Fuzzy Carving

[dopauls]

Good evening. I am just getting started with 3D carving using VCarve Desktop and an Inventables XCarve Pro machine.

In my first carving attempt, I used a 1/4" end mill for the roughing pass and an 1/8" ball nose bit for the finish pass. Not too bad, but I wanted a little better definition at the base of the rhino. The wood was basswood.

In the second attempt, I used a 1/8" ball nose bit as a roughing bit, with a 1/4" 60 degree Vbit as the finish pass. I got better definition at the base of the rhino, but it left a lot of fuzzy wood.

So, is this fuzziness due to the 60 degree V Carve bit or a legacy of basswood that I would not see on a harder wood. I can remove the fuzz with some gentle sanding, but would prefer to not have to. I would be grateful for any advice you can offer.

Doug

[RickW3DS]

0.250 end mill for roughing and use a really small ball nose for the finish. Basswood is soft so it's going to be fuzzy. Try some MDF for practice if you have good dust collection.

[scotttarnor]

What was your step over for the finish pass with the .125 BN. I personally would never use a v bit on a finish tool path.

[dopauls]

The stepover was 0.005 inch or 2%.

[Leo]

Softwoods just plain old get the fuzzies - period.

I am working on some MDF right now and it gets something like fuzzies as well.

I did the 3D carving just like you did, but then I sprayed it down (soaked it) with rattle can Shellac.
Let dry really good and go over the carving again.