Should i run my endmill before the bowl bit? In this i ran the bowl bit for the complete pocket, then when i seen the rings left behind from it, i went back and tried to clean it up with my 1/8th endmill. Helped alot but seemed to leave a perimeter, either way I’m more so wanting to find out is there a specific order or if it even matters which order to use an Endmill and Bowl bit…I’m using cheap azz pine for this prototype until I get something I like, so I know that plays a factor, not to mention my v wheels more than likely need replaced. So, again, the focus is the order of the bits, not my quality on this particular piece.
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I did a similar project with Walnut, Maple, and Cherry.
I found that I got the best results by using the Bowling bit in a Raster ToolPath, then one final Pass using a profile pass.
When I just used the Raster toolpath I had very small ridges where the bit turned around. The profile pass cleaned that up.
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forgive me, but even though I’ve had my machine for a few years, I dont think I’ve ever came across what a Raster toolpath is? is that a setting in CC that I’ve overlooked? Also, what’s the benefit over simply using my vector designs? hey thanks
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I use Vectric.
Here is a Raster tool path.
Here is an Offset toolpath.
Using a Raster tool path makes for a cleaner cut when used with the grain of the wood. Making the finished product a lot cleaner. It is very time-consuming to sand away tool marks inside of a pocket cut.
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Maybe a tool path strategy using offsets may clean things up a bit. Offset the inside of the pocket by half the diameter of your clearing bit. Using a #201 I set a .125" offset.
From the first offset I applied a second offset the diameter of the ball nose bit used for the rounded corners. Using a #202 the second offset is .250" from the first.
The first tool path is pocketing out the cavity to the first offset, the second is pocketing between the second offset and inside the original shape.
pocket.c2d (140 KB)
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