New member - a few basic questions

[brodie]

Hi all.  New to the forum and soon-to-be Iconic owner (may arrive today).

A few questions about CNC in general:

I have a drill-mill with manual x-y bed.  When I typically do any work on it, I found that applying a layer of painters tape gives me cleaner cuts with less burring...especially for drilling holes with forstner bits.
Is this not necessary with the CNC?  Is it a good or bad idea. Guess the tape could clog the bit?

Also, how hard is it to accurately align a part that already has a finished shape so that you can make additional cuts or engravings?  Or is it better/easier to have the machine profile the part from scratch?

And lastly, if I want to make say 1/2" holes all the through a part, is it better to have a smaller bit mill them out or use a actual 1/2" bit and plunge them out?

thanks,

[toddd]

Jul 15, 2021 9:36:31 GMT -5 brodie said:

Hi all.  New to the forum and soon-to-be Iconic owner (may arrive today).

A few questions about CNC in general:

I have a drill-mill with manual x-y bed.  When I typically do any work on it, I found that applying a layer of painters tape gives me cleaner cuts with less burring...especially for drilling holes with forstner bits.
Is this not necessary with the CNC?  Is it a good or bad idea. Guess the tape could clog the bit?

Also, how hard is it to accurately align a part that already has a finished shape so that you can make additional cuts or engravings?  Or is it better/easier to have the machine profile the part from scratch?

And lastly, if I want to make say 1/2" holes all the through a part, is it better to have a smaller bit mill them out or use a actual 1/2" bit and plunge them out?

thanks,


Your first question it really depends on what you are cutting and what speeds, I hated cutting plywood until I discovered down cut spiral bits now its easy and a good cut.


Yes its hard to align parts, you will need to be good at making jigs until you figure out just to cut them on the cnc. You can align things it just takes time.

I would use a 1/4" bit on a spiral ramp inside profile tool path for a 1/2" hole, or a pocket tool path. 

[brodie]

Great thanks!