I’m fairly new the Multicam (I took my test last week) and several projects I want to pursue require finer cuts than can be achieved on the 1/4" bits at the space. Does anyone have any experience or words of wisdom for using smaller end cut bits–1/8" or even 1/16"? Thanks!
When using smaller bits, remember that the cutting part of the bit is short - a 16th bit will usually have a 3/8" maximum depth of cut, an eighth around a half inch. If you try to cut deeper, the shank of the bit will jam in the stock and cause a head crash.
Small bits heat faster, causing them to break more easily if you don’t get the feedrate and rpm right. Make sure you understand chipload, and how to manipulate it.
Thanks for the info–where would/should I find the feedrate, rpm, etc.? I was thinking of running the cut with a 1/4", then doing the same toolpath with 1/8", then 1/16" so the smaller bits will have less to cut. Does that sound right?
The smaller bits wouldn’t cut if you ran the same tool path with a smaller bit, as the cutting edge would then be offset by the difference in bit diameters.
You are thinking correctly – you probably want to rough cut with a larger bit before detailing with a small bit. That small bit (or bits) will need its own tool path with appropriate feeds and speeds. The feed and speed for a larger bit will likely be excessive for smaller bit.