PDA

View Full Version : Expensive litho



Geomoo1
07-05-2015, 06:22 PM
I just tried my first carve with the 1/32 bit on a litho... broke it at about 90% through the carve. I had the depth set to .180 with bit optimization set on best on a 1/4" corian board. Is that too much for the bit or am I just unlucky as hell? Also, when mounting the bit should you use a collar when inserting into the Colette? I sure can't afford the cost of one bit per carve.

zan29
07-05-2015, 07:04 PM
That's one expensive litho alright. It's not too much, I carve wood at 1/4" and never had any problems but than again, it's not from CW so have no idea if they're that different.

bergerud
07-05-2015, 07:21 PM
That's one expensive litho alright. It's not too much, I carve wood at 1/4" and never had any problems but than again, it's not from CW so have no idea if they're that different.


My 1/32" was not from CW either. It broke two of the three cutting edges off of the ball on the first try in oak. Mine was from Soigeneris. I do not think the tip grinds leave much material to support the cutting edges. Where did you get yours?

Geomoo1, how far up did it break off?

Canemaker
07-05-2015, 07:28 PM
My first three hour carve using 1/4" corian with bit opti at best and carving at .180 went well for the first 2 hours until it happened.
My error of course, I went to see how it was carving, and bumped the table. Snapped it off immediately. wasn't happy. Waited until the next day to make sure I cleaned everything, checked the level of the machine outfeed tables and started the carving again. after 3 hours, extremely happy with the results. Although it was a very costly mistake, it happens to the best of us. And yes, mine was the good old CW with $12 shipping, glad I bought two.

Geomoo1
07-05-2015, 09:08 PM
My 1/32" was not from CW either. It broke two of the three cutting edges off of the ball on the first try in oak. Mine was from Soigeneris. I do not think the tip grinds leave much material to support the cutting edges. Where did you get yours?

Geomoo1, how far up did it break off?

My bit was a CW bit and it broke maybe 1/4" up from the tip.

bergerud
07-05-2015, 09:29 PM
Was the carve uploaded as normal, best, or optimal?

aokweld101
07-05-2015, 10:16 PM
When doing a litho I always use it at optimal, When doing the rotary litho I got gun shy when I went though the pipe trying to get the depth right, the way it was centered wasn't right. And using a flat litho using a smaller bit just makes sense to use the slowest feed to move material slower I've used my bit for 20 carves and is still carving....that is after it went though the pipe twice spiraling into the pipe into never land.

aokweld101
07-05-2015, 10:41 PM
I have posted these before.... 7 of the 20 that I was playig around with the depth some looked not as good as these. some didn't make it. I'm going to do some more and try Dan's rotary jig. these are the ones that I was testing the depth at I finally come up with the magical depth of .113

zan29
07-06-2015, 03:55 AM
This is beautiful aok!


I have posted these before.... 7 of the 20 that I was playig around with the depth some looked not as good as these. some didn't make it. I'm going to do some more and try Dan's rotary jig. these are the ones that I was testing the depth at I finally come up with the magical depth of .113

smurfjeep
07-06-2015, 07:13 AM
I have a lot to learn with the rotary!, Really impressive lithos.

rcdages
07-06-2015, 07:20 AM
Very good.

Depth is always a guessing game some times.

Looking forward to seeing more of your fine carvings.

Geomoo1
07-06-2015, 10:03 AM
It was set to optimal.

bergerud
07-06-2015, 10:13 AM
Well, that is depressing. Sounds like the bit broke without good reason.

aokweld101
07-06-2015, 10:26 AM
Thank you, , I appreciate the good comments, but I'm learning every time I use the carvewright some how I have to learn, blender I keep falling off the learning cliff my pea brain has a hard time comprehending it...

Geomoo1
07-06-2015, 01:50 PM
Well, that is depressing. Sounds like the bit broke without good reason.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Kinda makes me leery of shelling out that kind of money for defective tools. I don't think I will be replacing it and just do with the 1/16th bit.

zan29
07-06-2015, 02:03 PM
It would be nice if CW would give send you a new bit. Maybe it was defective after all. My 1/32" bit came with my other CNC and their bits are very good. I'll try to find out who's their supplier.


Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Kinda makes me leery of shelling out that kind of money for defective tools. I don't think I will be replacing it and just do with the 1/16th bit.

zan29
07-07-2015, 06:56 AM
I found the company for the 1/32" bit that I have and it's
http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/contactus.asp

It's a 2 flute bit instead of 4 but sure works good for me. I carved maple a while back.
You can't order online, you need to request the catalogue.

bergerud
07-07-2015, 08:11 AM
I could not find any carving bits in the catalog.

zan29
07-07-2015, 08:53 AM
I emailed them yesterday and they have the 1/32".

zan29
07-07-2015, 08:55 AM
I emailed them yesterday and they have the 1/32" which is for the Icarver from General. They said they are working on a 1/32" and 1/16" 4 flute bit that should be available in a few months.

bergerud
07-07-2015, 09:00 AM
I have never seen a four flute 1/32. The CW bit and the Precise bit are both three flute. I like the idea of two flute. Any idea on the cost?

bergerud
07-07-2015, 09:07 AM
Is this it?

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/849307/general-132-engraving-tool-for-icarver-cnc-machines.aspx


(http://www.woodcraft.com/product/849307/general-132-engraving-tool-for-icarver-cnc-machines.aspx)

zan29
07-07-2015, 09:15 AM
Yes, I didn't know Woodcraft had those bits. Good find Dan!

This was their response.

We do have a 1/32” conical (tapered) bit now but it’s a two flute. We supply General International with that bit in a kit. We are working on the same version bit but it will have 4 flutes instead of two. We are working on a 1/16” conical as well but it will be about 2 months before Woodcraft Supply has any stock on them. We are working on a three piece ball nose solid carbide spiral set as well as a basic 5 piece CNC set for them as well. Again, we will have both these you are asking about soon.

Geomoo1
07-07-2015, 10:26 AM
How about these? Will they work in the CW machine? I was looking at 46291...
Amana Tool 46291 CNC 2D and 3D Carving 6.2 Deg Tapered Angle Ball Tip x 1/32 Dia x 1/64 Radius x 0.445 Cut Height x 1/8 Shank x 3 Inch Long x 3 Flute Solid Carbide ZrN Coated Router Bit
SKU: 46291 for $34.16 with $6.40 s/h. Still way cheaper total than with $12 shipping at CW.

http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6225-solid-carbide-cnc-2d-and-3d-carving-tapered-ball-nose-conical-ball-flat-bottom-end-mill-zrn-coated-router-bits.aspx?&variantids=12126,0&keywords=46291

bergerud
07-07-2015, 10:41 AM
The 46291 has less than 1/2" of cutting length and only 1/8" shank. The tip would be no stronger than the 46280 (which is a match for the CW bit) since the angle is the same. What the litho people need is a bit with 1/2" cutting length, two flutes, and a steep angle. The steeper angle would give a beefier bit.

Nice find though. I think I will order some of each. (I wonder if these are new. I have bought from these people before but do not remember those bits in the list.) Thanks.

zan29
07-07-2015, 10:48 AM
I buy most of my bits for CW and CNC at Toolstoday also. Have been using them for a while without any problems. They also have a long 1/16" that you can carve more than 3/4", the one I use.

bergerud
07-07-2015, 11:17 AM
I buy most of my bits for CW and CNC at Toolstoday also. Have been using them for a while without any problems. They also have a long 1/16" that you can carve more than 3/4", the one I use.

What bit is that? They do have longer 1/32" and 1/16" bits but they have 3/8" shanks and a steep angle (for a long bit).

zan29
07-07-2015, 11:53 AM
let me get the number Dan.

zan29
07-07-2015, 12:07 PM
It's the 1/8" ballnose that's 1 1/2" long.....my mistake. # 46282 is about 1/8" longer than the regular CW 1/16" bit.

bergerud
07-07-2015, 12:22 PM
Yes, I have a few of them. Great "intermediate" bit.