All, I'm sorry for the noob question but I'm at a dead end and need some veterans. I have the Lead 1515, using DeWalt router, OpenBuilds probe, and VCarve Pro. For a noob I think I'm doing ok as I a bunch of test carves well and learned from each. My problem is I'm cutting a 0.24 inch thick Christmas ornament. I measured the thickness with a digital caliber so I know it is 0.24 in thick. I performed a rough pocket carve with 1/4 end mill with no issue, but when I go to do the clean up with a 1/16 it will not carve all the way through. I've set the cut depth to 0.25 and even 0.27 and still nothing. I've flattened the spoiler with a 1 1/2 in bit and use the probe to do all must zeroing. I even zeroed my Z using the paper technic. No matter what I do the 1/16 end mill will not cut through. I'm missing something and I just do not see it. I'm a true noob to this. I've been carving for 2 months and only did some ornaments for my wife, words, and 5 point stars, so please do not feel you are belittling me if you respond as if I'm at year old. I know the answer is something simple and I'm going crazy that I can't figure it out. I didn't remove it from the board so I can test any thoughts posted here and don't care if it gets messed up. I need wisdom so send it over. Thanks, maestro
Posting your Vcarve file would be the easiest way to let us see what you have done. Alex. PS what version of Vcarve pro?
Nothing wrong with your Vcarve toolpath that I can see - the only thing I can think of is that you didn't set the Z zero correctly for the 1/16th bit, as the 1/4" bit cut all the way through, but the 1/16" bit didn't. Alex.
Alex, I hear you, so later on I'll try to create a video showing what I do. I hear you, but I feel I'm not. To your point should I use the probe or paper technique for the Z? When I probe I make sure it says 1/16, but I'll show that in the video. I could be missing something, so tell him how you want it and I'll do it. Just want to take any noob issues out of the picture. Thanks
You only need to reset Z zero when you change tool. X and Y are set at the centre of the bit, so changing to a different diameter bit doesn't change those settings. as long as you still have material surface to zero to (you have in your design) you can use either a probe or the paper method. Also check that your bit is secure in the collet - I have known the bit to move up slightly if it's not really tight. Alex.
So, I only ask this because I have made this mistake with small endmills when zeroing the Z on top of the work piece. When you put the small endmill in the chuck and re-zero the Z axis, does the endmill stick out far enough to actually reach the waste board so it can cut all the way through? After zeroing I will jog over to a spot where I can jog the endmill down to the waste board just to make sure I will cut all the way through. There has been more than one time that I forgot to do this and the Z axis tried to cut through, but the gantry bottomed out before the endmill reached low enough which cause the Z to miss some steps and therefore was never able to cut through.
Alex I'm sorry as I've been busy at work and family so I'll try to get that video soon. Giarc, That is a great point and wouldn't have even thought about that. Technical my lead 1515 does not have a switch to stop it from bottoming out and probably messing up the hardware, but I do remember reading about soft limits. To your point this could be the issue. I will look into that first before the video as the bit is still in the router. Man I hope this is it. Thank you both for the tip.
<Solution> Giarc was correct.... My bit was too far in, so I was hitting the soft limits. It wasn't able to go down any further. Once I pulled the bit down and confirmed it could reach the waste board the job went well. Thank you both Alex and Giarc
