[joe]

so, looking at a tooling catalog for cnc cutters I am confused.  I thought upwards spirals are a no brainer for chip extraction.  but i read downwards spirals help keep the parts from moving.  Makes sense, but will this lead to decreased tool life from heat buildup and clogged kerfs?   What do you guys run?

[Mike Gladstone]

We use upspiral 2 flute 1/4″ bits from Vortex for everyday cutting of Solid Surface. I’ve never had reason to use a down Spiral bit, but there will most likely be a shorter life since the chips are not being extracted. Good Vacuum, cutting speed and tool path sequence and upspiral should work just fine.

[Andy Graves]

Down spirals never seemed to help me much. The parts moved the same. I always had better results with upspiral bits.

We use single flute, upspiral, 1/4″ bits for cutting countertops to shape.

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