Inlay with a Router.

[mickey cassiba]

Still unpacking! Down to the boxes of accessories and spare parts now. The only casualty seems to be the jointer. One of the goodies I found was a PC inlay kit consisting of baseplate template guide and removable bushing, with a 1/8" upspiral bit. Also have a PC 310 palm router.
The wife wants some display cases for her jewelry projects, they need to look pretty good as she is signing on with a few local boutiques for consignment sales. I've got some mesquite(some pretty large pieces and some 1/2" mesquite flooring scrap. Also have some purple heart scrap(1/4x1/2x20) I'm thinking about inlaying the PH into the mesquite in side the case to give a little space definition. Band saw is running great with new belt, I thing I can resaw the PH down to about 1/16". I've looked, but not found a 1/16 router bit. Would an end mill work? I have a few 1/16 carbide EM that I can cut in half, but I'm wondering if the geometry of the EMs is wrong for wood milling.
Advice and comments are appreciated, the boss has put this pretty high up on the honey-do list

[David Christopher]

Mickey, most end mills have tapered sides and wood spiral bits have strait sides

[mickey cassiba]

True but at the depth I'm thinking of (1/32) dou you thing that would be an issue?
If so, can you point me at a supplier for verry small router bits on a 1/4 shank?

[mike holden]

Ummmm, David,
Dont know where you get the idea that "most end mills have tapered sides" but having used them professionally for over 30 years, that is not my experience. You could not make most precision cuts if the sides were tapered.
You are probably confusing the draft angles put into molds with the cutter shapes.

Not to say that endmills are not available with tapered sides, but they are by no means the norm.

In this instance, an endmill is an acceptable bit for the use.

Mike

[Kent A Bathurst]

I've looked, but not found a 1/16 router bit.

THis is what I use - 1/8" shank with 1/16" up-cut spiral bit. Need to also get the adapter collet for 1/4" router collet. Works great.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Routing_bits.html

[mickey cassiba]

Thanks Kent...just what I was looking for.
Mick

[Mike Henderson]

Here's a couple more places.

Drill city (http://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/)

Drill technology (http://www.drilltechnology.com/drilltec.html#menu)

Mike

[Kent A Bathurst]

Cool - .020 bits - the knowledge base here at SMC is amazing - Thanks, Mike.