Bit Suggestions???

[scr2000]

Hey there. This is my first post to this forum. I just inherited a Compucarve machine. It has never been used. Thing is, it came with no bits at all. Can some of you more experienced users guide me as to what I should buy? I know there is a "full kit" on Amazon, but are all those bits very useful for a beginner? I also saw an adapter thing (the "ER-11") that appears to be an adapter to use regular router bits. I haven't even turned the machine on, so I am very green to this... please keep that in mind. I really want to get to using the machine, but I want to make the right bit decisions so I don't end up buying something I don't really need.
Thanks!!!


Here is that "ER-11" adapter I mentioned:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120350498453&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR4 0%26_trksid%3Dm38.l1313%26_nkw%3D120350498453%26_s acat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1

[cnsranch]

Welcome!!

First of all, if you're married, apologize to your spouse now for all the time you'll be spending with your new toy :D

Give LHR a call and order a 1/16" carving bit and adapter, and a 1/8" cutting bit and adapter - that's all you need to get started. You may choose to get others as you learn.

I don't know anything about the adapter you attached, I'm interested in what others say.

Great luck!!

[atauer]

Welcome to the forum.

You picked a great place to start learning about your machine. I would read anything and everything you can get your hands on regarding the machine.

CNS said it best. Get the basic bits (1/16th carving and 1/8th in cutting) to get yourself started. You can add more bits later.

As for the adapter that you are showing, I don't think that it will work with the quick change adapter that comes on the machine. But, since I have never seen the adapter that you are showing first-hand, I myself am also curious as to what the others will say about this.

Guys, any more info?

[Jeff_Birt]

That adapter is interesting. It looks like a standard CarveWright 1/2" bit adapter with a ER-11 collet adapter bolted in. I'm not sure how convenient it would be to change bits in/out of the adapter each time though. But it is kind of neat.

[cnsranch]

Kind of expensive, too.

[Jeff_Birt]

I asked the seller on Ebay about this ER-11 thing as I suspected it was an industrial collet chuck that mad been modified.

It is a Crafstman Industries ER-11 series collet chuck that has been cut down to work to fit in a standard 1/2" bit adapter. The advantage is that you can get ER-11 collets to hold many different shank sizes. As far as cost a typical collet chuk like that would cost $150 bucks or so and decent ER-11 collets could be had for $20 or so each. But then you still have to manually change the bit out each time.

I'll have to give the guy credit though. It was a very creative idea!

[scr2000]

looks like the 1/16" carving and 1/8" cutting bits are out of stock :(

[atauer]

Website needs to be updated. Call in and place over the phone. We got in a shipment late last week.

[scr2000]

thanks atauer!