Just upgraded to Designer 3- getting message that carve is too deep to carve?

[Underdog]

I just upgraded to Designer 3 so that I could carve to that two inch depth I saw advertised.
But I have a MPC file that is 1.375 deep with a pattern 1.259 deep, and the software is telling me it's too deep to carve?
Have I misunderstood something here? Are we not able to carve that deep? :confused:

[bergerud]

What pattern bit have you assigned to the board? It has to be a deep bit.

[fwharris]

Have you changed the bit to the longer bit?

[Underdog]

Um... no, didn't think of that. Must be the problem. Thanks for the help!

But even the normal 1/16" bit should do the job. There's no steep cliffs on this thing. I haven't actually placed the bit along the original pattern to check for interference from the head though.

[fwharris]

The maximum depth for the regular 1/16" bit is 0.800 inches. I guess we would have to see the project to tell for sure..

[Underdog]

It's two halves of a rifle butt stock. The right half is just half moon cross section. The left half has the cheek rest on it, and bumps the pattern up from 3/4" to 1-1/4" inch. Of course all the curves are fairly gentle, and like I said, there doesn't seem to be any steep cliffs....

I think I have a screen cap.... Ah yes, here we go...

78906

Oh. I guess I should ask where to get the new bit? Will it work with the Rock Chuck? Or do I need to buy a CarveTight chuck too?

[bergerud]

I do not think the deep bits work very well with the Rock chuck. Do you have the 1/4" or the 1/2" Rock?

[Underdog]

I have the 1/2" Rock with the adapter.

[bergerud]

I have the 1/2" Rock with the adapter.

You may be able to use the deep bits with the CT adapter. You will have to move the CT adapters down on the bits. The problem is to fit the bit between the Rock and the bit plate. The bit has to be above the bit plate for the touch.

What is the distance from the bottom of the Rock to the bit plate when the truck is all the way up?

[Underdog]

Don't know. I'll have to check tonight...

And by "adapter" I mean a 1/4" split collet to make 1/4" bits work in my 1/2" Rock Chuck. At this point, I'm not sure where I bought the collet.

What is the overall length of the "long 1/4 ballnose" and "long 1/8" ballnose" bits? And what is the actual cutting edge length.
I can't see those things specified anywhere that I could see. I'm just wondering if I could use one of those Beckwith Decor carving bits... http://www.beckwithdecor.com/index_files/Tooling.htm

[Underdog]

The distance from the bit plate to the bottom of the rock chuck with the head all the way to the top of the Z axis is 2-7/8". To the bottom of the 1/4 collet is 2-19/32" (approximately).

[bergerud]

I think it could work. I would recommend you use the CT adapter directly in the 1/2" Rock. You would have to heat the CT adapter and slide it down the bit shank 1/4" or so.

[bergerud]

Here is a picture I posted once before. I think the adapters will have to be moved a little.

[Underdog]

Ah! Thanks. I looked but just couldn't remember where I saw that!

Your pictures shows the top of the adapter flange right at 2-3/4". Seems like that will give me 1/8" clearance... Should be enough without moving the collar, don't you think?

[bergerud]

1/8" should be good enough. Let us know how it goes.

I have to say that something here does not add up in my understanding. The deep bits just fit above the bit plate with the CT. I always thought the CT was at least 1/2" higher than the Rock. Is there a difference between the 1/2" Rock and the 1/4" Rock. Is it the 1/4" Rock adapter that makes it lower?

[Underdog]

Probably. It does stick down another almost 5/16".

[Underdog]

Oh wait. Do you mean the 1/4" split collet that goes into the 1/2" Rock? Or some kind of an adapter for the 1/4" Rock Chuck to fit on the spindle?

[bergerud]

No, I just thought the 1/2" Rock and the CT were basically different by around 1/2". You will have to report when you get this set up working. Many with Rocks will be interested.

[Underdog]

Well I just found out why my chuck will work with the long bits... It's actually the CT chuck. I was perusing my orders and found the receipt for it. Doh! I guess I actually bought the Rock Chuck collet to go with it.

Well I just pulled the trigger on the longer bits. So we'll see if I can carve that 1-1/4" deep carve or not.

[bergerud]

If you have the CT, you will have no problem!