Trying to take that next step

[moccabee]

Let me start out by saying I bought a cnc router machine with several g-codes already installed and I have figured out how to modify those to my liking. I mainly use this for tapering and I have now starting using it to do my points cut outs.

I would like to try and use this to do inlay work as well. Is it possible? Do they make micro end mills with a 1/4" shank or do I need to get a smaller collet to hold the 1/8" shank? How does one go about creating even a simple diamond pattern G-code for both the cut-out and inlay?

Sorry I have so many questions, just trying to take that next step.

 

[Guerra Cues]

You will definitely need a 1/8" collet. There are end mills as small as 0.005".
What kind of spindle do you have?

 

[moccabee]

I am using a Bosch router.

 

[Paul Dayton]

You won't be able to use the smallest end mills. They require a spindle with run out in the low ten thousandths. There are reducing sleeves you can buy that allow you to run 1/8" bits in a 1/4" collet but they reduce the already borderline tir of the existing router. I do my live threading with just such a set-up. True precision tools are very expensive.