Hello All,
I have been running my new Lathe attachment on a camaster for about a month now. I'm about to do a six foot long pocketing tool path on the middle portion of a maple column, and I'd like to save myself some sanding.
When using a pocket toolpath to bring to the final thickness, what sort of cut-direction and what sort of bit have you found gives the smoothest finish? I've experimented between rastering in the direction of rotation and also parallel to the Y with a half-inch End Mill. There seems to be a trade off. More chatter when cutting around the axis, and significantly decreased rounding resolution when cutting along the y axis. I think I'll try a 45 degree raster to nearly the full depth and see what sort of result that gives. What do you prefer?
Also, I've been using the half-inch end mill. I don't think it'd be worth it to switch to a ballnose. Has anybody attempted to use a spoilboard surfacing bit on the lathe? It seems like it might not go well, but I'm hoping I'm wrong and I can use my nice Amana surfacer to give it a smoooooooth finish.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Lathe is much fun. Two-thumbs up.
-Luke Ferrell
Vine and Branches Fine Woodworks