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Which X-Carve is Right for You? Learn More.

Carving Bits 101

Mo Stych

Project by

Mo Stych

General Information

How many flutes should you use for carving acrylic? When should you use a straight-cut bit instead of a downcut bit?

This episode of Easel Live covers everything you need to know about bits so you can always select the correct bit for your 3D carving project.

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Material Description Price
Carbide Tip Straight 2 Flute - 1/8 in Cutting x 1/8 in Shank

Carbide Tip Straight 2 Flute - 1/8 in Cutting x 1/8 in Shank

Quantity: 1, Shank Diameter: 1/8 in, Cutting Diameter: 1/8 in

$5.99

Carbide Tip Upcut Single Flute - 1/8 in Cutting x 1/8 in Shank

Carbide Tip Upcut Single Flute - 1/8 in Cutting x 1/8 in Shank

Quantity: 1, Shank Diameter: 1/8 in, Cutting Diameter: 1/8 in

$4.84

Solid Carbide Downcut Fish Tail Spiral Bit

Solid Carbide Downcut Fish Tail Spiral Bit

1/8" Downcut Fish Tail Carving Bit

$10.99

Add to Cart

$21.82
from Inventables

1

Watch Easel Live: Carving Bits 101

40 minutes

This is a fantastic resource for learning all about carving bits! Use this information to determine which bit to use for your next project.

In this Easel Live class, we cover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about carving bits: bit materials, flute numbers, bit types, and pairing your bit with specific carving materials so you’ll get quick, clean carves every time—no matter what you’re carving.

You can also find more detailed information about carving bits in our support center

Justin Haugens
Do you plan to create a chart or post this information somewhere?
Justin Haugens
Mo Stych
Yep! We are planning to make some more information about this soon. Thanks for your feedback!
Mo Stych
cristhian peña
Great Mo!!!! thanks!!! MDF please MDF!!!!
cristhian peña
Philip Ershler
Great presentation! It was really worth the time for all the information you conveyed.
Philip Ershler
Brandon Branch
I'm very new to the cnc world. You've answered a lot of my concerns with the different bits. Not confusing at all. Great class! Great job!
Brandon Branch
Mo Stych
Thanks, Brandon and Philip! I'm happy you both enjoyed this :-) As an FYI, we also added "more detailed information":https://inventables.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/2850808?b_id=9562&t=0 about carving bits in our support center.
Mo Stych
Bret Richards
Great information. Thanks.
Bret Richards
Alejandro Martinez
Hi Mo, very useful, thanks. Question: What is the recommended bit for engraving in Acrylic ?
Alejandro Martinez
Dan Stone
Great presentation! Please do more! For my own projects, I would love to see an end grain hardwood sample cut using all 3 types.
Dan Stone
Ruud Slaman
Great info! Thanks Mo!
Ruud Slaman
Lorenzo Cruz
It looks pretty interesting
Lorenzo Cruz
Dave Engstrand
Nice the photos are real helpful!
Dave Engstrand
David Schneider
This was a great introduction survey for the bits. How about the following topics for more "educational" vids. Cutting speeds and feeds. Materials - what to consider.
David Schneider
Sean Morrish
What do the different colour collars stand for? and why are the collars on the bits?
Sean Morrish
Mo Stych
Hi, Sean - The collared rings are to help identify which bit is which. Each bit type has a unique collar color. It's helpful for users who can't easily identify bits by looking at the flutes. (1/2)
Mo Stych
Mo Stych
The collars also ensure the bits are used correctly. When using these bits, insert the bit into the collet until the collar touches the collet. Hope this helps! (2/2)
Mo Stych
WorkinWoods
Hello when you mention HSS tools you do not mention that they are not designed for use in composite woods they are to only be used with sheet aluminum and natural woods composite woods such as MDF, OSB, Particle Board, Masonite, etc contain extremely abrasive resins, glues, and metal particles.
WorkinWoods
Sean Morrish
That does help. Thanks. Follow up question, as I've yet to purchase, (waiting on funds). Are the collars, something that just inventables does for the ease of use? or is it a common thing?
Sean Morrish
Andrew Girgen
Acrylic example is misleading. Something bad happened in the profile cut and the straight cut bit. If you look at the pocket, its way better than the others. I have done many acrylic cuts with a strait cut and have gotten great results.
Andrew Girgen
Bob Dick
I would understand that the color collars used for Identifieing , but what color Identifies what ?
Bob Dick
Marie Meyer
Just wondering if the is a signification to the color coding rings on some of the bits?
Marie Meyer
Marie Meyer
Oh, just saw you already address the color rings. So never mind ;~)
Marie Meyer
Dan Seay
I just ordered my 1000mm CNC. This is very helpful information for a beginner.
Dan Seay
Rene Goderich
What about using v-bits to bevel? will there be a time the future to purchase router bits with a radius? Or is there a work around using a third party bit?
Rene Goderich
Mo Stych
Hi, Rene - For v-bits, I suggest checking out "Carving Bits 201.":https://www.inventables.com/projects/carving-bits-201-feeds-speeds-and-v-bits While we don't sell bits with a radius, I'll pass your feedback along to our Product team for future consideration. Thanks!
Mo Stych
Fred Wienbarg
Just ordered one of your machines. I’ll watch this probably ten more times before I think that I might understand. You do a great job. Thanks.
Fred Wienbarg
Bob SCHAPER
Thanks For the info on the bits, Keep these videos coming
Bob SCHAPER
Kenneth Maddux
Link does not work anymore. :(
Kenneth Maddux
Steve Davis
Very useful for beginners like me. I'm going to try up-cutting bits for the next acrylic job I do. I wrote a little program to cut out dust shoe inserts. Wicked remelt with my down cutting. Thanks, Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Matthew Danser
Can the X-Carve cut mother of pearl for inlays?
Matthew Danser
Kim Starr
Very helpful to me. Questions how to choose size/type. 1st try it made a bunch of holes i changed bits to a smaller size and it did 1/2 of the job Changed bit & broke off 2 I gave up. Chose a corn milling bit 1.0mm-1.8mm on 4x4" 3/4" pine plywood underlayment.
Kim Starr
Michael S Stulz
Still waiting for my X Carve to arrive....was great information about some bit selection questions I had....Much nicer watching a attractiv e female explain vesus a hairy male
Michael S Stulz
Mike Nees
audio and video do not sync even remotely close. No clue what is going on or happening due to the mismatch.
Mike Nees
Owen Ott
Is there a tutorial for adding custom bits (including 3rd party bits). I’ve added the surfacing bit, but there’s no picture for it. Had to use the 1/4” pic for a 1” surface bit.
Owen Ott