How would i cut this?

[myxpykalix]

I found this and it is a dxf but since i haven't cut any signs yet, how can I know when i see a file like this one, for example, what bit i would use, how deep, and other settings to cut this? Is there a rule of thumb, say V carve letters usually use a 90 degree 1" (or what ever?) I guess i'm trying to figure out how to know what bits to use without making 10 signs till i get it right.

7054

[Brady Watson]

Here's a recipe (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/315/15365.html?1159827619#POST40966) of sorts that I came up with.

[paco]

Your CAM should tell about this with some trials...


7055

next experience comes in...

[paco]

It's mostly a matter of taste.

[myxpykalix]

Brady, thanks for the recipe, that told me a lot. I took your recipe and mixed it with some chocolate chips and all i can say, in the immortal words of Homer Simpson:
"UMMMMMM....COOKIES"!

[hespj]

"I do and I understand".

[ryan_slaback]

One other thing that you mentioned was diameter of the bit to use. The angle of the bit is the important part but the sign will look exactly the same if it is done with a 1/4" diameter v bit or a 1 1/4" V bit. It just might take longer to cut with a 1/4" bit. If the text width is wider than the diameter of the V-bit then it has to do the final pass in steps. Most of my V-carving bits are 3/4" in diamter (other than the Onsrud from Shopbot at 1 1/4") as I rarely V carve anything which is going to have letter widths wider than 3/4"

As far as depth of cut (determined by angle of bit) one other thing to remember is you are probably the only person who is going to look at the sign and realize that the letters could be cut shallower or deeper. Most everyone else will just assume that is the way it is and "that looks nice."

[jamesgilliam]

Jack, We do alot of plaques (close to 1000 now) and almost always use a 60 degree V-bit. Our customers like the deeper cut we get with it, but like Paco and Ryan mentioned watch the cut depth to make sure you do not go through your material. Looking at what you posted I would go with two tool paths, doing a centerline trace on the text and using a 60, and the wider areas on the border with a 90, but again the centerline trace there. Not knowing the finished size you are after makes this a little harder to say, but if it is big, as some of ours are, in the border area you may need to select the areas you want carved and do an area clear. James