Calculating Feeds and Speeds A Practical Guide | Wood CNC Router 

The best explanation on chip load I've encountered to date.

Mate, I ripped straight in after watching this video and it felt like my machine has transformed. Thanks from Australia!

Man this is exactly what I have been looking for!!! Power is truth and knowledge!!! You saved the day!!!! Thank you!!! Chris

I couldn't thank you more for this video. I own a shapeoko 3 XXL with an 800W water-cooled spindle and since I follow your advices on wood/mdf I "see the light" and understand how to work properly. Seriously RU-vid is full of incorrect advice on machining, you and others convinced me that so-called "aggressive" feed-rates are not agressive, but actually the correct way to go for the tool and the material. You've changed my perspective, thanks!

More than 6 months later finally stumbled on your channel. Great informative video. Thank you.

Best ever beginner intro to feeds and speeds - PLEASE give us a metric version of this. Many thanks.

This was great. I have ask many of CNC operaters about feed and speed. This has answered many of my questions. Thanks for the information. Keep the videos coming.

This is what I've been trying to find. Found a bunch of internet gurus on forums being dicks and all they had to say is what you just did. Thanks for being helpful.

Just watched four of your videos. Best down to earth, nuts and bolts information in an easy to understand format. Great job.

I have spent a lot of time today watching videos to help me understand this only to still be confused. Thanks for making it simple to get. I wish I just started and ended with your video!

Down to earth and still gets the nuance/importance of everything across. I built my own hobbyist machine, and this plus your other videos have been so helpful on determining limits in how to run it and consider upgrades. So glad I found your channel, thanks!

Nice work!! A few years ago I rebuilt an old 1962 Shopsmith lathe. When I turned it on at the lowest speed I thought it was going crazy fast. I chucked a 8" diameter small log into it and when it spun up all the bark flew straight off. I just stood back and watched it for a few minutes. Over time I gained confidence in the ability of the machine to take the vibration and ended up running it faster and faster. I just built a CNC and playing with the different ways to create and feed it g-code. Like any other hobby the internet is mostly full of bullshit sales pitches or Pinterest, Etsy garbage. I know exactly what I am going to do. I made screen shots of the information you presented. I will make a spreadsheet that works and put it on google drive. In fact all of the information I am gathering is going there once I parse it all out and sort through the good vs bad. It makes sense to run a machine slow at first. You want to be sure it is mechanically sound. After that.... I want to know how fast I can push it. Why waste time if you don't have to!! Thanks for making the video!!

Bro thank you so much you made this so much simpler for me all these other videos just made me want some pie with all the math they were talking about

Finally found a video that explains this confusing part of it all. Thanks my friend!

Exactly what I have been looking for, simple explanation based in the reality of working with wood on a small CNC! Thanks for sharing the spreadsheet too.

This was very informative. Nice to get input from a professional. Thank you.

Thanks for the, easy to follow, explanation. This has explained a lot as to why I’m using up 1/4” bits on my hobby CNC machine.

Terrific, thanks for the education. Couple of follow-up questions. Thanks again for you concise, hi-energy, and efficient effort...much appreciated.

Awesome video. This actually made a lot of sense to me. I'm looking into my first CNC so I have taken a screen shot of your chart and will definitely take it into account.

Loving this channel! Finally someone who speaks my language. Keep it up brother!!

Good info. I have a large 48 by 96 CNC but who ever built it thought it was a good idea to but a 400 watt Spindle in it. I run 1/8" bit at little over 1/4" and speed of 72 which seems to work well. My stepper are a little small and are direct drive, not sure i could even get 100 IPM. I will have to do some tests to see what it is capable today.

Terrific explanation - this is helpful and exposed a fundamental flaw in my thinking. I have a Laguna IQ because several people recognized this as a strong entry level CNC and claimed it could do everything the larger footprint CNCs could do, just couldn't handle large sheets of plywood. After two of your videos in the last two days, the one on different types of CNCs I realize I have been sadly mistaken. Key lessons I learned from your videos: 1. I mostly use 1/4 inch bits, but when I had an option I would buy 1/2 inch bits because I read somewhere these were better to use in routers and CNCs (opps) 2. When my Laguna would make lot's of noise while cutting, I was slowing down the feedrate. whenever i was concerned about overheating the bit (1/4 ' mostly) i would slow down the feedrate - not increase it. Need to rethink my approach - I wonder how much damage I am doing to the Amana Bits i have been buying. Thanks still catching up with your information - very helpful. Double thumbs up from me. i realize how long this video production takes - I sure hope it starts paying back for you. With your other business this has got to be tough to manage.

Found your channel via Andy And am sure I am going to learn a lot here!!!

This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I toasted 3 1/4" bits by going too slow thinking I was helping the bit out.

i just got my cnc yesterday. this was opposite of what I thought I was supposed to do. Thanks so much. luckily I haven't cut anything yet.

Wow... seriously i read a lot on that.. And you make it very clear ! Congrats !!

