Determining router speed and feed rates

[TheByrdHouse]

I am just beginning to use my CNC router. One thing I haven't seen is a website or chart which will help me determine how to set the Router speed and feed rate for different bits and material.

Can someone suggest a place to get that type of guidance?

Thanks - Bill Byrd

[Adrian]

What you're looking for is something called chip load tables. Most manufacturers supply them on their sites or you can use generic ones.

Note that they are only a starting point to get you in the ballpark. To get the optimum settings you need to experiment to find the best combination for your machine, material and bits.

Here are some links that might help.

http://precisebits.com/tutorials/calibr ... speeds.htm

https://www.onsrud.com/plusdocs/Doc/ind ... FeedSpeeds

www.vortextool.com/images/chipLoadChart.pdf

[TheByrdHouse]

Thanks. This is helpful information.

[rscrawford]

For most ideal chip loads, you need a pretty sturdy machine otherwise you get chatter, lose steps, etc - so take into account your machine before following those chip load charts (a lot of bits are meant to cut at 21000rpm and 600ipm - many machines won't handle this!) If your machine can handle it, following the chip load for each bit will give the longest bit life.

For instance, when I had a Shark I had to take lighter passes, at a much much slower feed than the chip load charts called for. But with my Cobra I pretty much follow the guide for each bit (but I'll change feed speeds or spindle speed for difficult grains on solid wood, etc).

[TheByrdHouse]

Thanks Russell