Build Thread- Dan's second build

[Dan-t]

Greetings All: Thought I would show off new build. Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated

[GeeksGoneBad]

Hard to believe noone's posted looks great to me! You should attach an mp3 of how it sounds too - but it's just as sweet! nice work!

I'm getting ready to start a guitar on my CNC - what apps are you using for design and CAM?

[Dan-t]

Thanks for the comments, I use an OLD version of autocad. Then go to
Vectric 5, use Mach3 to cnc. This was an educating experience, after a lot of trail and error, but very satisfying. Don't know that much but I will be happy to help you with you project.
Regard
Dan-t
dansplace@verizon.net

[Boltz]

Hey, nice work!

Just curious, do you use carbide bits, and do they cut cleanly? I've heard that steel bits cut cleaner when freshly sharpened. I'm getting set to start cutting some maple for the first time.

Also, do you use a moisture meter?

Thanks for the inspiration!

-Jim Hart

[cmjohnson]

I have completely replaced every standard type router bit (both HSS and what the woodworking industry calls a "carbide" bit) with 2 flute uncoated carbide end mills.
I prefer the Ultratool brand.

They outperform any regular router bit you've ever seen, by a huge margin. I will never,
ever go back to using mere router bits when the cutter shape I need is available in a
2 flute carbide end mill.

The woodworking industry is starting to understand this. They are adopting end mills
and end mill derived cutter designs as the high performance cutter option.

Stick a good 2 flute carbide end mill in your router and start routing a project and you won't believe how easily it removes wood, and the finish it leaves is very clean. It cuts
so easily you will wonder if you forgot to install a cutter.


CJ

[Boltz]

Did you also try 4 flute? I agree that in my wood cutting experience so far solid carbide bits from top manufacturers like Onsrud and Amana have provided superior performance. I don't try to pinch pennies on tires either!

The only reason I ask is that I stumbled upon a discussion yesterday that was talking about the effect of moisture content on machinability of maple, and somebody claimed that a freshly sharpened HSS tool cut cleaner than carbide at first, but (obviously) not for long. Another point mentioned was that tearout and tool wear increases at moisture content below about 7%.

I'll find it all out as I go along, but one thing I know for sure is that the first time I load up a beautiful piece of bird's eye like you used for that guitar I'm gonna have to take a deep breath before I press cycle start!

-Jim Hart

[cmjohnson]

The advantage of 4 flute cutters is, of course, a smoother cut surface. But the disadvantage is that you don't have the chip clearance of a 2 flute cutter, and this kind
of negates the advantage of being able to hog the wood at "oh my god" feed rates by
using a 2 flute cutter with lots of relief and space for chips, while running it at very
high RPMs (14,000 or more in many routers), which by itself ensures clean cuts.

I've tried up to 6 flute carbide cutters, and the more flutes, the less I like the cutting
performance when using it in a router, guided by hand. I need more feed pressure and
have more chip clearance issues as the flute count goes up.

With just 2 flutes, the total performance is like a dream. Feed pressure feels like there's
no cutter installed. Chips evacuate themselves, especially if you have a vac attachment on the router. You can hog more wood in a given time, and the surface finish is excellent. There's also less frictional burning with a lower flute count.

I like no more than 3 flutes for any wood cutting. This applies regardless of whether the cutter is in a router or in my mill.


CJ