Best CNC Bits for 3018 CNC (2026): 5 Compared

Specs compared

Bit details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

Buying guide: the best cnc bits for 3018 cnc

Match the shank to the collet

The FoxAlien and IDGGDI are 1/8 in shank, the SpeTool is 1/4 in shank, and the F.L.S is 3.175mm. The HOZLY states no shank in this roundup’s data. A 3018 CNC typically ships with a 1/8 in collet, so check the collet before ordering a 1/4 in bit.

Pick the flute for the material

The SpeTool is downcut, which suits clean top surfaces in wood. The HOZLY is single flute O flute, which suits acrylic, PVC, MDF and wood. Downcut pushes chips down; upcut pulls them up. Pick the flute that matches the material.

Choose V bits for engraving

The IDGGDI set has 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degree V bits with a 0.1mm tip, and the F.L.S set has 10, 15, 20 and 30 degree bits with a 0.1mm tip. Narrower angles suit fine detail; wider angles suit bold letters. A 0.1mm tip suits crisp lines.

Consider a kit

The FoxAlien kit includes triangular engraving bits, spiral end mills, 2-flute flat nose and ball nose end mills. A kit suits a beginner who cuts many materials. Single-purpose bits suit a maker who knows the job.

Check the count

The F.L.S has 20 pieces, the IDGGDI has 10, and the HOZLY has 5. Bits wear and break, so a multi-pack suits a busy shop. A single bit suits a trial cut.

Check the collet size

A 3018 CNC ships with a 1/8 in collet, and some ship with a 1/4 in collet too. The listings here state the shank for four of the five bits, so match the bit to the collet before ordering. A bit that does not fit the collet is a bit you return.

Check the feed rate

Small bits need slow feeds, and a 3018 has limited rigidity. The listings here state no feed guidance in this roundup’s data, so start slow and listen for chatter before pushing the speed. A bit that chatters is a bit that breaks.

Check the depth of cut

The 5/16 in cutting length of the HOZLY limits the pass depth, and V bits cut shallow by design. The listings here state no depth guidance in this roundup’s data, so take light passes and let the bit work. Deep passes snap small bits.

Read the coating before you compare

Only two listings talk about coating. The SpeTool states its coating gives up to 2.5 times the life of an uncoated bit, plus a sturdy, sharp, smooth cut, and the FoxAlien kit is listed as coated. The F.L.S set is uncoated carbide. A coating claim is the maker’s claim, so read it as stated rather than as a result, but it is a concrete differentiator: if you cut a lot of hardwood or MDF, the coated SpeTool or the coated FoxAlien kit is the data-backed pick over an uncoated set. The other listings state no coating at all.

Let the cutting length set the pass depth

Cutting length caps how deep each pass can go. The SpeTool states a 1/2 in cutting length on a 2 in overall length, while the HOZLY states a 5/16 in (8mm) cutting length on a 1-1/2 in (38mm) total length. The V bit sets state overall length instead of cutting length: the F.L.S states 30mm total length with a stated plus or minus 1mm, and the IDGGDI pieces state overall lengths of 25mm, 28mm, 29mm and 30mm. If the job needs deep slots, the SpeTool’s 1/2 in cutting length is the longest stated here; V bits cut shallow by design.

Count the flutes

Flute count changes chip evacuation and finish. The HOZLY is a single flute O flute, a shape the listing pairs with acrylic, PVC, MDF and wood; one wide flute clears chips in soft materials. The SpeTool is a 2-flute downcut for grooves, slots, mortises and dados in wood, plywood, laminate, oak and MDF. The IDGGDI is a 3-edge pyramid V bit for engraving. The FoxAlien kit includes 2-flute flat nose and ball nose end mills for carving curved surfaces. Match the flute to the cut: single flute for plastics, downcut two flute for clean wood slots.

Carbide or tungsten steel

The SpeTool, HOZLY, F.L.S and IDGGDI listings state carbide as the material. The FoxAlien kit states tungsten steel, which the listing calls strong and durable with a stable milling performance. The IDGGDI adds that carbide extends service life and resists wear, and the HOZLY cites high abrasion and temperature resistance. Both materials are hard; the practical difference in the listings is that the FoxAlien is the only tungsten steel option here.

Use the angle range for detail work

V bit angle sets line width. The F.L.S set covers 10, 15, 20 and 30 degrees with a 0.1mm cutting edge, the narrowest angles here, which suits fine detail and PCB-style work. The IDGGDI set covers 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees with a 0.1mm tip, and the FoxAlien kit’s triangular engraving bits cover 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees at 0.1mm, with 2 pieces per angle. Narrower angles suit crisp fine lines; wider angles suit bold letters and sign making, which the IDGGDI listing names directly.

Slow down for downcut chip removal

Downcut bits push chips down into the cut, which is why they leave clean top surfaces but need help clearing waste. The HOZLY listing says it directly: when cutting dados or grooves with a downcut bit, slow the feed rate to allow more time for chip removal. That guidance pairs with the bit’s stated uses: shallow dados, rabbets and visible slots. The SpeTool is also downcut, for smooth downcut grooves, slots, mortises and dados. On a 3018 with limited rigidity, a slower feed on a downcut bit beats a snapped bit.

Kit for learning, focused sets for known jobs

The FoxAlien kit is stated suitable for CNC beginners, and its spec table counts 40 items, with triangular engraving bits at 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees plus spiral, flat nose and ball nose end mills. A kit covers engraving, drilling, milling, cutting and carving across hardwood, plywood, acrylic, plastic fiber, resin and PCB without buying each bit separately. Once the job is known, a focused set wins: 20 pieces of F.L.S V bits for fine engraving, 10 pieces of IDGGDI V bits for lettering, or 5 HOZLY O flutes as spares for acrylic work.

How the scores add up

The CNC Score weighs the shank, the type, the count and the angles. The FoxAlien kit covers all purposes; the SpeTool downcut has extra long life coating; the HOZLY O flute comes in a pack of 5. None of the five state a warranty or certification. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Which bit for a 3018 CNC?

1/8 in shank bits; check the collet first.

Which is the kit?

The FoxAlien: all purpose kit.

Which for engraving?

The IDGGDI or F.L.S V bit sets.

Which for acrylic?

The HOZLY: single flute O flute.

Do any state a warranty?

No: none of the five state a warranty in this roundup’s data.

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