making progress with the Lady...

[ricphoto]

OK...woke up at 4am to V2 being finished...so a little over 8 hrs total on this one with the speed tweaks and the size/framing change...Thanks again to all for the tips...they definitely helped...

While I like the overall look and feel better the finish on this one isn't quite as nice as on the 1st one...the 1st one had really clean corners and was silky smooth on the flats and larger curved areas...This one has a little less detail in the corners (not as clean) and there's slight tooling marks in the flats and large curves...looks like the 3rd pass (1/16th BN at 8%) didn't do it's job...

I realize I'm being really picky and that these can be cleaned up with a little work but I was spoiled by the finish of the first one...going to have to dig down and see what changed or needed to change (with the size/framing change) that didn't...

Overall still nice and will look great on the wall from a few feet away...

Blank 3 is ready so I'll check the files (gotta add a pocket cut to clean up around the inner frame edge too), tweak what I can and fire it up again...just have to remember it's all part of the learning process and fun ;-)

[arsystems]

Ric - looks absolutely beautiful, nice job!

Also, whatever the frequency readout is on the screen... multiply it by 60 and that's your RPM.

[ricphoto]

Mar 9, 2018 14:17:46 GMT -5 arsystems said:

Ric - looks absolutely beautiful, nice job!

Also, whatever the frequency readout is on the screen... multiply it by 60 and that's your RPM.

Thanks...I'll add that to my "preflight checklist" even my feeble brain should be able to remember that ;-)

[arsystems]

Yeah rather than looking for that chart every time I just bust out the phone calculator haha

[Deleted]

Mar 8, 2018 21:20:01 GMT -5 ricphoto said:

ok...right at 24 hrs total and she's done...small amount of clean-up but overall pretty happy...can't wait to see her with an oil finish and buffed out...

Got right into V2 on the big slab with the setting changes I got here...rough pass went from 45 mins to right at 20 mins...looks (and smells ;-) like 100 rpm is a little fast for the .25 EM...just a touch of burning. Have the 1/8th and 1/16th BM's set at 75 rpm so we'll see what happens with them...

been a great learning experience so far...even found out the controller will let you restart in the last position after a power outage...was at the last 1/2" of run when that happened...big relief...

Burning is because of rubbing instead of cutting, thus you need to reduce RPM, increase feed rate, decrease the number of flutes on your cutter, or a combination of the three to get to the correct chip load per tooth. If you only get burning in corners or where the bit is retracting then you should consider adding lead in and out paths.

[ricphoto]

Mar 10, 2018 14:17:16 GMT -5 @fean said:

Mar 8, 2018 21:20:01 GMT -5 ricphoto said:

Buring is because of rubbing instead of cutting, thus you need to reduce RPM, increase feed rate, decrease the number of flutes on your cutter, or a combination of the three to get to the correct chip load per tooth. If you only get burning in corners or where the bit is retracting then you should consider adding lead in and out paths.

Thanks...all good tips...I'm setting up for the next version and will try to keep them in mind...each version gets better as I try and juggle all the considerations...I imagine it'll get easier to remember all the things that go into a successful carving as I get more sawdust under my belt...

[aluomala]

Very nice work ric! You are definitely doing better after a few weeks (on the CNC) than I did after a few years. Mind you, my machines (before the Axiom) weren't up to the task.
 
Based on what you're showing, you're right: very little sanding will be required! I second the use of the brass brush. Also try to find sanding sticks (here's a link to some on Amazon), since you can get into small nooks and crannies and break off the fuzzies that don't want to let go. Sanding mops are good, but be careful with how aggressive you are when using them. I find that trying to discover the newest, greatest sanding/finishing tools/tricks/tips consumes more of my time than anything else, since I hate sanding and I like getting the best finish I can.

Allan

[ricphoto]

Thanks Allan...I found 2 full pkgs of those in one of my yet to be unpacked shop finishing boxes...along with a few dozen extra belts...they work very nice in this tight area and flats...tried some weird woven "cotton candy type rotary types and they seem to work well to...just have to watch the details...

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DWT2TH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The dense wool swab types with a touch of "rotten pumice" work well for polishing all shaped areas...

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCNHQQV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[branson]

I’ve always had pretty decent results with sanding pens. You can get them online...or at Woodcraft, but I purchase them from Hobby Lobby with their 40% off daily coupon. The sanding strips for them seem to last a while. shop.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/abrasives/abrasive-rolls-mandrels/standard-sanding-detailer-kit-course-grits-sku511000001-59842-125461.aspx?cm_mmc=PPC-_-Itwine-_-Google-_-511-000-001&gclid=CjwKCAjw4sLVBRAlEiwASblR-xsJ-AQ0ODIidN0wyvbAPBfAyhnH-FOmCdDFyFjyy4Dng1miV5VvtRoC42gQAvD_BwE