Standard tool library

[dryphi]

Hi, new to the forum and relatively new to VCarve.

I am curious if there is a "standard" tool library with a bunch of tools available for download somewhere? I would prefer to just select a tool rather than entering all the information such as feeds and speeds myself. I understand this would vary by material, but because these settings affect virtually everyone that uses VCarve I was hoping there was just a library file for download with a variety of tools available. As a newbie I don't want to enter an incorrect value somewhere and break my tool and/or mess up my part (although I'm sure this will happen, perhaps many times).

Something similar to the following would be quite helpful and make VCarve even easier to use:
https://support.bantamtools.com/hc/en-u ... -and-Feeds
At the bottom under "Sample Feeds and Speeds" are links to library files with tools for each material type.

We are using VCarve Pro ShopBot Edition to generate gcode from SolidWorks 3D models and other files for use on a ShopBot Desktop. I also did not seem to get the clipart library with our version of VCarve.
Thanks

[Adrian]

The software comes with a standard library of tools but all the information apart from the actual size has to be changed to suit your machine. The feeds and speeds vary depending on the machine, material, make of tool, age of tool and other factors so a library from someone else wouldn't be of much use to you.

The feeds and speeds I use for my ShopBot Alpha would most likely stall or even damage your Desktop so you can see there is more to take account of than just the material.

Learning the correct settings for your own setup and tools (usually based on chipload charts) is part of the learning curve of CNC.

[dryphi]

What tools come in the standard library of tools? I feel like a very limited set came with ours.

That's fine, I'm willing to learn, I just want something to start with. The feeds and speeds were just an example, entering the tool geometry etc. is tedious and it would be nice if there was something already there.

[Adrian]

3 end mills, 3 ball noses, 3 v-bits, 2 form tools, 1 engraving bit, 1 drag bit, 1 drill bit. All in metric and imperial.

I bet the number of tools you think you will use is nowhere near the amount you actually will. When I first started using the software back in 2006 I spent hours setting up every tool I owned in the database. 11 years later and I've used less than 10. That's with running two CNC businesses in that period and countless personal projects.

[dryphi]

I'm looking to machine some small rounded pockets and slots in acrylic with a 1mm ball-nose end mill, maybe roughing with a 1.5mm or so flat end mill first. I'll have to look again (it's on another machine) but I think the smallest in the library was 1/16"?

[ger21]

Just add what you need.

[Rcnewcomb]

I'm looking to machine some small rounded pockets and slots in acrylic with a 1mm ball-nose end mill, maybe roughing with a 1.5mm or so flat end mill first. I'll have to look again (it's on another machine) but I think the smallest in the library was 1/16"?

The easiest way is to
1. select a tool that is closest to what you want
2. Click Copy in the tool database dialog
3. Change the name of the tool
4. Change the diameter of the tool (Many people have forgotten this step and then wonder why parts aren't the right size. Ask me how I know)
5. Change the pass depth if needed
6. Change the feeds and speeds if needed
7. Click OK to save your changes

[dryphi]

The easiest way is to
1. select a tool that is closest to what you want
2. Click Copy in the tool database dialog
3. Change the name of the tool
4. Change the diameter of the tool (Many people have forgotten this step and then wonder why parts aren't the right size. Ask me how I know)
5. Change the pass depth if needed
6. Change the feeds and speeds if needed
7. Click OK to save your changes

Awesome thanks that's what I've been doing. What's a good reference for the feeds and speeds? Also I was getting a warning about the tolerance (I think that's what it's called, not one of the tool settings) - I guess I just need to decrease that to <10% of the tool diameter?

[Rcnewcomb]

What's a good reference for the feeds and speeds?

Onsrud Feeds and Speeds Landing Page