1/4 carving bit?

[cnc4me]

Has anyone ever tried using the 1/4 ball as the carving bit? Its an option but the machine dosent seem to be able to apply it. I applied it in designer but at the machine was only able to choose from 1/16 ball and 1/8 ball. This is my result, the arrow should not have the first dip into the top surface.

[Dan-Woodman]

Any time you do a raster carving the CW always picks the 1/16" carving bit by default. You do not have a choice on that ,vectors you can choose any one you have.
later Daniel

[cnc4me]

Why do you suppose they have 3 options for us to choose from?

[ChrisAlb]

Why do you suppose they have 3 options for us to choose from?

Future upgrades

[liquidguitars]

The old software (1.113) lets us see how the 1/4 bit will carve in designers GUI just select the 1/4 ball for the pattern bit menu, now with version (1.123) it's gone and almost forgotten, I can see no real good resion for the removal.

I use the 1/4 ball as a sub for the 1/16 caving bit on my fret boards only as a replacment at this time and 1/4 ball for manual paths typ. it works smooth and clean. I could use the 1/8 ball i guess and get the same finish but the 1/4 is more standered for finger boards .

one word of caution! do not make cuts deeper than the DOC of the carbide or you can damage the CW, this goes for the 1/16
caving bit as well.


photo of the 1/4 bit used on a rosewood fingerboard blank with no sanding.

[cnc4me]

That sure is a nice finish, the floor of the arrow came out very smooth using the 1/4 ball. Most of my projects I could get away with running a 1/4 ball and even with the stepover being larger the radius still cleans up pretty good. I have ArtCam at work and have been making patterns that would work great with this size bit but, until they upgrade I guess I will make them for the 1/16. Thanks for the feedback.