A simple way to make inlays

This forum is for users to post tips and tricks they have found useful while working with VCarve Pro
User avatar
FixitMike
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2173
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus (retired)
Location: Burien, WA USA

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by FixitMike »

[quote="KWiK"] I have read a lot of the posts, but not all. I have never understood the relationship well enough,


This drawing shows how the toolpath settings work:
VCarve Inlay.png
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

KWiK
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 133
Joined: Tue May 27, 2014 3:03 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopSabre

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by KWiK »

Thanks Mike.

So Basically I was correct in that the Base Flat Depth - Inlay Start Depth, gives you the space between the two. So the PDF example in Post 1 has a Base Flat Depth of 0.3" and a Inlay Start Depth of 0.1", so that would give you 0.3" - 0.1" = 0.2" of glue gap? Doesn't that seem excessive? I would think a gap of 0.05" to 0.1" would be more than enough?

Do people always use Inlay Start Depth + Inlay Flat Depth = Base Flat Depth?

User avatar
FixitMike
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2173
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus (retired)
Location: Burien, WA USA

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by FixitMike »

KWiK wrote:Thanks Mike.

So Basically I was correct in that the Base Flat Depth - Inlay Start Depth, gives you the space between the two. So the PDF example in Post 1 has a Base Flat Depth of 0.3" and a Inlay Start Depth of 0.1", so that would give you 0.3" - 0.1" = 0.2" of glue gap? Doesn't that seem excessive? I would think a gap of 0.05" to 0.1" would be more than enough?

Do people always use Inlay Start Depth + Inlay Flat Depth = Base Flat Depth?
In my personal opinion, those settings are in error. I vary the settings depending upon the material, inlay details, and how I intend to remove the excess material (and sometimes how I feel, or what day of the week it is.). Almost always I set the base flat depth to be about .03" greater than the inlay start depth.

Just be very to sure to remove all of the fuzzies and splinters from the pieces before you put them together. I use a toothbrush and dental picks.
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

ablesser
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:24 am
Model of CNC Machine: XCarve
Location: ablesser AT gMail .com

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by ablesser »

FixitMike wrote: In my personal opinion, those settings are in error. I vary the settings depending upon the material, inlay details, and how I intend to remove the excess material (and sometimes how I feel, or what day of the week it is.). Almost always I set the base flat depth to be about .03" greater than the inlay start depth.

Just be very to sure to remove all of the fuzzies and splinters from the pieces before you put them together. I use a toothbrush and dental picks.
-Vectric's latest tutorial video on this on youtube would agree with you that 0.2" is too much. They seem to recommend 0.1", but something like 0.05" seems like an even better setting to avoid the glue gap. (see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4992bEoNYI)

- When you "remove the fuzzies" how exactly do you use a toothbrush and dental picks to do this? Is the toothbrush used like sandpaper and the pick for splinters in tight spots? I ask because i'm having serious fit trouble with a V-Inlay over in this thread http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=28324 where I posted about some issues, and wondering if this could help me?

tvannaman2000
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2016 2:49 am
Model of CNC Machine: X-Carve

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by tvannaman2000 »

My concern is with the starting depth of the male part of the inlay. I'm using a clearing bit (1/8" or 1/16") to remove a lot of the material first before I use the vbit and that first cut is too deep because of the start depth setting. Once that first pass is done, the remaining passes are fine. ie. I want to cut no more than .05" per pass but if my starting depth is already .05, it will try to cut .1 on the first pass. I guess I could go in and adjust my pass info, but if the starting depth is larger than your max depth setting for the bit, you risk breaking bits or munging wood. How do you people handle that?


Tim.

User avatar
FixitMike
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2173
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus (retired)
Location: Burien, WA USA

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by FixitMike »

The description of how a V Bit cuts using the VCarve toolpath is available from the Aspire and VCarve help documents.

Go to "Help", "Help Contents" on the menu bar at the top of the VCarve (or Aspire) window. Click on the VCarve toolpath icons until you get to "VCave Toolpath".

The Vbit downward step maximum is controlled by the "Pass Depth"entry in the *Tool Database", while the sideways step maximum is controlled by the entries for "Pass Stepover". There is provision for a final pass to clean up the fuzzies.

*The Tool Database is found at: "Toolpaths-Tool Database" on the menu bar.
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

ThatGuyJosh
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:38 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot D2418
Location: East Windsor, NJ

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by ThatGuyJosh »

How small are some of the pieces you guys have had success doing inlays on? I’m planning to begin doing my headstock inlays on my cnc, I know it’s possible and I’m slowly stepping down in size as I practice (started out at 6 inches tall and need to eventually get down to a little less than 2”). But it would be encouraging for me to see/hear how small you are going. Thanks!

