[studysession]

Hi
I finally have all three axis working on my DIY machine. I need some cutting advice.

I have some MDF I am using for practice cuts. For the spindle I am using the base of a Hitachi M12VC plunge router from Lowes. The table has a cutting area of 6 ft by 4 ft. I have a lot of router bits with 1/4" shanks.

I am practicing some engraving and it looks ok.
I want to cut designs all the way threw the wood. Do I make multiple passes or do it all in one cut? Also when making a nice pretty edge how to do I do that since a lot of the router bits have bearings and won't cut down into the wood?

Sorry if these are to elementry, but I am new to working with wood like this and want to make some pretty plaques to hang on the wall. Have some friends who work for sherif's dept. and would love to make something for their office.

Thanks for the help.

EDIT: What affordable CAM softwares do people use? Everything seems so expensive.