3d roughing and finishing tool paths

[mrbill62]

First of all I haven't done A lot of 3d carving. Generally when doing A roughing tool path is it better to use a end mill or tapered ball nose of the same size?
When doing A finishing tool path does it mater if you specify A ball nose or tapered ball nose will one do A better job? All my ball nose carving bit are tappered

[Rcnewcomb]

A roughing tool path is it better to use a end mill or tapered ball nose of the same size?

I try to avoid doing roughing, but when I do I choose the largest end mill that yields the desired results.

A roughing pass is needed:
- to avoid breaking my finishing bit
- to clear material so the collet doesn't have a collision

When doing A finishing tool path does it mater if you specify A ball nose or tapered ball nose will one do A better job? All my ball nose carving bit are tapered

If you define your bits as tapered ballnose then the software will adjust the toolpaths near vertical walls. Otherwise, if you told it the bit was a simple ballnose, but put a tapered ballnose in the router/spindle, then you may notice areas where the thicker part of the tapered bit took a bite out of a portion of the vertical wall. Depending on your design it could range from making no difference, to making a visible difference.

It is best to define the tools correctly to reduce unexpected results.

[ezurick]

Great explanation Rcnewcomb... All of my ball nose tools are not tapered, but it is good to know this for the future.