[Gooserider]

I appreciate the many replies, it looks like the concensus responses are:

1. What kind of bits should I be using? Carbide, Cobalt, HSS in that order of preference, with a strong margin for Carbide. Also a couple recomendations for 2 or 3 flutes instead of 4.

2. How fast should I be turning them? Keep the RPMs @ 3K, since I can't get any faster.

3. How fast should I be moving the table? Probably about the same since I can't go slower.

4. What depth of cut should I use? Big concensus on this one for going shallower. General recomendation was for about .0625"

5. Any other suggestions? Suck the bit up in the collet.

Well, I just got some new 2-flute Cobalt bits, 3/16" shank, w an assortment of 1/8", 3/8" and 3/4" length of cuts. (MSC is neat, stuff I order shows up the next day) and I've got some bids in on carbide bits on E-bay.

I'll keep the RPM and table feeds the same for now, but reduce my depth of cut to .040" (I use .040" increments by choice since that is what the Smithy's downfeed dial is calibrated in)

I can't significantly suck the higher into the collet, though I understand the reason for wanting to do so. If I tried, I'd miss the setscrew flat on the bit. As the bits I'm using have larger shanks than the cut width, I'm not sure how much good it would do in any case as the taper is just about flush with the end of the collet already.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, I will keep folks posted as to how things work out.

Gooserider