V-Bit Carve chewing material

[JCardany (John Cardany)]

Still learning, but thought I would esteem advice from the group. Having issues with v-carving lettering (in maple, shown) as well as cherry. Letters here are 3/8” and I’m using a 60 deg v-bit. Some letters are ok and others super shredded. I’m going to experiment on a scrap piece with a 90 deg v-bit, but I’m wondering if this is a feeds-and-speeds thing (it’s set to the default for the C3D v-bit) or do I need a different bit or carving technique?

And, yes, I’m having some challenges with clearing bit techniques (probably related to common zero issues) but at least in this case, I was able to clean things up manually with my Foredom tools.

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

Technique for testing feeds and speeds:

https://www.precisebits.com/tutorials/calibrating_feeds_n_speeds.htm

Wood as a natural material can have a lot of variety, but the problems you’re having look more like mechanical issues. Please check: https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/FAQ#Mechanical

[JCardany (John Cardany)]

Will do! Thanks Will!

[fenrus (Arjan van de Ven)]

I normally run 0.1" depth, at 40 to 50 ipm speed… and no more than that…

another thing that likely will help is to do a roughing pass to clear the bulk of material with, say, bit 201

[JCardany (John Cardany)]

I will definitely check that. Thanks!

[gdon_2003 (Guy Donham)]

Usually maple and cherry carve very well since they are hardwoods. Oak can be problematic since it is grainy anyway.

[Julien]

Maybe share your feeds and speeds here ? There have been a number of changes in CC’s defaults over the past few months.

Which 60deg Vbit are you using? I remember starting with a cheap chinesium Vbit, and got horrible results, it was just not sharp enough

[JCardany (John Cardany)]

@fenrus - Thanks! I did a clearing pass cut for the lettering (1.5mm end mill), but admittedly, it was from an inexpensive bit set.

Thanks @Julien Here are the F&S I had set for this cut. I’m using the Carbide 3D bit (#302). I’ll also be checking my mechanical settings.

[Julien]

Those F&S look ok except I would increase speed to 18000 RPM. As a test, you can also reduce depth per pass a bit, see if that helps.
But I agree that checking the machine mechanically is probably the priority, we can see the bit not quite following the curves in the pictures above, which is probably an indication for slop somewhere (you know the drill: check ALL eccentrics , tighten belts)

[JCardany (John Cardany)]

Thanks again everyone for all of your help! Definitely needed eccentrics tightened and belts (including Z) definitely needed to be tighter. Did a test cut with much better results!