Contour of STL file

I am trying to carve a variable thickness file,I have carved it out very well but my double sided tape is too strong for the item to be removed,some parts would be less tan a mm.I was thinking if I could contour and then add up to say couple of mm of vertical thickness.Can it be done??

Yes, just add a Base Height, or model the STL on top of a previously placed flat region.

Thanks Will,I just want to vertical base under it so as to give it some rigidity

Double sided tape works but has several side effects. First the double sided tape holds your project up off the spoilboard and lead to the surface of the material being not flat. Another issue with double sided tape is on cut throughs the adhesive and tape remnants get on the bit. And as you have found good double sided tape does not like to let go.

If you like double sided tape slide a putty knife under and pry up slowly. The tape will release with steady pressure.

Instead of double sided tape recommend painters tape and super glue. You put painters tape on the back of the project and on the spoilboard. Then put super glue on the tape on one side and press the two parts together and hold for a few seconds. When ready to remove the painters tape leave the part on the spoilboard longer and put a putty knife under it and pry up and it will come loose. Then peel the painters tape off the back of the project. Painters tape can still get on your bit but not as much as double sided tape. There are many posts here on the forum about painters tape and super glue. The painters tape trick works well for things around the shop you want to hand router or file on without the project moving around.

I use regular 3M painters tape that is 2". I also use TiteBond Medium Super Glue and never had a failure. From small to large projects it works and no tabs to remove.

No matter what method you use you need some good bit cleaner to clean your bits. Even wood leaves behind residue but adhesive tape and painters tape leave behind residue and you should clean your bits on a regular basis. I use CMT bit/blade cleaner and it works well. Rockler and others make bit/blade cleaner. For regular router bits with bearings always remove the bearing before soaking the bit. Bearings dont like being dipped in cleaning solution. Never use bearing router bits on a cnc.

1 Like

try activator spray on one of the tapes, the other one the superglue, when they come in contact they stick literally immediately.

You are correct about activator but that assumes you get the project material planted perfectly. Without the activator you can wiggle the project a little to get it in place where it needs to go. The super glue sets up pretty quickly and in plenty of time to set your zeros and load your file and get ready to cut. No real need for instant set and without activator you have more flexibility.

Guy, yes, that is so true! It sticks immediately, no way to correct. :slight_smile:
Stockholding of small objects from thin or floppy material is a challenge. And with the painters’ tape method only a small part of the tapes is glued together, so some parts of small pieces are just not fixed. Or do you spread the superglue somehow like wood glue with a brush? And it is not cheap. I use that painters’ tape method also a lot.

Thanks everyone,certainly the double sided tape did not want to let go,painters tape tomorrow.I don’t use the accelerator I set it up in the evening and just put a weight on top and in the morning good to go.

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.