cnc router v-grove gcode question

moccabee

moccabee

Mocc1Cues
Silver Member
How many of you are cutting your v-groves from the top of the wood?

I recently purchased a Cnc router and I have modified a gcode I found to cut the v-grove using the Z axis. It's this a good way of cutting the v-grove?
 
moccabee said:
How many of you are cutting your v-groves from the top of the wood?

I recently purchased a Cnc router and I have modified a gcode I found to cut the v-grove using the Z axis. It's this a good way of cutting the v-grove?
Click to expand...

I don't use my CNC when cutting V's. I use a mill, but, never the less, I have found that the use of a V bit so as to cut from the top doesn't give as sharp bottom of the groove as from cutting from the side with the use of a 90 deg. radius cutter. A V cutter isn't as efficient at cutting at the tip of the V.

Dick
 
moccabee said:
How many of you are cutting your v-groves from the top of the wood? It's (Is?) this a good way of cutting the v-grove?
Click to expand...

Pros: it's easy to program, it's easy to set up

Cons: the tip of the cutter does not cut efficiently & the base of the V will not be sharp. This prevents a sharp point from seating properly in the groove. I suspect the inefficient cutting will increase tool pressure which may or may not be a problem if you have a thin web at the base of your forearm.

You can:
a. Accept the mismatch & let the point rock in the groove, trusting the glue to fill the voids. This will work but will be visible if scrutinized.
b. Sand a slight radius on the point to match the base of the groove. This allows it to seat perfectly but the tip of the point will not be sharp.
c. Hand scrape the base of the groove to a sharp corner. Best solution but requires care & patience.
d. Combination of b. and c. in which you "cheat" by squaring up the tip area of the groove and sanding a radius on the wider section of the point.
e. Eliminate all the above issues & cut from the side like THIS.

edit: sorry, Dick, I was composing this while you posted & didn't realize you already answered the question.
 
The biggest thing I see when cutting a V on the centerline with depth in the Z axis is that there are no surface feet per minute on the cutter at centerline, so likely the cut will not be as good, and depending on the cutter geometry will not leave a sharp V. Using a 90 degree form cutter or a tilted flat bottom cutter will likely work much better, as the cutter will have surface speed that will work with the feedrate much better,,,,,,,how much better is determined by ridgity in the set up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top