Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: End mills or cutters for CNC Router

Hi Jack and All:
     If they don't mention the grade of carbide it is usually average.  Not the best for either high impact or abrasive but good enough for either if not pushed to the limit. Carbide used for woodwork, fiberglass, aluminum or cast iron all use the same range of grades.  The cutter shape will be really important to you.  The CAM programs just show the cutter outline not the way the cutter cuts the material.  Look for cutters with a high positive rake so the shear more easily.  Look at the flutes of a drill or spiral end mill and then look at the flats on many of the router cutters.  The router cutter just pushes the material off while the spiral fluted end mill will shear the material off giving you a much better finish and using less power.  Also, remember that when you are cutting on the bottom center of a ball nosed or square end mill your cutting speed goes to ZERO at the center  Wind them up to a high rpm for finish.
                                                                                     GOD'S BLESSINGS
                                                                                           Bill Thomas

On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:38:13 -0000, Jack Mc Kie wrote

> Bill,
>
> Actual programing isn't an issue as the CAM can be configures to compensate for any common cutter.
>
> Main consideration is the cutter or end mill and how well it cuts the wood. I am planning on purchasing a few cutters and want to get the right thing. Most of the carbide end mills I see don't mwention the grade of carbide.
>
> Jack
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "William Thomas" <wthomas@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Jack and all:
> >      If you are using a good high speed router the it will pay you to use carbide cutters of the proper grade carbide.  On some of the scales it is the # 1, 2, 0r 3 grade which is better for abrasive material.  You also could use a square cutter for roughing but you would use a different program.  If you used a CAM program that was what the trade calls a water line program ( just like the shape of a water line on the hull) you could lie to the computer about the cutter diameter by double the  amount you want to leave for finish.  This way you would have a pattern of steps up the side of the hull.  I don't know about using the same CAM program for a ball nose cutter as it would have to compensate what part of the ball you was cutting at the level of the plane.
> >                                                            GOD'S BLESSINGS
> >                                                                 Bill Thomas
> >
> > On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:30:42 -0000, Jack Mc Kie wrote
> > > I recently finished building my 42"X16"X6" cnc router. This router was built primarily for making model boat hull patterns. I have experience with cnc mills for metal work but this is my first experience with a cnc router cutting wood.
> > >
> > > I digitized a 1891 hull design using Rhinoceros 4. Boat hulls are generally speaking organic shapes with all surfaces being curved. I have cut three with pretty nice results using a 1/2" HSS ball end mill.
> > >
> > > I am wondering what end mill is best for routing out these hulls. As it is I am horizontal roughing and paralell finishing with the same ball end mill. Parallel finishing passes are at 1/16" intervals.
> > >
> > > Although I have been using a ball end mill I am wondering if a standard flat end mill would work as well or better?
> > >
> > > Any insight about cutters/end mills in routing would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > TIA,
> > >
> > > Jack
> > >
>
>

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