It was explained to me to make a pocket before a contour cut

[Pan (Andy photenas)]

Hello, I just got my machine back and running thanks to some help from our awesome forum. I’m having an issue where I was taught by the forum too use a offset path and pocket command before you cut all the way through a three-quarter inch piece of wood around the outside of something. Problem is the pocket command is cutting all of one side of the pocket to full depth, and then the other side of the pocket, rendering the entire point of this useless as far as I can tell? Can anyone tell me if I have something programmed wrong?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Post your file?

The pocket should only go down to tab height, see:

Best Bit for full cut through

One which has a cutting flute length equal to or greater than the thickness of the stock — pretty much any tool should work. Big thing is the toolpaths — if cutting out, rather than just cutting a slot: [image] Offset to the outside by endmill diameter plus 10% or so: [image] [image] [image] Then cut as a pocket: [image] down to tab height or the penultimate pass: [image] then move the contour down to below the pocket and start cutting at the bottom of the pocket: [image] and…

[CullenS (Cullen Simpson)]

Similar issue discussed here: Pocket toolpath still trying to slot cut - #4 by CullenS