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Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels

Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels
Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels
Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels
Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels
Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter 18mm for Aluminium Composite Panels
  • Brand: FESTOOL
  • Model: FES491443
  • Weight: 0.08kg
  • Dim: 102 mm x 53 mm x 53 mm
  • UPC: 4014549008447
Price:
R 3,013.00
Ex VAT: R 2,620.00

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Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) Carbide V-Groove Cutter

At a Glance: Special-purpose 18 mm carbide-tipped V-groove router bit with a precise 135° cutting angle and 8 mm shank, designed specifically for machining and preparing aluminium composite panels for clean, accurate folding.

The Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) is a precision V-groove cutter developed specifically for machining aluminium composite panels. Instead of treating aluminium composite material like ordinary sheet material, this specialist router bit creates a controlled 135° groove that prepares the panel for accurate folding and edge formation. Its carbide-tipped cutting edges provide the durability required for machining the aluminium outer layers and composite core, while the precisely defined cutter geometry helps produce clean, repeatable grooves. With an 18 mm cutter diameter, compact 3.30 mm cutting length, 59 mm overall length and standard Festool 8 mm shank, the cutter is designed for controlled routing with a suitable router and guide rail. It is an excellent specialist accessory for fabricators, sign makers, shopfitters, interior installers and tradespeople working with aluminium composite panels where neat folded edges and accurately positioned grooves are essential.

Designed specifically for folding aluminium composite panels

Aluminium composite panels can be shaped into clean folded edges by routing a precisely positioned groove into the back of the panel while retaining the required outer layer. The HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) is engineered specifically for this process, producing a 135° groove that allows the prepared composite panel to be folded accurately. Used with a suitable Festool router and guide rail, it provides the control needed for straight, repeatable folding grooves.

Product highlights

  • Specialist aluminium composite cutter: Designed specifically for machining aluminium composite panel materials.
  • 135° V-groove: Produces a precisely defined 135° groove for preparing composite panels for folding.
  • 18 mm cutter diameter: Compact cutting geometry designed around the specialised panel-folding application.
  • Carbide-tipped cutting edges: Provides the durability required when machining aluminium-faced composite materials.
  • 3.30 mm cutting length: Purpose-designed shallow cutting geometry for controlled groove production in composite panels.
  • 59 mm overall length: Provides a compact and stable cutter configuration for precision routing.
  • 8 mm shank: Fits compatible Festool routers equipped with the correct 8 mm collet.
  • Clean folding preparation: Creates the controlled groove required to form neat folded panel edges.
  • Guide-rail routing: Festool recommends using the cutter together with a suitable router and guide rail for precise straight grooves.
  • Professional carbide construction: Durable HW cutting material supports reliable performance in demanding aluminium composite applications.
  • Repeatable results: Precise cutter geometry makes it suitable for fabrication work where multiple matching folds are required.
  • Purpose-made rather than improvised: Provides a dedicated solution for aluminium composite routing instead of relying on general-purpose wood-routing cutters.

Product Compatibility

  • Festool routers with an 8 mm collet: Suitable for compatible Festool routers capable of securely clamping an 8 mm router-bit shank.
  • Festool guide rail system: A suitable guide rail is recommended for accurately positioning and guiding long folding grooves.
  • Aluminium composite panels: Specifically designed for routing 135° grooves in suitable aluminium composite panel materials.

Important application note: Festool specifies this as a special router cutter for aluminium composite materials. A suitable router and guide rail are also required for the intended panel-folding application. Correct routing depth must be established for the specific panel construction before machining the finished workpiece.

Extra Information

  • What does HW mean? HW is Festool's designation for carbide cutting material. The carbide-tipped cutting edges provide increased wear resistance and durability compared with conventional high-speed steel in this demanding application.
  • What does S8 mean? S8 identifies the router bit's 8 mm shank diameter. The router must be fitted with a compatible 8 mm collet.
  • What does D18 mean? D18 specifies the nominal 18 mm cutter diameter.
  • What does 135° mean? The cutting geometry produces a V-shaped groove with a nominal angle of 135°. This geometry is specifically designed for preparing aluminium composite panels for folding.
  • What does (Alu) mean? The Alu designation identifies this cutter as a specialist tool for machining aluminium composite materials rather than a conventional woodworking V-groove cutter.
  • What does NL mean? NL is the working or cutting length of the router bit. On this cutter it is 3.30 mm.
  • What does GL mean? GL is the overall length of the cutter. The HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) has an overall length of 59 mm.
  • Why is the cutting length so short? This is not a general-purpose deep V-groove cutter. Its geometry is specifically designed to machine the controlled shallow groove required in suitable aluminium composite panels.
  • Why use a guide rail? The folding line in a composite panel needs to remain straight and accurately positioned. Guiding the router along a rail provides far greater repeatability than attempting to follow a marked line freehand.
  • Routing depth is critical: Aluminium composite panels typically consist of aluminium outer skins surrounding a core material. The groove must be routed to the correct depth for the specific panel so that the required remaining layer is preserved for folding.
  • Always make a test groove: Panel thickness and construction can vary between manufacturers. A test cut in an offcut is strongly recommended before machining a finished panel.
How routing makes an aluminium composite panel foldable