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4704
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by scottp55 »

Hey Josh...same machine as me:)
I was hoping a luthier would chime in, but might as well show some of my first attempts from 2014-2015.
Their not super small, but some fine details.
Paul said to play with scrap first....so first board was Walnut with a 16" split in 24"
I THINK I made all the mistakes possible, but a good learning board:)
All these were done with an Onsrud 1/4" shank 60 degree with a .01" flat, and gluing was Rockler Medium CA.
When I next play with Vinlay, I'll probably try a 30degree and finer details.
Attachments
2014 FIRST AND SECOND ATTEMPT.jpg
2014 INLAY LEFT  VINLAY RIGHT.jpg
2014 ZEBRA 2.jpg
2014 VINLAY TREE.jpg
2015 TIN PURPLEHEART MAPLE 1.jpg
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

ThatGuyJosh
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:38 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot D2418
Location: East Windsor, NJ

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by ThatGuyJosh »

Hey Scott! We’re friends over on the shopbot forum. I’m continually impressed by your work and by your willingness to help others and share your experiences. There’s a lot to learn between the software and the machining but I’m confident that I can get there with all the resources available. I’ve been focusing on getting my procedures swapped over to the cnc, most of the bodies are programmed, working on necks now, I think the inlay programming is done, just need to cut it and fine tune it. I find the important aspect is to enjoy the process and be willing to make mistakes and learn, thanks again my friend!

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4704
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by scottp55 »

And I'll probably play more with a pocketed design like the outline of Maine where the original wood shows through.
Original sign was 24" long, and I did the whole male in one piece of 1/4" curly Maple stock....WRONG!
I thought I was being smart by using the cast iron left wing from my Unisaw to distribute pressure, BUT when I placed it on from the wheelchair, it seated crooked and I didn't notice :oops:
Only the Maine section was usable....I rejigged it and cut the "Made in Maine" section down .1" and cut the female again in steps so I could actually see the seating.
Then cut that portion down and cut again...this time I cut it into smaller sections for better seating/clamping and used Padauk.
I should have just skimmed the whole thing off and done it again, but my Dad REALLY liked the Maine section, and the customer/boss/Father is ALWAYS right! :)
So I just faired the 2 sections together:)
THAT one was TBI as you can see in the bottom of the Maine gaps...I like CA better, but maybe I'll go Thick CA in the future so I don't get a dark coloration on end grain.
Hope any of this helps.
scott
Attachments
2015 MISCLAMPED RAISED TEXT FIRST ATTEMPT.jpg
2015 inlay that clamping muck up.jpg
2015 MISCLAMPED RAISED TEXT DISSECTION.jpg
2015 MISCLAMPED RAISED TEXT SECOND CLAMP.jpg
2015 MISCLAMPED RAISED TEXT.jpg
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4704
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by scottp55 »

Josh...If you ever want to take a cruise to Maine...I've got a spare bedroom, and shop is heated and actually part of the house.
Had people from Oz,NH,and next week another Mainer...They say I'm obnoxious, but not horribly :D
I've been meaning to get back into inlays(both this method and regular inlays for non-butterfly butterflies:)
Got a fair amount of exotics in my stash, and always wondered exactly how small I could go :)
Actually planned on doing inlaid buttons, but wound up getting the second Desktop EXACTLY the same as mine, and training a new operator and button finisher instead...when production was finally done and Dad gave the company away...I never got back to it.
My e-mail is on my Shopbot contact list.
scott
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

Woodhelven
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:50 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Solsylva 18 x 24

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by Woodhelven »

Thank you all for presenting this great forum. I have been using this technique for a while but have been plagued with gaps along the glue line. I thought it was a problem with my machine until zooming in to this rendering of the male part showed a mouse bite in the model. In this image it is on the ampersand in line with the end of the L. It seems to be in the level of the start depth. The tool path shows the tool coming up to that place and moving in, though it makes no sense. It is at the level of the start depth, so it would be cutting air, as far as the software knows. There is no feature there. It is the middle of a smooth curve, though coincidentally in node edit there is a node right there.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
MouseBite.png
Attachments
LB_Examination.crv
(583 KiB) Downloaded 300 times

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5864
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by Rcnewcomb »

Woodhelven,

The "mouse bite" is because there are two nodes on top of each other on the curve of the ampersand. I dragged one of them off to show you where it is.
MouseBite.PNG
I attached a copy of the file with the offending node removed.
Attachments
LB_ExaminationV02.crv
(589.5 KiB) Downloaded 304 times
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

Woodhelven
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:50 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Solsylva 18 x 24

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by Woodhelven »

Randall
Thanks so much. That will be tough to find in the future, other than by visual inspection. Is there another forum or series of posts that might help with this "cleaning up the graphics" type of thing, 'cause, as I said, it happens a lot.

User avatar
Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14503
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: A simple way to make inlays

Post by Adrian »

Use the Vector Validator tool in VCarve. That will pick up a lot of problems including that one.

Post Reply