I know this is likely addressed elsewhere, but i searched and didn’t see anything.
I’ve been through the CNC class as well as the Mosiak class.
I’ve since made a pile of files but am worried that i’m going to ruin the spoil board with my file.
Is there a way to have the vcarve or mosiak file spot checked for obvious errors? Meaning, errors that would hurt the machine, not in the overall design, i know thats on me.
I was also thinking of buying some pegboard sheets to use as a personal ‘whoops’, until i successfully cut a few times w/o issue. Does anyone know if the vacuum seal will work through the spoil board AND through a sheet of pegboard material?
I’ve always had luck with using the micrometer to measure the thickness of the board I’m cutting (in multiple places), entering that into Vcarve, then having the depth of the cut be “t+.02.” Vcarve will give me a warning that it will cut through the board, but it won’t be enough to hit the spoil board.
A personal spoil board is a good idea, but I don’t know the answer to your vacuum question. You could always screw things down.
If you’d want someone to be there when you do your first CNC work, and my schedule allows it I’m willing to be there as an assistant, that is, you control and run the CNC, and we chat and check things out before you cut. It’s your project, so think of me as “training wheels” (my friends said that I shouldn’t use “backseat driver”). Would that be of help to you?
I’m pretty sure i can run the machine, my worry was with the vcarve settings. My first attempt, i’m using MDF as its the cheapest thing i could find of a reasonable size. I had my cut through set to .751, but am changing that to .7501 per Frank. I’m also going to give the pegboard buffer a try as ‘training wheels’, until i’m sure. I really don’t want to hose up the machine for others.
I’ll be sure to comment here and let you all know how the pegboard works. If it is useful, i’ll also leave it there leaning against a wall so others can use it.
Number one tip that has yet to fail me is using “bottom of stock” as your Z. This is much safer because it eliminates the error that can occur when measuring the material itself and also the possibility of typing that number incorrectly in V-carve mozaik or fusion. When you are setting Z on the machine (Make sure the vaccuum on!) just touch off the spoil board with the puck.
The main other thing that damages spoil board is tool slippage. You can help this by making sure the collet is clean before putting the tool in, especially the 1/4 tool as its the most used it gets clogged up with excess dust and even can get burnt bits in the little grooves. blow and scrape out any of that (request a new collet if it can not be cleaned properly)
Noted! i’ll actually measure it before i go make gcode.
to be clear, you’re saying i should ensure the board is .75-.77 before i tack on the extra thousandth (.7x1) or ten thousandth (.7x01) of an inch? Or are you saying that, were it an actual .75, i should set the tool path to .76?
