I’m new to CNC and I’m always running into issues that I don’t know how to sort out. One of which is as follows…I have a table-top that is now round, cut from a square piece of 1+ inch thick mahogany. I used Bitzero and my bitsetter to zero everything. The problem is that I don’t know how to set my X,Y, Z axis on a round piece of material now that I’ve messed it up and am trying to salvage it. .The image that has been V carved into it is horrible and I need to resurface this round piece, and add a new carve to it.
Measure the stock to get the diameter, create a new file with that size, the origin at the center and a circle centered on the Stock, create a facing or toolpath on the circle with a suitable tool and at the desired depth, then use a center-finder to find the center of the circle, mark that, then secure it so that the entirety of the circle is within the working are of the machine, then jog to the center position, set zero there and run the file.
1 Like
I appreciate your response. I’m unclear on what a center finder is. When setting zero at the center, I can use my Bitzero for that? Like I said, I’m new to CNC and even after a lot of the videos, I still feel like I’m doing everything all wrong, as I dont have anyone to walk me through anything/ show me what I should be doing as opposed to what I’m actually doing. And CNC terminology……I’m clueless.
I am running a Shapeoko 5.1 Pro, 80mm water cooled VFD spindle. Carbide Create Pro and Motion as well.
Depending on how big your circle is you can use a long ruler and a 45 degree head to find center. You move the ruler around in quarters and mark at the approximate center. You will develop an X pattern. If there are spaces and not a perfect X in the middle then just approximate the center and mark it. In CC you use center as your origin. You can still use the BitZero to set your Z height on top. For the X and Y just jog to the X mark and lower a v-bit and almost touch the surface and jog until you are right over the center X. Then in Jog menu set zero for X and Y only.
In CC do as @WillAdams suggested and create a new file with your circle the size of the actual circle. Add whatever you want and save the file. Then after centering in CM and setting the Z zero you selected in setup in CC machine.
If you dont have the above setup search for how to find center of circle and there are a lot of examples using rulers and/or framing squares to find center.
2 Likes
Probably just carefully measuring would work.
See:
2 Likes
I am a simple person. I would draw/make a square around the circle touching it’s edges then string a diagonal line from corner to corner.
X marks your center.
1 Like
I frequently just use a tape measure or scale. Measure the dia. and put a mark at half the diameter. Do this twice in two directions, usually about 90 deg apart.
Then center your tool over the mark for XY.
Helps to use a V-bit to set XY.
2 Likes