5mm Boring Bits - Left Hand vs Right Hand

[Josh Baldwin]

Hi I just started using some cabinet software for the CNC and I was thinking I should probably use a brad point boring bit for the 5mm holes instead of a spiral bit. But I see that there are left handed and right handed bits. I'm not sure which one would be correct for this operation. Thanks in advance for the advice!

[David Buchhauser]

Josh - I would think the right hand bits would be the best choice assuming your spindle turns clockwise as viewed from the top. In the metal working world, left hand bits are often used for drilling into broken off bolts or studs (assuming the bolt or stud has right hand threads). This way, if the bit happens to stick into the stud, it will sometimes just unscrew it without the need for an easy-out screw extractor. For wood applications, I'm really not sure when one might choose left hand over right hand bits.
David

[Gary Campbell]

Left hand brad point bits (with 10mm D shafts) are used in bulti bit boring machines as they are connected by gears and every other one turns the opposite direction.

[Josh Baldwin]

Josh - I would think the right hand bits would be the best choice assuming your spindle turns clockwise as viewed from the top. In the metal working world, left hand bits are often used for drilling into broken off bolts or studs (assuming the bolt or stud has right hand threads). This way, if the bit happens to stick into the stud, it will sometimes just unscrew it without the need for an easy-out screw extractor. For wood applications, I'm really not sure when one might choose left hand over right hand bits.
David

Awesome, thanks for the info! I'll order the right handed one.

[Josh Baldwin]

Left hand brad point bits (with 10mm D shafts) are used in bulti bit boring machines as they are connected by gears and every other one turns the opposite direction.

Ok good to know, thanks for the info.

[Brian Lamb]

What Gary said, I have a 7 spindle attachment for my Blum machine and it has left and right hand cutters. You could use either, but you would have to remember to use M04 instead of M03 on the left handed bits.... sounds like a recipe for disaster.