Using 1/2 round bits and 1/2 chuck

[pedro]

Hi, I am planning to cut 10" dishes with the 3D model from Vcarve. I was planning to do it with a 1/4 round nose, but was thinking what if I take a 1/2 bit that I use commonly in my handheld router....

I never even attached the 1/2 chuck to the spindle (AR8), question is, is that ok? 

And then, is a 1/2 bit more efficient than a 1/4 for such a cut? I guess a 10% stepover will be needed for both of them, the 1/2 would just be faster....

thanks

[toddd]

Mar 7, 2022 9:33:32 GMT -5 pedro said:

Hi, I am planning to cut 10" dishes with the 3D model from Vcarve. I was planning to do it with a 1/4 round nose, but was thinking what if I take a 1/2 bit that I use commonly in my handheld router....

I never even attached the 1/2 chuck to the spindle (AR8), question is, is that ok? 

And then, is a 1/2 bit more efficient than a 1/4 for such a cut? I guess a 10% stepover will be needed for both of them, the 1/2 would just be faster....

thanks

Yes its OK, I use 1/2" bits all the time to remove more and faster also less deflection, I have same machine as you

[pedro]

Thanks! Will do the simulation with both to see what runs faster....

[Neil]

I use 1/2" all the time. I also go to 40% or even 50% step over, as the 1/4" will do the finish. Much faster that way.

By this I mean 1/2" roughing with 45-50% step over and 1/4" finish with 10% step over and faster x/y moves.

[pedro]

Mar 8, 2022 11:30:02 GMT -5 Neil said:

I use 1/2" all the time. I also go to 40% or even 50% step over, as the 1/4" will do the finish. Much faster that way.

By this I mean 1/2" roughing with 45-50% step over and 1/4" finish with 10% step over and faster x/y moves.

Thanks Neil. I will try it. I do not see the point in making a roughing and finish for just a dish, right? I think I can do a finish directly (ie 10% stepover) with at 1/2 round nose...

[Neil]

True you can. You don't provide any dimensions. Assuming it is a shallow dish them I agree. If its more like a bowl, perhaps 2" deep then the amount of wood would be significant, hence the roughing. I would do the same as you and one pass with 1/2" ball with 10%, or 5% if you can speed up the x/y movement. I often set the x/y travel very high, then when I run the job use the Y- on the controller to reduce the speed, then increase with Y+ until i feel it is cutting and sounds smooth, this way you can control the speed at the time of the cut.

[pedro]

Mar 8, 2022 13:18:03 GMT -5 Neil said:

True you can. You don't provide any dimensions. Assuming it is a shallow dish them I agree. If its more like a bowl, perhaps 2" deep then the amount of wood would be significant, hence the roughing. I would do the same as you and one pass with 1/2" ball with 10%, or 5% if you can speed up the x/y movement. I often set the x/y travel very high, then when I run the job use the Y- on the controller to reduce the speed, then increase with Y+ until i feel it is cutting and sounds smooth, this way you can control the speed at the time of the cut.

Thanks, it is about 10 inches diameter and just 1/2 depth...so I guess I can just use one pass....good idea to adjust speed...in the AR8 Iguess it is though the siemens box below...

thanks, will try it!