I'd like to work with some of the 3D Design and Make files. I use VCarve Pro and understand the basics of the roughing and finishing passes. What is a good combination of material (hardwood/softwood/composite) and tools? A big question I know, but I'm having trouble getting decent looking carves and am hoping for a starting point in terms of router bits and material.
Thanks! in advance....
Dan
Design and Make Carving help
Moderator: Todd Bailey
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2019 2:01 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: cncrouterparts
- dhellew2
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1322
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 10:14 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Legacy Artisan 72 and AVID CNC Rotary
- Location: Royal City Washington
Re: Design and Make Carving help
Non porous woods such as cherry, redwood, and red gum have less frizzies
3-flute spiral bits cut cleaner than straight bits
Solid carbide bits are best but more expensive
Dale
3-flute spiral bits cut cleaner than straight bits
Solid carbide bits are best but more expensive
Dale
You will get old if you live long enough!
Young = time, no money
Old = money, no time
Dale
Young = time, no money
Old = money, no time
Dale
-
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:34 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: shopbot 48x48 upgraded prt
- Location: Monessen, Pa
- Contact:
Re: Design and Make Carving help
good models have more than just the bits, although that is one element of it. feed speeds, depth of cuts and remaining material also factor in along with the type of woods, grain of woods which way you are carving, etc. Too much to try and explain right now. Take it one step at a time, you are asking a lot of things that are not particularly a factor of cnc but rather working with wood which is a totally different topic.
Bob
Bob
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2019 2:01 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: cncrouterparts
Re: Design and Make Carving help
Thanks guys- good information. I was hesitant to post (as per Bob's answer) as I realize it's a much bigger question for a quick forum answer. I'll keep playing with it....it's not so much the material and tooling costs but the great amount of time it takes to see the results. I will source some cherry and walnut and play with speeds/feeds/bits/grain.
- WNC_Ed
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 296
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2018 5:56 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD4 AXYZ 4010
- Location: Western North Carolina - Heart of the Smokies
Re: Design and Make Carving help
Ideally when you are starting up a fairly steep learning curve you would want to reduce as many variables as possible. The easiest variable to limit is in the material selection, so when you see a result good or bad you can sort out why something worked or didn’t.
MDF is fairly inexpensive, mostly consistent, and machines well.
Walnut and cherry are great but expensive by comparison.
MDF is fairly inexpensive, mostly consistent, and machines well.
Walnut and cherry are great but expensive by comparison.
Maker of sawdust
- scottp55
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4713
- Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
- Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US
Re: Design and Make Carving help
I was thinking that I mainly learn by my mistakes.
Perhaps you could post pics of what you were dissatisfied with, along with screenshot of the toolpath,AND the "Tool edit" box.
DON'T post the entire file if it contains copyrighted material, but with just pics and screenshots...we can probably make comments more accurately.
Maybe save you some pain in the learning phase?
Could be as simple as stepover/bit size/or cutting strategy.
scott
Perhaps you could post pics of what you were dissatisfied with, along with screenshot of the toolpath,AND the "Tool edit" box.
DON'T post the entire file if it contains copyrighted material, but with just pics and screenshots...we can probably make comments more accurately.
Maybe save you some pain in the learning phase?
Could be as simple as stepover/bit size/or cutting strategy.
scott
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.
R.N.