It's been a while but this video is still very useful today. congratulations, my cnc is small 1000mm x 800mm with 315oz motors 1605 spindle, I did a test flattening the sacrifice table at 6000mm/min really when the machine can cut within those parameters mentioned by you, it's another level although 6000mm/min was the maximum I could at the moment. here in Brazil homemade machines make a lot of dust 🤭 today I managed to make some grains, and it gets a lot less dirty.

Quite an informational video! Thanks to this i was able to do my very first PVC cut perfectly

Thank you for the video. When you were showing the charts I was confused on how you got your feed rate and chip load. I’m using a cheap 3018 cnc and I’m brand new to this. Thx.

OMG, this is the best explain in whole youtube, so simply explain so sophisticated and suptile thing in CNC machining. Thank you very much.

Thank you for the video. May I suggest in your excel sheet to colour code your answers based on ranges of input. If the 1/8 bit is used, hardwood is used, enter feed rate, rpm, number of flutes. If the answer is below the range, show the number and colour the box into pink. If within range, it is green. If above the range it becomes red. This way you can see if parameters are checking out or not. In the current setup, the answer requires referencing, that can create an error.

By far the best explanation of chip load that I have heard! Well done

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to explain it in the manner that you did.

Great video, thanks for sharing. Being unfamiliar with excel just need to work out how to add formulas to get the required chip loads, speeds and feeds.

I definitely left this video with more knowledge than when I started. Thank you very much, I think you have just helped me save a small fortune in broken bits and damaged materials 👍

Nice. Thanks for that! Looking forward to more videos in the future!👍😁 Oh, and don't forget single flute bits for the small routers that can't move fast enough for the feed speeds required for a twin flute!

Thank you so much I'm new to CNC and this explains why it smells like burning wood in my shop :) I was doing everything opposite to what I'm supposed to be running at for my machine.

Thanks for a great video. Finailly understand Chip Load, Feed Rate etc. I have an X-Carve 750 that I bought in 2016 and havn't used for awhile. I did download your spreadsheet and modified it for my situation. I never use bits over 1/4" and go as small as 1/32". I did a calibration test carve yesterday and finally have it dialed in. Definatly making chips not dust now. PS I fided the spelling error in the spreadsheet too. Thanks again and I am now a subscriber

Wow, that was eye opening. I am going try this and see if my bit and material survives.

I have a laguna IQ and this video is just what i needed to set my speeds and feeds. I like the part about reading the chip that is super helpful. A video about how to hold down the wood and various fixturing would be a video i would like to see. Thanks your channel is always helpful and you are a great teacher

Great video! Very informative. Love the catchphrase at the end.

Thank you for a great video. Finally getting to understand this. One thing this video fails to explain though (I think?) is if the chip load in relation to tool diameter and material always is the same? Bits come with different designs, materials, coatings etc that seem to add a lot of complexity to this topic. Can I still use this chart for anything? Also as a beginner I'm a little confused to why these charts rarely seem to mention wood and metals at the same time? It's usually either one or the other. Is there something I need to consider? Thank you!

I am a tool and die maker, you nailed it. Great job and best explanation I have ever heard.

Amazing, saw on many other videos and sources to slow down the cutting for a better finish. Didn't think to go faster! Guess its kind of like flying, better to be moving fast or you stall out!

The hand and sawdust presentation is a perfect way to explain proper cutting. Haha

Great instructional video. Thanks for sharing!

The second I saw the spreadsheet you got the Sub&Like!! lol. THANK YOU!

Brilliant video and thank you for the spreadsheet 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Dude! You saved me some grief. Thanks! Getting my first machine soon so that will help with bit selection.

Thanks, very useful. I am new to CNC, and your guide is what I need.

Thank you very much, this really helped me out!

This is a great video. Very helpful and informative. I recently bought a 30"x30" Longmill MK2. I noticed you set your depth per pass at 1x-2x the diameter of the bit. But I recently saw on Xcarve's recommendations that you should only set your depth per pass at 1/2x the diameter of the bit. Do you think this is just a way to try and keep the rates conservative? And would that potentially heat up the bit more like you said and actually make things worse later on? Thanks again for making this content.

Amen. I understand now that playing with the rpm and feed rates as variables you arrive at the recommended average chip load... took a min and serveral beers, but thank you :)

Good afternoon! I am a complete amateur when it comes to CNC and I am studying to expand my knowledge for work. I recently watched a video where you mentioned that chips should not be grainy like a fine dust. I noticed that I am experiencing that issue, and I would like to ask about the recommended RPM for my 2-Flute bits to have. I normally work with Plywood and Melamine wood. I figured I should change my Feed Rate and RPM to get the perfect chip load but I don't know where to begin. For reference, I am learning how to use the Holzher Epicon 7135.

insanely helpful video - thank you for putting this together

Great video and I did dowload your spreadsheet. Both the video and spreadsheet are awesome. I have a Shopsabre Pro 510. I have a great dust collection system however, the flex hose going to the router seems to want to hang up on the air assist. I saw in the video youput a hard pipe coming out of the router I cannt tell if you attached Vac hose to the router inside th epipe or on the top of the pipe. I'm really interested on this design. Can you share it? Thanks again!

Cool.i will try,especially interested to reduce cutting time. I believe I do not go deep enough on my passes.

