Straight router bit on maple

[Seth Clayton]

I used some scrap maple I had sitting around to make some edge banding on a plywood jig. I wanted to cut a rabbet into the maple to accept the guide bushing/bit combo. While cutting the rabbet, the straight bit kept making ribbons from the cut and left a poor finish cut. I tried a second bit to see if there was a problem with the first and had the same problem. Any guesses why this happened? Problem with my bits (dull?) or does this tend to happen with maple?

[Mel Fulks]

Yes. The bit might be dull. A single flute bit will cut much faster. I've worked with guys who had 20 or 30 years in the
biz and had never tried one. The difference is always a revelation.

[Seth Clayton]

Yes. The bit might be dull. A single flute bit will cut much faster. I've worked with guys who had 20 or 30 years in the
biz and had never tried one. The difference is always a revelation.

Is a straight bit appropriate for this task? A single flute bit doesn’t seem to be carried by the box stores around me...I’m sure I can find one either online or next time I’m at a real woodworking store.

[Mel Fulks]

Sounds to me like a straight bit is appropriate, but there is often another way. The single flute bits are seldom found in
stores. I don't know why