CNC Router Bits
TCT Straight Flute Router Bits for Laminate, MDF and Acrylic Trimming
Solid carbide TCT straight flute router bits for trimming laminate, MDF, chipboard and solid surface, 3.175 to 12.7 mm shanks, single and double flute.
Specifications
- Type
- TCT straight flute (straight cut) router bit
- Tip Material
- Tungsten carbide (solid carbide or brazed)
- Flutes
- Single flute and double flute
- Shank
- 3.175 mm (1/8"), 6 mm, 6.35 mm (1/4"), 12.7 mm (1/2")
- Cutting Diameter
- 3 mm to 20 mm
- Cutting Length
- 6 mm to 50 mm
- Materials
- Laminate, MDF, chipboard, plywood, acrylic, PVC, solid surface
- Machine
- CNC router, hand router, laminate trimmer
Straight flute bits cut a square-bottomed groove or trim an edge with the cutter axis parallel to the work. They are the most-used bit in any panel shop: trimming laminate overhang, cutting hinge and lock recesses, grooving for splines, and cutting out shapes in MDF and acrylic.
Single flute or double flute
A single flute bit has one cutting edge and a large chip space — it clears soft plastics and laminate adhesive well and cuts fast, but gives a rougher finish. A double flute bit has two edges: better finish, less vibration, and it is the standard choice for MDF, chipboard and hardwood.
Shank and collet
The shank must match the collet: 3.175 mm (1/8 inch), 6 mm, 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) or 12.7 mm (1/2 inch). A 6 mm bit in a 1/4 inch collet will slip and ruin both. For deep cuts and hard material the larger shank carries more rigidity, which shows up as less chatter at the bottom of the groove.
Speeds and feeds
Straight bits cut best with a feed rate high enough to make a real chip. Too slow and the bit rubs, burns the edge and dulls quickly; too fast and the tool deflects, giving a tapered groove. In acrylic and PVC, a slow spiral-free straight cut generates heat — a single flute bit with air blast or coolant solves it.
Bits for the job
Laminate trimming: single flute, small diameter, short cutting length, bearing or shank-mounted guide. Hinge recesses: short double flute with a precise diameter. Grooving: two flute with a cutting length that reaches the required depth in one pass. Acrylic: single flute, polished, with a low helix.
A straight bit is only as good as the collet it sits in — check the shank and the collet before blaming the cut.
ZhongJian Tech manufactures PCD diamond and TCT carbide cutting tools for edgebanding and CNC machining in Futian Town, Anyuan District, Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. Send your machine brand and model, board material and the part number you are replacing for a specification and quotation. Email ferrytk803@gmail.com, phone / WhatsApp +86 13617995900.
Frequently asked questions
Which collet do I need for this bit?
The shanks available on this tool are 3.175 mm (1/8"), 6 mm, 6.35 mm (1/4"), 12.7 mm (1/2"). Use the largest shank the collet accepts: at the same overhang a small shank deflects more, and deflection is what shows up as chatter, a poor wall finish and a shortened edge life. Keep the bit as short in the collet as the job allows.
What does Single flute and double flute change in the cut?
Flute count sets how much chip room the bit has and how many edges are cutting at once. More flutes give a finer finish with less clearance for the chip; fewer flutes clear chips better and suit softer or gummier material and smaller diameters.
Which materials does this geometry suit?
It is intended for laminate, MDF, chipboard, plywood, acrylic, PVC, solid surface. Match the feed and the depth per pass to the material. A bit fed too slowly rubs the edge instead of cutting it, which costs edge life faster than a slightly higher feed does.
Can the diameter or cutting length be changed?
Yes. Cutting diameter, cutting length, shank and flute geometry are made to drawing. Send the material, the depth of cut and the machine, and the specification is confirmed against those rather than against the nearest stock size.
