and 350mm/m or less on a hard wood. Your machine is different than mine, and maybe you can go more. I’m just saying what works for me. Listen to the sounds that it makes, and watch what the bit is doing. You want it to be smooth, not struggling. If you are using Easel to carve, you can change the speed on the fly up in the toolbar. Make it go faster or slower to find the sweet spot. Otherwise, just be patient and wait. Quality does take time. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/system/32/67217_2.png) [@system](https://community.inventables.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/what-bit-should-i-use/157662/11 "2025-06-06T22:50:31Z")
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