Hi everyone, recently ordered an Ooznest workbee and id like to starting building a collection of bits. Can anyone recommend a UK suplier please? Thanks Zac
What materials do you want to work with? And what sort of jobs? For wood I recommend some cheap (because you WILL break some at first) router bits - look at Screwfix and the Silverline range at Toolstation (I've used these to mill aluminium - the quality is higher than you might expect from the price). Screwfix also sell Trend V bits which are fairly good quality. For end mills get some from E-bay. Once you have got the hang of things then look at better quality bits :- CNC Router Bits - OpenBuilds Part Store Alex.
One of my favorite types for cutting wood is the straight flute endmills like these for example. Straight 3 Flutes Solid Carbide End Mill 1/4" Nano Shield I like them because they do not have as much tear-out as an up-cut bit. I know there are compression bits that prevent tear-out, but I still prefer these because they can be found most places that sell router bits and they work great for plastics as well. In the 1/8" size I will also use them for cutting aluminum. One thing to remember with any router bit is that if the actual size varies from the manufacturer's stated size, your cuts will not be accurate because the computer bases the cutting position on what size endmill you say is doing the cutting. I have used many, many cheap 1/8" Chinese endmills (because I keep breaking them) and I have found them size-wise to be the most consistent when it comes to being inconsistent on their actual vs stated size. I have yet to get a cheap Chinese endmill to measure 3.175mm with my caliper. They are usually around 3.16mm, and have had them range in size by 0.5mm (+ or-) in a ten pack. At first I thought my machine was suffering from severe deflection issues when I would helical drill my 5.2mm holes in aluminum plates and the 5mm screws would be tight fitting. Then I decided to check the endmill diameter and the problem was solved.
Getting some really valuable information here. Thank you so much. So pleased i found this forum. I dont know if you guys ate UK based but i always try and buy from a UK manufacturer as much as possible. I came across titman.co.uk who say they manufacture their tools here. Ever heard of them?
