Lithopane comparison between 1/16" and 1/32" bits

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I purchased a 1/32" ball tip bit from Soigeneris to see if I could get finer detail in a carving. I cut the same photo with a LHR supplied 1/16" carving bit and this new 1/32" bit, both at the highest level. The results were surprising. In short, the 1/32" bit did exactly what I thought it would - it cut with much more detail into the carving. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as nice. WHAT!? My guess is that the software is set up to optimize the look of a 1/16" bit carved lithopane and using the 1/32" bit introduces an artifact that looks like you used Photoshop and over did the Sharpen tool. The 1/16" bit is smoother and more pleasing, and looks more like the original photograph. You can see in the attached photos.<br>
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How the 1/32" carving bit does on other carves and other patterns I have yet to find out so I still have some experimenting to do, but for the lithos, I'll stick with a sharp 1/16" carving bit.<br>
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