Holding down smaller pieces

This forum is for general discussion regarding VCarve Pro
redwood
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 301
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:38 am
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom Pro6
Location: No. Calif.

Holding down smaller pieces

Post by redwood »

Up until now, every piece I've carved, I've been able to hold down with clamps. A friend asked me to carve some lettering on the top of a ring case he is making. The piece is approx. 3/4" thick and 4 1/2" in diameter. The material is Oak.

I've thought of 2 sided carpet tape or some type of glue. Does anyone have any good suggestions? I don't want to screw this up.

On a side note, does anyone recognize the font?
Dan's ring box.jpg
Mark
Pioneer, CA

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Rcnewcomb »

On a side note, does anyone recognize the font?
Lucida Calligraphy
Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 3.22.33 PM.png
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

potzmannwoodshop
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:03 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 2 SCM Routech Record 120s(1999, 2001)

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by potzmannwoodshop »

redwood wrote:2 sided carpet tape

Super glue and masking tape, look it up online for the method, dont ever use 2 sided tape

redwood
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 301
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:38 am
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom Pro6
Location: No. Calif.

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by redwood »

I assume that you put masking tape on your spoilerboard and the underside of the piece to be carved and super glue between them. Is regular blue masking tape OK?

Thanks Randall, for the font.
Mark
Pioneer, CA

User avatar
highpockets
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3667
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ Pilot Pro

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by highpockets »

I use CA glue and blue painters tape. It took some time for me to try it because I just didn't think it could possibly work, but it does...

I also like it better than edge claps because it holds down the material over the entire bottom surface and not just around the edges.

John
Maker of Chips

Mobius
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 413
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:19 am
Model of CNC Machine: CRP Pro 4848 Custom Build
Location: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Mobius »

potzmannwoodshop wrote:
redwood wrote:2 sided carpet tape

Super glue and masking tape, look it up online for the method, dont ever use 2 sided tape
Carpet works fine, just not if you're doing through cuts. Then it gums up your bit and makes a mess. Also, the CA glue and masking tape doesn't work if you're using a HDPE spoilboard like me lol.
Connor Bredin
Distinctive Dimensional Concepts Ltd.
www.distinctive-concepts.ca

potzmannwoodshop
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:03 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 2 SCM Routech Record 120s(1999, 2001)

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by potzmannwoodshop »

Mobius wrote:using a HDPE spoilboard like me lol.

Why would you use such an expensive material for a consumable material?

Barry Anderson
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 193
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:08 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Barry Anderson »

potzmannwoodshop wrote:
redwood wrote:2 sided carpet tape

Super glue and masking tape, look it up online for the method, dont ever use 2 sided tape
Why do you recommend not using 2 sided tape? I have used it before with no problems.

Mobius
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 413
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:19 am
Model of CNC Machine: CRP Pro 4848 Custom Build
Location: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Mobius »

potzmannwoodshop wrote:
Mobius wrote:using a HDPE spoilboard like me lol.

Why would you use such an expensive material for a consumable material?
Well, it is not entirely HDPE. I have a sheet of 1/4" aluminum as the base, with strips of 1/4" HDPE as the spoilboard material stuck to it using....... carpet tape. :lol: :lol:

We were using MDF, but it is just such a.... unpleasant material. We'd surface it, and come back the next day and have to surface it again because the humidity changed.

And then we started doing a lot of aluminum cutting, which required some coolant mist. Which absolutely ruins MDF.

So far the HDPE has been great. As long as the temperature remains constant, we rarely have to resurface unless it gets chewed up. And we rarely cut into the spoilboard (other than user error), as it remains consistent enough that we can zero off of the table instead of the stock. Biggest downside is that it can be slippery, so double checking the hold-downs is key. That and normal painter's tape won't stick to it, so no CA trick.

Image
Connor Bredin
Distinctive Dimensional Concepts Ltd.
www.distinctive-concepts.ca

LittleGreyMan
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1012
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 1:10 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 3 axis small size machine
Location: France

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by LittleGreyMan »

potzmannwoodshop wrote:Super glue and masking tape, look it up online for the method, dont ever use 2 sided tape
Darn. After thousands hours of successful machining with this method, I discover I shouldn't have used double sided tape. :D

When you are using masking tape or blue tape and super glue, what are you doing but making your own double sided tape?

I agree than carpet tape is generally not a good solution and that finding the good double sided tape is not that easy. It must hold down firmly the material and be easy to remove. The one I found looks more or less like a carpet tape, but the fabric base is more loose and it seems less gummy then carpet tape. Unfortunately, is is not branded, so I can't be of more help.

Double-sided tape is not always a good solution for wood. Works fine on some hard woods. Despite a strong holding, it can be insufficient if wood twists while cutting.
Best regards

Didier

W7 - Aspire 8.517

User avatar
Leo
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:02 am
Model of CNC Machine: 1300 x 1300 x 254 Chinese Made
Location: East Freetown, Ma.
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Leo »

I would use 2 clamps on the side areas. There should be plenty of room on the sides.
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

User avatar
newmexico
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:31 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shopbot
Location: New Mexico
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by newmexico »

Last edited by newmexico on Tue May 01, 2018 1:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Phil
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3026
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:56 pm
Location: Pittsfield, MA

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by Phil »

Another choice would be to screw a piece plywood to the underside of the wood. Place the screws strategically to avoid being hit by the bit, then attach the plywood to the spoil board.

Phil

User avatar
WaltS
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 500
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2016 7:44 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot 2418 - Spindle - ScottP Spoilbrd
Location: Virginia USA

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by WaltS »

I hold down 3/4" wood all the time and use Shop Fox clamps. Sometimes have to get creative with some odd shaped pieces but haven't had any issues...yet.

ElevationCreations
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu May 14, 2015 12:29 am
Model of CNC Machine: AVID PRO-Acorn , Shapeoko SO3 XXL & SO3s
Location: Colorado
Contact:

Re: Holding down smaller pieces

Post by ElevationCreations »

You could use hot glue on the bottom and hot glue blocks around it to prevent movement. Then use denatured alcohol to release the hot glue when done.

Post Reply