Tool to us on Hickory

[nappy1]

I'm working on a project with Hickory. The thickness is 1.5 inch. I can use a .500 tool to do the work. My question is the type. Straight blade , up-down both. Of course i'd like a clean finish too.

[beacon14]

I use mostly down spirals in solid wood. I keep the depth per pass fairly low, usually not much more than 1/4" per pass. For deep cuts like that I cut each pass both on the line and with a small offset or allowance. This creates a kerf slightly wider than the cutter which helps avoid problems as the bit gets buried deeper and deeper in the wood. It also helps with chip clearance. I often find I have to follow the cutter with a vacuum and or blower to keep the chips from being packed into the kerf.

[tparr]

How much off-set do you use? I am finding that PartWorks doesn't seem to recognize small off-sets.

[beacon14]

With deep cuts into solid wood with a 1/2" CED I'd allow an extra 1/8" or even 1/4" if there is the clearance available around the parts.

No reason why PartWorks shouldn't accept any size allowance or offset. I've done both down to .01 or even .005 without a problem. Where exactly are you having a problem?

[nappy1]

I'm not really having a problem. My attempt is to find the right tool. 1/2 inch spiral, stright, up cut, down cut, on Hickory.

[tparr]

The problem I was having was trying to wipe out the tool marks from several passes using a .005" off-set on the last pass. The PRS 32 Buddy didn't seem to move over to affect the off-set. I deleted the path and increased it to .015 and it went better.

[beacon14]

I suspect that is more of a mechanical issue than something in the software. .005" is such a small allowance that you might have been getting bit deflection on your roughing cuts greater than your allowance.

I also find that a climb cut will create less tearout in problem areas on hardwoods than a conventional cut.

[khaos]

Also, if you are have crossgrain and ripping elements that intersect you can cut the endgrains first so the rip can clean any small tearout at the intersection.

Just my 2cents.