Hi Everyone, I’m running into problems with small gaps in my V-Carve inlay work. I’m making coasters using bamboo for my base, cherry for the decorative waves and walnut for the sea animals. I created all designs in Illustrator before importing the SVGs into CC. I followed the steps of the " How to Create Perfect V-Carve Inlays on your CNC". I’m using a 60 degree vbit for the vcarving along with a 1/8" and 1/4" end mills. In certain areas there are gaps around the waves as well as the sea animals. The whale fin in particular is odd to me becomes those curves don’t appear to match even though the plugs are mirror images of the vcarve. I’m not sure if this is a machine issue or software, but any help would be appreciated. I’ve included photos of the finished work as well as my CC file.
On a side note, some of the detailed pieces, like on the octopus, chipped away after glue up. I’m wondering if the 60 degree bit is too shallow for those small detailed areas and if I should go down to a 30 degree, and/or use end grain walnut instead…
FYI I’m using a Shapeoko 4 XXL, with Carbide Create Build 778, Built on: 2024-07-29; Free Edition.
Thanks!
I haven’t done inlay, but how is your work holding on the parts? I have had parts slightly shift while cutting if the clamping wasn’t right. Also had issues with the thin wood bowing (probably releasing internal stress) as I cut things.
looks to me like the bit bent, it is surprising how much force such a blade of the bit can develop, it pulls the cutting edge away from the cutting path. Maybe try a shorter bit, that does not bend that much?
And I stopped doing inlays in edge grain wood, use end grain wood. I always use 20deg Vcarve. Maybe I try again end grain inlays with larger angle vcarve bits.
huh, I didn’t realize that was a thing. Makes sense I guess. I’m using a whiteside 60 degree bit for the v-carve and its fairly new. Maybe I first try clamping it closer inside the sleeve. Any recommendations on a 20/30 degree bit?
