|
|
Post by RetiredAFChief on Jun 30, 2018 10:49:46 GMT -5
I was wondering if anyone has any tips on cutting MDF with a V bit? I cut a Aztec calendar and it was with a 60 degree bit with a diameter of .5625 pass depth is .2 spindle speed is 16K (I have a router CNC and its set to 5-6 for speed ) feed rate is 80 ipm (I use the hand held controller to slow it down to .7 of the feed rate, it is a Bosch router). I also set flat depth to .1. I did the 2 coats of shellac and then painted my color and let dry for a day. It turned out decent but not crisp and clean cuts. I work in a non heated or cooled garage and I am wondering if the humidity is affecting the MDF it was humid as all get out the last few days...
I would upload a picture but it wont let me says its reached it storage limit....
|
|
|
|
Post by gerry on Jun 30, 2018 17:40:05 GMT -5
You will not usually get sharp cuts with MDF. The edges are not supported. The best you can do is VERY SHARP bit and slower, light cuts. My favorite bit would be the AMANA RCK-350 with MDF knife. Not cheap, but the best MDF cut you'll get. The RCK-56 is my goto V bit. Worth every penny.
|
|
|
|
Post by RetiredAFChief on Jun 30, 2018 18:48:18 GMT -5
You will not usually get sharp cuts with MDF. The edges are not supported. The best you can do is VERY SHARP bit and slower, light cuts. My favorite bit would be the AMANA RCK-350 with MDF knife. Not cheap, but the best MDF cut you'll get. The RCK-56 is my goto V bit. Worth every penny. Thank you I happen to have that bit in a 60 degree bit I will try that. Do you have a suggested speed to run the router? Is there another wood or wood product you would suggest to do a Aztec calendar? |
|
|
|
Post by gerry on Jun 30, 2018 20:36:53 GMT -5
I run most of my Vcarves at 18,000 RPM, but 60-80 ipm for hardwood. I like using birch or maple. The harder the wood the easier it is to keep detail. Soft stuff just breaks off on the detail cuts, especially if your doing small lettering. I use birch because it's pretty dense, and I can get it locally for a pretty good price.
|
|
|
|
Post by RetiredAFChief on Jun 30, 2018 20:48:30 GMT -5
I run most of my Vcarves at 18,000 RPM, but 60-80 ipm for hardwood. I like using birch or maple. The harder the wood the easier it is to keep detail. Soft stuff just breaks off on the detail cuts, especially if your doing small lettering. I use birch because it's pretty dense, and I can get it locally for a pretty good price. Thank you I will see what I can do with that....YEA!! get to make a trip to the lumber yard :-)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2018 5:29:22 GMT -5
There are several games you can play with to sharpen edges. Priming the MDF before you cut it with paint/poly/shellac helps to reinforce the fibers and gives sharper edges. Vectric is pretty aggressive with their V-bit toolpaths so you have to force it to do other things. What you can try is a rough pass and a final pass of 0.01-0.02". Another thing you can try is a shallow outline profile of say 0.025" then a light sanding to break the fuzzies and then carve the middle out. There are several ways to do this but the easiest would be to highlight your outline edge and then do an inside offset of 0.03-0.06" so that all your lines become double lines. First you would carve between the double lines, then carve using just the outermost line.
|
|
|
|
Post by RetiredAFChief on Jul 2, 2018 13:30:54 GMT -5
There are several games you can play with to sharpen edges. Priming the MDF before you cut it with paint/poly/shellac helps to reinforce the fibers and gives sharper edges. Vectric is pretty aggressive with their V-bit toolpaths so you have to force it to do other things. What you can try is a rough pass and a final pass of 0.01-0.02". Another thing you can try is a shallow outline profile of say 0.025" then a light sanding to break the fuzzies and then carve the middle out. There are several ways to do this but the easiest would be to highlight your outline edge and then do an inside offset of 0.03-0.06" so that all your lines become double lines. First you would carve between the double lines, then carve using just the outermost line. Thanks I will take a look at this... |
|
|
|
Post by RetiredAFChief on Jul 2, 2018 13:33:22 GMT -5
I run most of my Vcarves at 18,000 RPM, but 60-80 ipm for hardwood. I like using birch or maple. The harder the wood the easier it is to keep detail. Soft stuff just breaks off on the detail cuts, especially if your doing small lettering. I use birch because it's pretty dense, and I can get it locally for a pretty good price. Thank you again. I tried the new bit and slowed it down a lot (was running 21-25K) and its been a huge difference...Thank you again.... |
|
