Milling cutters at 23,000 RPM

[mckay3d]

I have been thinking about using a 1/4" two flute milling cutter (or slot drill) in a router. Not for metal, but for rabbets in plywood so as to get the smoothest finish. Can anyone think of reasons why this might not work or be dangerous?
Thanks....Maurice

 

[Pauls77]

Sir,

At 23,000 RPM I'd want a well balanced tool holder/assembly for that end mill.
High speed balanced EM holders, such as heat shrink type, are commonly used for metal work at those speeds.

There are plenty of purpose router cutters designed just for plywood.
Why not use one of them instead of your EM with a metal cutting geometry?

Best luck,
PaulS

 

[Tony Wells]

I've used a 1/4" 2 flute EM in a router many times with no problems. I can't really tell any advantage over a regulation router bit, but no harm was done.

 

[cyrusb]

I have used EM's in routers also, and routed aluminum plate. Works fine as long as someone is spraying for you. But really, why not just use the wood bit?

 

[Frank Ford]

At the guitar shop, we use carbide end mills routinely in the router, from 1/16" to 1/4" and they definitely give a better finish and cut more easily than straight flute router bits. They're especially effective in the tropical hardwoods we use for so many instrument fittings. Two flute, of course, for chip clearance. For the smaller bits, doing inlay work, we use a die grinder at something like 40,000 RPM.

 

[Tony Wells]

Like Frank, I'll put a 1/8" or less size in a pencil grinder for detail work or serious deburring. Some of the Em's are cheaper than the burrs made for die grinder work, but you sure have to be careful. They are far more aggressive and will grab a bite of material before you can blink.

 

[mckay3d]

Thank you all for your comments and insights. If I do use an end mill in my router, you can be sure I'll observe all the safety rules.
Regards....Maurice
( Metal and Wood Butchering done dirt cheap!)