FAQ Center
Welcome to spetools's FAQ Center. Below you'll find answers to frequently asked questions, organized by topic. Click any question to see its dedicated answer page.
Spiral Bits
- What is a spiral router bit and how is it different from a straight router bit? ↗ Related product
- What is the difference between an up-cut and a down-cut spiral bit? ↗ Related product
- When should I use an up-cut bit versus a down-cut bit? ↗ Related product
- What is a compression spiral bit and when do I use it? ↗ Related product
- What materials can SpeTool spiral bits cut? ↗ Related product
- Are SpeTool spiral router bits made of solid carbide? ↗ Related product
- Can I use these bits with a handheld router, or are they only for CNC machines? ↗ Related product
- What shank sizes are available, and does using a 1/2" ↗ Related product
- Are spiral bits better than straight router bits for woodworking? ↗ Related product
- Can these spiral bits be used to cut aluminum or acrylic sheets? ↗ Related product
- How can I avoid breaking spiral bits, especially the smaller diameters? ↗ Related product
- How long do these spiral bits typically last? ↗ Related product
- What is the SPE-X coating on some SpeTool spiral bits? ↗ Related product
- Do SpeTool spiral bits come in sets? ↗ Related product
- Does SpeTool provide recommended speeds and feeds for their spiral bits? ↗ Related product
Surfacing Bits
- What is a surfacing router bit and what is it used for? ↗ Related product
- Can I flatten a wood slab with a router surfacing bit? ↗ Related product
- What size surfacing bit should I use on my CNC or router table? ↗ Related product
- Do I need a 1/2-inch shank router to use surfacing bits? ↗ Related product
- How deep of a cut can I take when surfacing a board or slab? ↗ Related product
- What’s the difference between insert surfacing bits and one-piece (solid carbide) surfacing bits? ↗ Related product
- How do I change or rotate the blades on an insert surfacing bit? ↗ Related product
- Does SpeTool sell replacement insert knives for their surfacing bits? ↗ Related product
- Can I use a surfacing bit on epoxy or resin surfaces (like in a river table)? ↗ Related product
- My surfaced board has slight lines or ridges between passes – how do I minimize that? ↗ Related product
- Is it better to use a slower router speed for large surfacing bits? ↗ Related product
Router Sleds
- What types of projects can I use a router sled for? ↗ Related product
- What is the maximum slab size I can flatten with a SpeTool router sled? ↗ Related product
- How do you adjust the cutting depth or height on the SpeTool sled? ↗ Related product
- Is the SpeTool router sled compatible with my router? ↗ Related product
- Can I use the sled on thick slabs or timber? ↗ Related product
- What comes with the SpeTool router sled? Do I need to buy anything else to start flattening? ↗ Related product
- Is the router sled difficult to assemble or use? ↗ Related product
- What makes the SpeTool router sled sturdy and stable in use? ↗ Related product
- Can the router sled handle smaller pieces as well as large slabs? ↗ Related product
- What’s the difference between the SpeTool Cratos PRO sled and the Xpert sled? ↗ Related product
- How do I secure a slab or board when using the router sled so it doesn’t move? ↗ Related product
Inlay Kits
- What does a router inlay kit do? ↗ Related product
- What is included in the SpeTool router inlay kit? ↗ Related product
- Will this inlay kit work with my router? ↗ Related product
- How do you actually use the inlay kit to make an inlay? ↗ Related product
- What size templates and guides does this kit use? Is it the same as the Whiteside inlay kit? ↗ Related product
- Do I need special templates for creating inlays with this kit? ↗ Related product
- Is the SpeTool inlay kit beginner-friendly for someone who’s never done inlay work? ↗ Related product
- How deep can I cut with the bits in this inlay kit? ↗ Related product
- Can I make butterfly (bowtie) inlays with this kit? ↗ Related product
- What’s the purpose of the centering pin in the kit? ↗ Related product
