Uneven cuts using 2 stage cuts with Easel

[stlblues05]

Hello,

I am having an issue where the bottom of my cuts will be uneven between the roughing and detail cuts using the 2 stage cuts on easel with my m3.  I have added a picture as an example, basically it seems like when the detail cut happens with the vbit it seems to be a fraction of a millimeter deeper than the rough cut.  It is a visible difference and i am trying to figure out what i am doing wrong...  At first i thought it was probably because i wasnt being careful enough when i was setting the z0 between the rough and detail cut, but that doesnt seem to be it.  Also thinking it might be the width setting for the vbit in easel, but im not sure what that is supposed to be...I tried the default and .25 in, but it happens in both cases.

Im using this 1mm ball nose bit for the roughing:

www.amazon.com/JERRAY-Carving-Tapered-Tungsten-Carbide/dp/B015C6CHUC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1NBH7KZS6N3Z&keywords=1mm+ball+nose+end+mill&qid=1564628117&s=gateway&sprefix=1mm+ball+nose+%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-3

And this 45 degree v bit:

www.ebay.com/itm/45-degree-angle-x-1-4-carbide-bits-engraving-and-scoring-tools-2002-2500-045A1/381900625921?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D506eefd2b12941e7bb3ad91823f8c420%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D233289863950%26itm%3D381900625921%26pg%3D2481888&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Ae0a12a46-b407-11e9-8e3c-74dbd1808703%7Cparentrq%3A4b1af59516c0a4e884215b4fffebf00e%7Ciid%3A1

Please help if you can, thanks in advance.

Attachments:

[rowiac]

Typically for V-carving I use a flat end mill for roughing, but I use Aspire and haven't tried Easel. I wonder if the mismatch is due to the round cut of the ball nose bit and the sharp cut of the V-bit not matching up. I would try a 1/8" flat end mill and see how that goes.

[Bruce]

Which version of Easel are you using? Standard or Pro? I think Easel Pro has full v-carving functionality. I may be wrong, but you may want to double check on the standard Easel version functions.

[stlblues05]

Thanks for the replies.

I am using Easel Pro. If i just do the v carve it doesnt end up mismatched but takes way longer to do the job. I do have fusion 360 and should probably try to get going on that...I think it is much more powerful software, but it comes with a steeper learning curve. Easel is very easy to get started on.

Ill give a flat end mill a try for roughing with some v carves and see if it helps at all. Part of it may just be because of the paper zero method that i am using.

[Bruce]

Another option for V-carving software is F-Engrave from Scorchworks. www.scorchworks.com/Fengrave/fengrave.html

[stlblues05]

Thanks Guys.

Using a flat 1/8 in end mill fixed the issue...I guess because of the small point on the bottom of the ball nose bits was causing some inconsistency when zeroing.

I would prefer that the letters just be v-carved and not roughed out. I think i will try fengrave and maybe vcarve.

[Derek the Admin]

V Carve does work quite nicely for that.

[Bruce]

If you just want the v-bit groove at the bottom of the carve cut you have to figure out the width of the tool cut (or diameter) vs the width of the letter you are cutting.
If you have a large letter size you may need a larger diameter tool or maybe even a wider angle like a 120 deg angle v-bit. Otherwise you will have to use a flat end mill to finish the bottom of the cut...as you found out.