Im looking for some tips on making a cool sign

[kp91]

I cant understand why you cant set the cut depth in this tool path.
It looks like the depth is automaticly set?
One sign I did with 4" letters turned out great, it v carved to aprox .25
Then I did a 8" x 14" and the letters just barely came through.

V carve depths are figured by a combination of bit angle and the distance between the 2 vectors you are carving. For example, a 90 degree bit will cut much shallower than a 30 degree bit for the same vector. That is why it is important to play with some different size bits and the same font to see what looks best.

[Daner]

I cant understand why you cant set the cut depth in this tool path.
It looks like the depth is automaticly set?
One sign I did with 4" letters turned out great, it v carved to aprox .25
Then I did a 8" x 14" and the letters just barely came through.

V carve depths are figured by a combination of bit angle and the distance between the 2 vectors you are carving. For example, a 90 degree bit will cut much shallower than a 30 degree bit for the same vector. That is why it is important to play with some different size bits and the same font to see what looks best.

Thanks, that explains it very well.

Im going to order a 30 degree V bit now.
Also a engraving bit for doing a logo on wood.
Any tips on a few engraving bits for this?
My new bit that I havent tried yet is a upcut spiral ball nose - 3/16

Cheers
Danny

[kp91]

I really enjoy Centurion Tool V-Bits.

They are a local company to me, and I've been able to visit their shop and see them made. These bits have done well in Corian and hard woods with no problems.


https://www.centuriontools.com/router-b ... rve%20Bits

I reviewed them on another forum a while back

http://www.routerforums.com/tool-review ... ost1271401

[martin54]

I wouldn't rush out & buy a 30 deg bit just now. If you are using vcarve toolpaths then as has already been explained it will depend on the spacing between the vectors which is going to change as the size of the text changes.
Your best bet is to have a play with the software & see for yourself. The good thing about the toolpath preview is that you can try all sorts of things without it costing you anything but a bit of time
You can try vcarving your text using different angled cutters & decide what bits you would like to buy rather than buy the bits & then find they aren't really suitable for anything you want to do. Just to give you an idea I have engraving bits from 10 degrees up to 130 degrees with flats ranging from 0.1mm up to 3mm.

Not sure if you have used your 1/4" tapered ballnose yet but that again will depend on what size you are wanting to carve the 3D models. On small models with lots of detail a 1/4" ballnose is going to be to big for a finishing cut because it can't machine the detail required

[Daner]

I wouldn't rush out & buy a 30 deg bit just now. If you are using vcarve toolpaths then as has already been explained it will depend on the spacing between the vectors which is going to change as the size of the text changes.
Your best bet is to have a play with the software & see for yourself. The good thing about the toolpath preview is that you can try all sorts of things without it costing you anything but a bit of time
You can try vcarving your text using different angled cutters & decide what bits you would like to buy rather than buy the bits & then find they aren't really suitable for anything you want to do. Just to give you an idea I have engraving bits from 10 degrees up to 130 degrees with flats ranging from 0.1mm up to 3mm.

Not sure if you have used your 1/4" tapered ballnose yet but that again will depend on what size you are wanting to carve the 3D models. On small models with lots of detail a 1/4" ballnose is going to be to big for a finishing cut because it can't machine the detail required

I did use the ball nose bit today
It's actually 3/16" but still probably a tad to big for fine details
I used it to 3D carve the Arabian dished horse in the Clip art folder
I was amazed to see that being carved on my 4x8
I will try that tool preview with different bits thanks for that tip .

Danny