carving tools
3/24/15
Now that I can cut a straight line, I'm looking to starting a little simple carving with my machine. The first thing I'm going to "carve" are some sloping drain channels in a countertop. Super complex, I know but I figure it's a good place to start!
I've seen a lot of people mention "ball nose" bits for this kind of thing and a lot of other carving applications. Do you guys mean a ball nose tapered bit that has spirals on it, or a straight shank with an actual ball at the end of it?
I'm planning on making these channels about 5/8" wide and just sloping them downward. Would it make more sense to get a 5/8" bit or to get a smaller one and allow the bit to stepover and get the necessary width?
3/25/15 #2: carving tools ...
Website: http://mcgrewwoodwork.com
you can use both either way. tapered ballnose bits will give a little "slope" in the wall bit for a tapered flute like a drainboard a regular Ballnose bit will do fine..
what software are you using will it allow a tapered flute tool path ?
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3/25/15 #3: carving tools ...
Thanks Jim. I'm using Alphacam, so I don't think there will be an issue.
I'm guessing the tapered ballnose will be a little more useful down the road so I'm leaning that way.