jeffreymcgrew
02-09-2008, 04:32 PM
Hey, got a question. Let's say I've got a 1/2" bit two-flute straight bit, in a router, in a PRT w/a 4G upgrade. I cut something soft with a stepdown of 1/2" and at 4 ips, and I get very little cutter flexing going on. Nice clean cuts, and very close to perfect. Now, same cut, but in a much denser multiply maple. I get a lot more bit flex, enough to make the part almost 1/64" off. This is cutting with two passes, one climb, and then one conventional.
OK, so, I totally understand that bit flex is something that you simply can't get 100% away from. But I've got three questions:
1. Would taking shallower passes lessen the flex?
2. Would a spindle and/or vacum hold-down give better results? There is a little vibration when cutting.
3. Should we just add a little offset to the toolpaths when cutting denser materials to compensate for the flex? Is this what y'all do?
90% our cuts are more than accurante for what we're doing. It's just that I'd like to get into those fancy stepped miter joints and such, and that much flex is going to be a problem...
Thanks!
OK, so, I totally understand that bit flex is something that you simply can't get 100% away from. But I've got three questions:
1. Would taking shallower passes lessen the flex?
2. Would a spindle and/or vacum hold-down give better results? There is a little vibration when cutting.
3. Should we just add a little offset to the toolpaths when cutting denser materials to compensate for the flex? Is this what y'all do?
90% our cuts are more than accurante for what we're doing. It's just that I'd like to get into those fancy stepped miter joints and such, and that much flex is going to be a problem...
Thanks!