More on the CNC Frontlines

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MaineGeezer
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Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by MaineGeezer »

How deep do you mill the slots then? Do you follow the radius of fingerboard? I was milling straight across, so the slot depth at midpoint had to be around 0.145", which is deeper than any 0.023" end mill I've ever seen can cut.

{edit]
I just found one at https://www.harveytool.com/products/min ... long-reach
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Skarsaune
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Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2018 9:12 am

Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by Skarsaune »

You can follow the radius of the fretboard, so you get a consistent slot depth.

In VCarve, look for Project toolpath onto Model.
tippie53
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Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by tippie53 »

most slots are straight cut what you need to pay the most attention to is the depth at the side so that the tang sets with a little room to spare
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
MaineGeezer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by MaineGeezer »

Skarsaune wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 2:05 pm

In VCarve, look for Project toolpath onto Model.
VCarve Desktop doesn't appear to have that. Or am I just not seeing it?
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Skarsaune
Posts: 239
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2018 9:12 am

Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by Skarsaune »

Down at the bottom of the profile tool path, right above calculate.

Only shows up if a model has been brought in, though.
From their documentation:
"This option is only available if a 3D model has been defined. If this option is checked, ✓ after the toolpath has been calculated, it will be projected (or 'dropped') down in Z onto the surface of the 3D model. The depth of the original toolpath below the surface of the material will be used as the projected depth below the surface of the model."

I use different software to 3D model, then bring the model of the fretboard or neck or whatever in.
It doesn't let you spec a fretboard radius and machine it. You have to have the 3D model of the fretboard to bring in to Vcarve.

Where it normally gets used is engraving text on curved surfaces. Pretty common in signmaking, which seems to be where Vcarve started. If you use their 3D clip art for plaques, etc, it will let you engrave text on the raised/rounded surfaces.
tippie53
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Re: More on the CNC Frontlines

Post by tippie53 »

the toolpath feature lets you designate the depth on the upp right of the screen
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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