The cutter removes material from the rear of the composite panel along the intended fold line. By leaving the required portion of the panel structure intact, the sheet can then be folded along the routed groove. This allows clean corners and three-dimensional shapes to be produced without cutting the panel completely into separate pieces. Accurate depth adjustment is therefore just as important as accurate lateral positioning of the groove.

Pro Tips

  • Always make a trial groove in an offcut of the exact aluminium composite panel being used before machining the finished component.
  • Measure the actual panel thickness rather than relying solely on its nominal specification. Small differences can affect the ideal routing depth.
  • Set the router depth carefully so the cutter removes the required rear aluminium layer and core without unnecessarily damaging the outer face that forms the fold.
  • Use a guide rail whenever possible. A perfectly straight routing groove produces a much cleaner and more predictable fold.
  • Clamp or secure both the guide rail and panel so neither can move while routing.
  • Use a smooth, continuous feed rate. Stopping for too long in one position may generate excessive heat or leave an irregular groove.
  • Do not force the router. Let the carbide cutting edges work at a controlled feed rate.
  • Use effective extraction to remove chips and composite material from the routing path and maintain good visibility.
  • Inspect the carbide edges regularly. A dull cutter increases heat and can reduce the quality of the groove.
  • Keep the cutter clean. Aluminium and composite residue adhering to the cutting edges can affect cutting performance.
  • When producing a series of matching panels, make the depth setting and guide-rail position repeatable before starting production.
  • Check the desired final fold on a sample piece first. The required groove configuration depends on the panel system and final geometry.
  • Do not substitute a similarly angled woodworking cutter unless it is specifically approved for the aluminium composite material being machined.

How to Use

  • Confirm that the workpiece is a suitable aluminium composite panel and determine the manufacturer's recommended routing and folding procedure.
  • Disconnect the router from its power supply before fitting the cutter.
  • Inspect the HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) cutter for damaged, chipped or excessively worn cutting edges.
  • Install a suitable 8 mm collet in the compatible router.
  • Insert the 8 mm cutter shank sufficiently into the collet while observing the router manufacturer's minimum insertion requirements.
  • Tighten the collet securely according to the router operating instructions.
  • Measure the composite panel and establish the required routing depth for the folding groove.
  • Perform a test groove in an offcut of the same panel material.
  • Inspect the test groove and folding behaviour, then fine-adjust the routing depth if necessary.
  • Mark the required folding line on the finished workpiece.
  • Position and secure a suitable Festool guide rail to guide the router accurately along the line.
  • Support and secure the panel so it cannot move during routing.
  • Connect suitable dust and chip extraction where possible.
  • Start the router and allow it to reach operating speed before entering the material.
  • Guide the router smoothly along the guide rail at a steady, controlled feed rate.
  • Complete the groove without stopping unnecessarily along the cutting path.
  • Switch off the router and allow the cutter to stop completely before lifting or adjusting the machine.
  • Inspect and clean the routed groove before carefully folding the panel according to the material manufacturer's instructions.

Features

  • 135° cutter angle: Precision-ground geometry produces the specialised groove required for aluminium composite panel folding.
  • Carbide-tipped construction: Durable carbide cutting edges are suitable for the demanding aluminium-faced composite material.
  • 18 mm cutter diameter: Designed specifically around the required V-groove geometry.
  • 3.30 mm cutting length: Short working length supports precise and controlled grooving.
  • 59 mm overall length: Compact geometry supports stable routing.
  • 8 mm cylindrical shank: Compatible with suitable 8 mm router collets.
  • Specialised ALU application: Developed specifically for aluminium composite panel machining.
  • Guide-rail compatible application: Designed to be used in a guided routing setup for accurate straight grooves.