- Can I use other router bit sizes with this inlay kit, or only the included 1/8" and 1/4"?," ↗ Related product
Flush Trim Bits
- What is a flush trim router bit used for? ↗ Related product
- What’s the difference between a top-bearing and a bottom-bearing flush trim bit? ↗ Related product
- Why are spiral flush trim bits considered better than straight flush trim bits? ↗ Related product
- What is a compression flush trim bit? ↗ Related product
- When would I use a flush trim bit with a bearing on both top and bottom? ↗ Related product
- Any tips to avoid tear-out when using flush trim bits on wood? ↗ Related product
- Can I use flush trim bits to trim laminate countertops or veneers? ↗ Related product
- Why does my flush trim bit sometimes burn the wood, and how can I prevent that? ↗ Related product
- How do I choose the right flush trim bit length for my project? ↗ Related product
- Can I use flush trim bits in a router table? ↗ Related product
CNC Accessories
- What is the SpeTool dust collection shroud, and what does it do? ↗ Related product
- Is the dust collection shroud necessary for using the router sled? ↗ Related product
- Will the SpeTool dust shroud fit my router and vacuum hose? ↗ Related product
- How effective is the dust shroud during slab flattening? ↗ Related product
- Is it easy to attach and remove the shroud from the router sled? ↗ Related product
- What material is the dust shroud made of? Is it durable? ↗ Related product
- What are slab clamping dogs, and how do they help in flattening? ↗ Related product
- Do I need to drill holes in my workbench to use the SpeTool clamping dogs? ↗ Related product
- Besides the dust shroud and clamping dogs, what other CNC accessories does SpeTool offer? ↗ Related product
Router Bit Sets
- What comes in a typical SpeTool CNC router bit set? ↗ Related product
- Are SpeTool router bit sets a good value compared to buying bits individually? ↗ Related product
- Which SpeTool bit set is best for a beginner just getting into CNC routing? ↗ Related product
- Do SpeTool sets come with a case or storage box? ↗ Related product
- Are the bits in SpeTool’s sets the same quality as the ones sold individually? ↗ Related product
- Do they offer different sets for different applications (e.g. wood vs aluminum, or sign-making, etc.)? ↗ Related product
- If I break or wear out one bit from a set, can I replace it individually? ↗ Related product
- I noticed some SpeTool sets have TAC coating on the bits – what is that? ↗ Related product
- Does SpeTool have a recommendation for feeds and speeds for the bits in their sets? ↗ Related product
V-Bits & Engraving
- What is a V-bit (V-groove bit) and what is it used for? ↗ Related product
- Can I carve letters and detailed designs with SpeTool V-bits? ↗ Related product
- What angles of V-bits does SpeTool offer, and when would I use each? ↗ Related product
- Are SpeTool’s V-bits solid carbide and do they have special coatings? ↗ Related product
- Can I use a V-bit to chamfer edges or do I need a special chamfer bit? ↗ Related product
- What materials can I carve with SpeTool engraving bits? Only wood? ↗ Related product
- Do I need to do anything special to set up a V-bit in my CNC software (for V-carving)? ↗ Related product
- How do I prevent my V-bit from breaking the fine tip? ↗ Related product
Metal Cutting Bits
- Can I use my CNC router (or router) to cut aluminum with SpeTool bits? ↗ Related product
- What is an O-flute bit and when should I use one? ↗ Related product
- How do I avoid the aluminum chips from sticking or welding onto the bit? ↗ Related product
- Do I need to use any lubricant or coolant when cutting metal with SpeTool bits? ↗ Related product
- Does SpeTool make bits for cutting steel or other hard metals? ↗ Related product
- What’s the best SpeTool bit for cutting acrylic and plexiglass without melting? ↗ Related product
- Is there a difference between router bits for metal and regular end mills used in CNC mills? ↗ Related product
- Any tips for feeds and speeds when using SpeTool bits on aluminum? ↗ Related product