Awesome buddy, many thanks for all the explanation and the excel! Cheers

Thanks for a great video, much appreciated!

Very nice and valuable video, thanks for it! Also thanks for provided XLS sheet with chiploads! Btw, I use 4 mm bits quite frequently. Can the chipload data for 4 mm bit be simply interpolated from 3 mm and 6 mm chipload data?

This was really helpful! Thanks Ryan.

Excellent display of chip load....well done sir and thank you for the explanation.

Nice simple explanation with real world production examples. Awesome!

Great video. Just what I needed. Many thanks Ryan. Just a quick question. The chart rates the speeds and feed in relation to the bits shalf thickness but what about the cutter sizes. I have a 67mm wide trenchig bit and my cnc struggles with it. I did make the mistake of slowing the cutter down as much as possible. I was getting chatter even though the speeds feed and past depth were were very low. How would you calculate this ?

I already feel more confident to try different settings after this. That chart is super super handy thank you for the time put for this video it really stands out from anything else out there on YT.

Another great video. Thank you.

Thank you, very useful for a beginner

Thanks for the video. This is the info I have been looking for!

Hey this is Saharsh from India. Your videos have really helped me figure out CNC machines and the basics of starting a woodworking company here, specially since this kind of information is not as easily available and you cant always trust machine suppliers. P.S Anyway and I can reach out to you for queries? If it's not too much of an ask?

Great explanation. Thanks for this!

Tanks for the exel!!! its very very very helpfull, Regards!!

Great information. Thanks for sharing your accumulated experience.

Thank you so much, Just what ive been looking for.

Thanks a lot. Now its time to create my own calculation file in metric system. What the heck is inches,galloons etc lol :) Then will compare current speeds. Thanks again! Btw does anything change when i am using vacuum to fix the material? I dont want to go too hard that material moves and dimesions break

Thank you for this information, so freaking cool!

Omg. That is kind of a norme of your company and you shared it. Thank you.

Thanks. That really helped. I have a Onefinity so 1/4 inch is my biggest except for the one inch surfacing bit. Some speeds seem fast but good to hear it from a pro. 😊

I learn a lot from you man:) Thanks you!

This makes the most sense I've seen - THANK YOU and for the spreadsheet! On ramping, @45°, what would you use for the distance? Thanks!

Great video,, thanks for making this. !

Been watching your videos and they have helped more than you would imagine. Really like the chip load chart you provided. Do you know if there is one for smaller bits or do you use the same chip load for 1/8? I would think that would be too much for a 1mm or even 1.5mm. If you could help. Thanks.

Great... I needed this! Great explanation that helped me actually understand! One question about your spreadsheet please. What Spindle horse power does this assume?

Great explanation 👍

Wow that was an amazing video!!!!!!!! I wish I could sit down with you and just talk about this topic. I work for a company as an router operator. I consistently get into discussions about this with upper management. They insist on using 3 flute cutters so we can run faster. Only issue with this is the feed rate for that cutter far exceeds machine capability. Not unless I am figuring things out wrong.

Hey ... excellent video ... but a question ... specifically for cutting with a hobbyist level cnc, into hardwood, with a Vcarve bit (2 flutes, 1/4" shaft) ... you mention to use an 80 IPM feed rate, BUT ... what RPM would I set my spindle to? Does it matter if the bit is 60 vs 90 degrees? Do Vcarve bits have a 'diameter' (that could then be used to calculate chip load)? Thanks! Gary

ty so much, i just realized that i'm doing almost everything wrong!

Do those rules of thumb apply for 1/16" or smaller sized bits as well? I've struggled to find any information regarding speeds and feeds for micro milling.

Thank you for information

Many thanks for the explanation .... when it comes to milling a 3d geometry, does the step over matters when putting numbers in this formula?

If this is true, I have been going way too slow. Thank you for this chart! I will play around with some feeds and speeds.

You give good detail about pass depth but what about stepover?

Your the man. Thanks!

Thank you very much for this incredible video!

Excellent explanation. Thank you. Finally someone who knows how to explain this. I am using a Openbuilds Workbee with a dewalt router and have had a heck of a time figuring out the feeds and speeds knowing the machine it’s self could never run at the required numbers. Do you have the excel sheet you could share?

thanks this is really helpful info

Great job thank you

I really do love this video. Could the excel sheet be modified for the hobbyist? I know you said the chip load would be on the lower side of the ranges you have here - might be helpful for a 2nd tab for hobbyist

it helped me out now to test lol thank you for your time makeing this video

very nice video :) what about ball nose bits? Use chip load as end mils or slightly less?

Ok. so I mainly work with laminated chipboards ,my cnc runs at 5000 mm/min because of the vacuum pump capacity(My boss is not open to investing more money). Anything above and I risk the plate being pushed, especially on smaller plates. I use a two flute 8mm carbide compression bit. Applying this formula I get that the optimal rpm's for the designated chip load is only 6000 rpm's? Also. I would recommend a starting lead into laminated chip boards with a straight plunge. I was trying the ramps and it always chipped of the laminate at the point of entry off the chipboard which was driving me crazy.