When cutting all the way through I set Z zero to be on the machine bed in the software and then put a piece of the tape with the backing on the slats and zero using the paper method there.
Using the probe on the corner and then coming back to do Z on the surface is an extra step but works well. It would be nice if CM had an XY only measurement. I know you can do them individually but that seems like it would take even longer than the extra trip to the bitsetter for the unneeded Z measurement.
Here is the result of my the first attempt at doing an inlay. I used MDF for both pieces since it was really just a test run. Cutters were a 102 1/8 and a 302 60deg Vbit. There are a few very tiny gaps but overall I’m pretty happy with it
Any suggestions for tightening up those gaps?
On intricate pieces try a 30 or 15 degree vee bit. You get better results. The 30/15 also give better results on fine lines on simple vcarving projects. Just make sure any vee bit you buy has a sharp point and not a rounded one. Using a rounded vee bit will results in shallow cuts because the BitSetter assumes you are measuring a sharp point and not a rounded one. The round point makes the BitSetter think the bit is further up than a sharp pointed one. Just make sure you get a vee bit that has a sharp point and not rounded. Also inspect your vee bit on occasion because the point can get knocked off.
Yup. I got this one from Tools for Working Wood in Brooklyn. Kiridashi is a very sharp single-bevel knife with a hollow back like a Japanese chisel. It can be honed to a ridiculous edge. I used it to open up the 1/32 radii left by the 1/16 spiral end mill. Much safer than pointing a chisel right at my hand. Although I did give myself quite a gash on my left thumb before I sharpened it again.
These inlay pictures are the motivation I needed. I’m in the shop today cutting everything out, just taking forever to get through all these pieces. Here is the design I’m doing, and fingers crossed that the 3D inlays turn out. It’s not in the pictures, but I ended up putting a reverse slope indentation on each of the honeycombs, should look like a golf ball divot…should be interesting carving into each inlay and how well it holds up.
The workflow is doing a roughing pass, pocket clear with an offset against the walls, 3D profile, then cutting the edges to each chamfer at 15 degrees, then join the male and female connections, then a final 3D clear pass along the surface.
I spent all day yesterday cleaning my 4 Pro, and tightning all my belts… if it fails, should be mechanical and not the gcode, as I triple checked everything. So far so good!
Doing test cuts is absolutely critical, both for sanity and the checkbook. The materials I’m using is highly figured and expensive wood.
Quite a different take on corner cabinets I’ve seen. Most I’ve seen are display type, not kitchen cabinets.
I really like the design of this one as it has doors to open, yet still makes a nice piece for a corner in a dining or living room.
Good work!!
With this success I increased the scale to a piece of end grain I’d been sitting on (stock size was 11.25" x 13.25"). Font was from a 9 font pack off Etsy and the anchor was a different STL off Etsy (more detail and cool wrap around chain).
This is after the “3D Rough”. 1/4" 3 flute End mill (#201), 0.05" DOC 150 IPM, “stock to leave” 0.01".
After the 3D finish pass I wanted a bit more detail on the inlaid text; “ELLISON HARBOR”. So I did and Advanced V-carve with an 1/8" end mill and 90* V bit which also incuded some cool stripes!
Super stoked with how it came out, Great way to break into 2025! Not I just need to ditch this cough!
Thanks again to the community! Everyone is so helpful, and I try to include as much info about my projects as I can so everyone can learn along with me. If anyone as has any questions please feel free to ask.
Thought you might like these little critters I made. I sketched them on an e-ink tablet then engraved them using a vbit before filling with epoxy Maybe not an artistic masterpiece, but certainly a fun little project and they make me smile.