Infinity Engineering

Ever wonder what type of steel is used to make an Infinity Tools bit? How about the Carbide?

Here is some general information on some of the particulars from an engineering standpoint. This topic can get complicated, and therefore is not designed to answer all questions, or provide in depth specifics on our engineering or manufacturing processes.

*Please note: Information taken is general product information and specifications, and is not necessarily taken from our current or former suppliers.

COLD FINISHED BARS
Cold Finished Bars are produced from Hot Rolled Special Bar Quality material. This material is then cold drawn, turned, or ground to produce the Cold Finished Bar. Because the cross sectional area of the Hot Rolled Bar is cold reduced, the Cold Finished Bar has closer tolerances, smoother surface, improved machinability, and increased mechanical properties over the Hot Rolled Bar Product.

Fatigueproof® Steel – A high manganese, resulphurized steel;“Elevated Temperature Drawn” process produces higher strength levels, yet maintains machinability with minimum distortion.

What's All This Carbide Talk..

The US Industry Code (C-2, C-4, etc.) ratings system needs to be understood before making purchasing decisions based on this alone.

There seems to be industry wide inconsistencies regarding this rating system. While we do not claim to be carbide specialist, we do have a good example of how carbide ratings can become confusing.

We have two charts listed from two major US carbide suppliers. While Infinity Tools advertises a C-4 Micrograin Carbide cutting surface, different manufactures can call the same carbide by a different name.

For example, in chart #1 the gray bar indicates Infinity bits would have a C-4 US Industry Code, while Chart #2 indicates Infinity bits would have a C-2 US Industry Code.

So how can you know what we are actually buying? It's a good question with a complicated answer.

With all the proprietary secrets and marketing names put on carbide these days the only way to accurately compare carbide is to compare their actual specifications. (If you can get them)

Carbide is primarily made of Tungsten and Cobalt. Simply, the more Tungsten you have the harder the carbide. Cobalt is the binder in this powdery mixture. (Remember though, the harder the carbide the more brittle it becomes)

Compare the Tungsten (WC) and Cobalt (Co) percentages. Next compare the Transverse Rupture Strength. (TRS) Finally, compare the hardness. (HRA)

If all these are the same you can feel confident you are comparing similar carbide products, and therefore similar cutting surfaces.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. Obviously, the method in which carbide is ground has a great impact on the quality of the cutting surface.

More to the point you can have a high quality carbide that has been inadequately ground resulting in a premium carbide bit that cuts no better than an inexpensive one.

In the end, it is our experience that you look for many of the characteristics of a premium bit, (type of carbide, steel, braze, etc.) and try them.

The more experienced you become with different router bits the easier it will be to spot an inferior product regardless of their marketing claims.