Benefits

  • Accurate panel folding: The purpose-designed 135° geometry creates a consistent groove from which the composite panel can be folded neatly.
  • Clean professional edges: Precision routing produces a controlled folding line that helps create tidy finished panel edges.
  • Long cutter life: Carbide-tipped cutting edges withstand the abrasive and metallic components of aluminium composite material better than unsuitable general-purpose cutters.
  • Repeatable fabrication: When used with a guide rail and correctly set routing depth, the cutter supports consistent grooves across multiple panels.
  • Straight, controlled routing: Guide-rail use helps maintain an accurate groove position over long workpieces.
  • Efficient panel fabrication: Routing and folding allows three-dimensional forms and clean edges to be created from flat composite sheet.
  • Dedicated Festool solution: The cutter geometry is designed specifically for the aluminium composite folding process rather than adapted from an ordinary woodworking bit.
  • Professional versatility: Well suited to signage, display, interior-fitting, cladding and fabrication applications involving aluminium composite sheet.

Application

  • Routing 135° grooves in aluminium composite panels.
  • Preparing composite panels for folding.
  • Producing clean folded panel edges.
  • Fabricating aluminium composite signs and displays.
  • Shopfitting and exhibition construction.
  • Interior architectural panel fabrication.
  • Furniture and display-panel construction using aluminium composite materials.
  • Cladding and decorative composite-panel fabrication.
  • Accurate straight grooving using a router and guide rail.
  • Repeat-production panel folding where consistent groove geometry is required.

Safety

  • Always disconnect the router from its power supply before fitting, removing, cleaning or inspecting the router bit.
  • Wear suitable eye protection, hearing protection and appropriate respiratory protection while routing aluminium composite material.
  • Use the cutter only in a compatible router equipped with the correct 8 mm collet.
  • Make sure the router bit shank is inserted and securely clamped according to the router manufacturer's instructions.
  • Inspect the carbide cutting edges before use and do not operate a cutter that is cracked, chipped, bent or otherwise damaged.
  • Secure the aluminium composite panel firmly before routing.
  • Secure the guide rail so it cannot move during the cut.
  • Follow the aluminium composite panel manufacturer's recommendations for groove geometry, remaining material thickness and folding procedures.
  • Never set the routing depth solely by assumption. Test the setup on an offcut of the actual panel material first.
  • Use suitable extraction to remove chips and dust generated during machining.
  • Be aware that aluminium chips and composite dust may have different handling and disposal requirements from ordinary wood dust.
  • Maintain a steady feed rate and never force or twist the router sideways during the cut.
  • Do not exceed the maximum permissible rotational speed of the router bit.
  • Keep hands and loose clothing clear of the cutter and routing path.
  • Allow the cutter to reach operating speed before contacting the workpiece.
  • Allow the cutter to stop completely before lifting the router, changing settings or inspecting the groove.
  • Do not touch the cutter immediately after heavy routing because the cutting edges and body may be hot.
  • Read and follow the Festool router, cutter and aluminium composite material manufacturer's safety instructions before use.

Specifications

Description Spec
BrandFestool
Cat No.FES491443
Festool Order No.491443
Product TypeV-Groove Cutter for Aluminium Composite Panels
ModelHW S8 D18-135° (Alu)
Cutting MaterialCarbide-Tipped (HW)
Cutter Diameter (D)18.00 mm
Cutting Length (NL)3.30 mm
Overall Length (GL)59.00 mm
Groove Angle (Alpha)135°
Shank Diameter (s)8 mm
Shank TypeCylindrical
Primary MaterialAluminium Composite Panels
Primary ApplicationRouting Folding Grooves in Aluminium Composite Material
Recommended GuidanceSuitable Router with Guide Rail
Quantity1 Piece

Scope of Delivery:

  • 1 x Festool HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) carbide-tipped V-groove cutter
Tags: Festool , HW S8 D18-135° (Alu) , V-Groove Cutter , 135° V-Groove , Aluminium Composite , Aluminium Composite Panel , ACM Panel , Panel Folding , Routing Cutter , Carbide Cutter , 18mm Cutter , 8mm Shank , Composite Panel Routing , Folding Groove , Guide Rail Routing , Shopfitting , Sign Making , Panel Fabrication
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