Parkside router.

Does the cutting shank part of it look like a Rippa end mill? ie like an ordinary helix end mill with chip breakers on the teeth? Aldi & Lidl are always selling little sets of these things which might be imperially sized.

(Ah, found a picture, the gold coloured bits is what I'm thinking of:

No - I'd call those rotary files. There are two bits that came with it - one is a conventional router bit, the other a strange looking almost twist drill - which is designed to cut sideways too. Probably tungsten by the way it snapped - but wasn't blunt.

Mmm. helical flute?

For cutting a hole in plywood, what is the name of the best type of router cutter to use?

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

Er... Hole saw or is this a trick question?:-)

A router gives a neater result. And, of course, can make any sized hole.

Yup - that's the one. Just why Lidl used such an obscure standard gawd knows. But at least the bits are available - although at much higher cost than 1/4 or 1/2" shank sizes.

A spiral flute up or down cutter depending on which face need to be perfect. Down cut= good top face. These bits tend to be best run at very high speed with steady feed as found on CNC routers. The bits are long lasting but expensive and intolerant of problems- being made of solid tungsten carbide. Depending the work and the user a single flute straight cutter might work out better value for DIY use? These give adequate top and bottom finish with a carbide blade supported by a tough steel shank.

Thanks Bob - just what I wanted to know. That's could be why the spiral flute type isn't available from the likes of ToolStation?

Like a spiral up or down cut bit?

Cutters from the sheds/Screwfix/toolsatan are Ok but only basic quality. I've found the best combination of quality and price with next day delivery for modest charge is Wealden

Also don't even think about using metalwork milling cutters, whilst they have the up cut spiral, the clearance angles are all wrong and they burn up very quickly in wood DAMHIKT!

Incidentally down cut bits are only suitable for through cutting where the bit enters an existing edge of the material not for plunge cutting. The waste is pushed downwards and blind hole cutting will end in tears with cutters becoming FUBAR very quickly. If you need a high finish on one face then best to work from the back and use an up-spiral cutter.

This is the one:-

well done that man.

I don't remember seeing spare sets at all. Several of their power tools come up fairly often - this was the only time I've seen this one. It appealed because of the ability to make holes down to about 100mm diameter. My other routers start at much more than that. Besides, it was cheap. ;-)

'Sharp'

:-)

I would second a vote for Wealden. Been using them for years. Prices are co mpetitive and service very good. You can download their price list and cata logue from their site.

I don't understand why you think your 'Big' router won't manage a small hol e. With the appropriate jig, easily home made, they will make any size hole . If you dont fancy making your own jig then these people, http://www.micro fence.com/ make the Rolls Royce version, at a Rolls Royce price. They are v ery accurate. Can be set to 0.001" with complete confidence and repeatabiii ty.

Are they the same as rotozip?

Similar sort of thing.