Comprehensive Guide for Choosing a Helical Cutterhead

There are three types of cutterheads for your planers and jointers: helical, spiral, and straight. They are all designed to achieve a clean and smooth finish on the wood surface. Among them, the helical cutterhead performs best, and most woodworkers will pay for it, even though it’s relatively expensive.

Investing in a helical cutterhead can upgrade your jointer/planer for better cutting performance, reduced noise and vibration, and cost savings. Read this post to learn the key factors you should consider when choosing a helical cutterhead.

Considerations for choosing a Helical Cutterhead

This section shows you several key considerations for selecting the right helical cutterhead for your jointer/planer.

Compatibility

The first thing you need to consider is whether the helical cutterhead is compatible with your jointer/planer. Please carefully check the specifications and user manual provided by the machine manufacturer to confirm the model and size of the compatible helical cutterhead.

Material

When it comes to material selection, there are two key factors to consider: the material of the inserts (cutting edge) and the workpiece. These two factors are closely interrelated, as different workpiece materials require cutting edges made from various materials to achieve optimal performance.

For the materials of inserts, there are two types: high-speed steel (HSS) and carbide. The carbide indexable inserts are the most common and are the preferred choice for most people. They are harder and more durable than high-speed steel, producing a smoother surface.

As for wood, there are two types: softwood and hardwood. If you are working with softwood, the HSS insert is a great choice, especially when you don’t need to process large-scale projects. When dealing with hardwoods, blade wear is a significant concern. If large-scale processing is needed, it is best to choose carbide blades with higher hardness and better wear resistance.

Cutting Performance

The cutting capacity of a helical cutterhead is determined by various factors, such as its size, the number of rows, helix angle, and the size and number of inserts. When selecting the optimal cutterhead, compatibility with the machine must also be considered.

A helical cutter head with a small helix angle is suitable for processing softer woods that require high efficiency. A large helix angle results in a smoother cutting process with reduced impact force, making it more suitable for processing hardwoods or projects with high surface finish requirements.

The number of inserts directly affects the number of cuts per unit length. The more blades, the smoother the surface. However, it also affects the price of the cutter head, so it is necessary to make a decision based on actual needs.

Budget

You may think that a helical cutterhead is expensive and decide not to upgrade your machine. However, the fact is that it only has an expensive initial purchase price. Its subsequent maintenance costs are very low, and it reduces your long-term expenses. Therefore, choose one helical cutterhead based on your requirements and budget.

When one side of the blade is worn or damaged, simply loosen the blade with a screwdriver and switch to the intact side to use as the cutting edge. If all four sides are worn, just buy new inserts for replacement. Fortunately, the inserts are cheap.

Also Read: Pro Tips for Maintaining Your Helical Cutterhead

Brand and Warranty

The manufacturer's brand and reputation are also critical. It is generally recommended to choose helical cutterheads from well-known brands, as they have stricter control over production processes and quality. You can review customer comments and feedback to assess the performance and durability of the product.

One last thing, check whether the manufacturer offers a warranty and after-sales service for the helical cutterhead. A warranty ensures the manufacturer's confidence in their product and protects you from potential defects or issues.

Parting Shot

All in all, choosing a suitable helical cutterhead involves considering five factors: compatibility, material, cutting performance, your budget, brand, and warranty. Surely, upgrading the cutter head to a helical one will improve your work quality and efficiency.

FindBuyTool offers helical cutterheads for your planer/jointer with high-quality square carbide inserts. Our affordable helical cutterheads produce a smooth and clean finish, low noise, small chips, and save your maintenance costs. If you cannot find a cutter head for your planers or jointers, we also provide an option for a custom cutter head.

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FAQ About Choosing a Helical Cutterhead

#1. Are helical cutter heads worth it?

Yes, it’s worth investing in. The helical cutter head produces less noise and vibration, making it last longer. Although it is expensive, it allows you to work more efficiently and does not require much maintenance.

#2. What is better, a helical or spiral cutterhead?

To be honest, that depends on the individual. In my opinion, a helical cutterhead is better. It can create a smoother finish with less noise and vibration.

#3. What are the different types of cutterheads?

There are three different types of cutterheads: helical, spiral, and straight. They are all designed to achieve a clean and smooth finish on the wood surface.

Related Read:

Helical vs Straight Cutterhead: Which One Do You Choose

Spiral vs. Helical Cutterhead: Essential Differences You Should Know