Interesting.. Thanks for cost saving tip..

"CW" wrote in message
nk.net...
The idea behind down spiral is to reduce chipout on the surface.
Particularly good for plywood. These spiral bits are direct copies of two
flute metal cutting end mills. End mills are what I use. They are less
expensive (about $25.00 to $30.00 dollars for a 1/2" end mill as opposed
to
$50.00 to $60.00 for a spiral router bit) and work great. The only real
advantage to the spiral router bit is shank size. They are ground to fit
the
average router. The most common sizes in spiral router bits are 1/4, 3/8,
and 1/2 and are ground to fit either a 1/4 or 1/2 collet. With end mills,
about the only thing available to fit a 1/4 collet is a 1/4 cutter. 3/8
has
a 3/8 shank. 1/2 is of course 1/2 shank. In between sizes have the next
size
larger standard shank. Example: a 5/16 end mill will have a 3/8 shank.
Most
routers have 1/4 and 1/2 collets. If there is a 3/8 collet available for
your router (there is for PC routers), you have the size range covered
from
1/2 down. End mills are also available as up spiral or down spiral. Use
the
down spiral only if neccessary. They tend to lift the router out of the
work
and pack chips into the cut.

"Jim Hall" wrote in message
news:yj7Lg.3357$TA5.2675@fed1read09...
I was looking at spiral router bits on the internet and see they have
two
flute up spiral bits and two flute down spiral bits. I'm confused.
What
the heck is the difference between these two types and for what purpose.
I
can imagine use for up spiral.. chips are extracted.. but down spiral?
Why.. Thanks..