VCarve inlay redwood breaking off

[dbrannen]

I was wondering is anybody has any ideas for curtailing the breaking off of small pieces when doing a vcarve inlay. Bits are a 0.25 em for the clearing passes and an 18 degree vbit for the final edge cutting. Slowed them both way down to 1.5 inches / sec feed rate and 1.2 inches / sec plunge.

Small bits of ends and little details are breaking off. I realize it may just be the nature of the beast when working with a very soft material such as redwood but I am hoping somebody has a trick of the trade they can pass on.

Thank you in advance for your help!

David

[coryatjohn]

I'm no expert by any stretch but what I do with soft woods is finish them first. That strengthens the wood and gives it a solid surface. Keeps the strings and tear outs down.

[scottp55]

Perhaps look in the Vectric Forum.
Lots of talk and threads about Paul Zanks(RIP Paul) VInlay methods.

One of the guy who does a lot in Redwood and other softwoods(and All kinds of wood for the colors of multiwood carves) is laflippin;
https://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38368&p=279521#p279521

IF this is concerning the Male inlay and the start depth problem, then jimandi has made a Gadget just for this problem(I haven't used it yet...just mentioning);
https://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=38368&p=279521#p279521

All of mine are years ago, and softest wood I used was Cherry, so can't give any personal experience, except feeds still sound high, and use Sharp Clean bits!
Some VBits have a very aggressive grind, so on a recommendation years ago, I started using a conical Onsrud 60 degree Engraving bit with a .005" flat.
.005" flat seemed to chip out less, and Way smoother pockets!
Carving the VBit path first(and THEN the Clearing) has been recommended many times and works well as there's more support when it's a full board.
scott

Moderator!
Using Firefox, I can sign in, BUT immediately shows I'm NOT signed in when screen pops up???? :(
Had to go use Edge (which I dislike!) just to post this.
Could you please check into it?
Going to a secure HTTPS would also be nice.
scott

[coryatjohn]

Going to a secure HTTPS would also be nice.

Yes! Let's join the 21st century already.

[rcnewcomb]

> working with a very soft material such as redwood

Apply sanding sealer on redwood the day before cutting. I use MinWax sanding sealer that I picked up a a big-box hardware store.