Best bullnose/ball bit for the job


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    Default Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    I have been lurking for some time and decided to finally post a question. I am making some instrument fingerboards in fusion360. I have all thetoolpaths correct but i am struggling with the final pass. They come out real rough looking and need a whole lot of extra hand work to clean them up. My question is what bit should i use to clean them up to on my final pass? Are there specific brands/sizes you guys might have good luck using? Any advice is greatly appreciated

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  2. #2
    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    The finish may be more of a function of technique, feeds and speeds, rather than the endmill, a bullnose might be helpful, or not. What material? Width of cut? Depth of cut? Direction of cut, climb or conventional? Any cutting fluid?

    Some pictures would be helpful



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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    Jim,

    I'm using a 1/2" ball bit. The feed is 92 in/min. Speed is 1000 ft/min . For the material, I used MDF for my first test and ebony for a second test. I was able to hand scrape the ebony clean so it was not a loss. I am doing a tiny step over of .05" thinking it might clean it up better. I will post pix tomorrow when I'm back in the shop. I would be glad to share my fusion model with you if need.

    Thanks again



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    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    Sure, I would be happy to look at you Fusion model. Understanding the shape of the part would be a big help.



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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    The odds of getting anything useful from MDF are close to zero, imho.
    Try cheap hardwood if you can find some. Second hand building materials are a good source.

    The feed is 92 in/min. Speed is 1000 ft/min
    ?? Speed is 1,000 RPM maybe? That's very slow.

    Cheers
    Roger



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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    So here is the file. I probably have the numbers wrong. I need to preface that this is my first 3d model that i have tried to cnc. I do cabinet parts with it and thats it. Maybe its my fault for trying something new.

    Thanks guys

    Attached Files Attached Files


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    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    I looked at the file, I need to think about it for a bit to come up with a plan.



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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Dawson View Post
    I looked at the file, I need to think about it for a bit to come up with a plan.
    Thanks



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    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    .05" is not a tiny stepover. Try .01-.02" for your stepover.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    After running some simulations, I agree with Gerry, you need less stepover. You can speed the process up a bit by swapping the X and Y axis and that might improve the finish or at least make it easier to final hand finish because the striations would be in the long axis



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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    I didn't look at the file, but I'd definitely be running along the fretboard, with the grain.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default

    Thanks guys. Ill look at doing that. What bit do you guys recommend? The same 2 flute corebox bit or is there something else that might work better?



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    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    The corebox bit should work fine if it's nice and sharp. You may have to experiment with feeds and speeds to get the finish you want.



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    I performed some tests today. The thing that made the biggest diference was the stepover. Thanks to all that helped



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    Default Re: Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

    I find this place really tuff to compete with.
    Seriously think of your time and effort.
    They vary in thickness but top and slots are perfect
    Buy vs D.I.Y.

    Allen Guitars & Luthier Supplies

    Been doing this too long


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Best bullnose/ball bit for the job

Best bullnose/ball bit for the job