Is A Spiral Cutterhead Worth the Upgrade? Key Factors to Consider

Just because spiral cutterheads are popular doesn’t mean you should replace a perfectly functional cutterhead—especially when the cost can be nearly as much as the machine itself. Before making the switch, consider the following:

How Often You Use the Machine – If you’re a hobbyist who only uses the machine occasionally, upgrading to a spiral cutterhead may not be necessary. Traditional cutterheads can still perform well with proper maintenance.

Blade Sharpening & Setup Time – Sharpening and resetting straight knives typically takes about an hour. If this downtime isn’t a concern for you, there’s little need to invest in a spiral cutterhead.

Noise Reduction – Spiral cutterheads are about 10–12 decibels quieter. If noise isn’t a major issue in your workspace, this benefit may not be significant enough to justify the upgrade.

Surface Finish & Sanding – Spiral cutterheads produce a smoother finish and can reduce sanding work by up to two-thirds. However, if you’re comfortable with your current sanding process, this advantage may not be compelling enough to make the change.

Dust Extraction – Spiral cutterheads create much smaller chips, improving dust collection efficiency. But if you haven’t experienced issues with clogs or poor extraction, there’s no urgent need to replace your existing cutterhead.

Ultimately, upgrading to a spiral cutterhead depends on your specific needs. If none of these factors significantly impact your workflow, sticking with your current cutterhead is a practical and cost-effective choice.