I'm just getting started using my new (to me) ShopBot. I've made a nice vacuum jig to hold down boards while I machine them and that works well. I have a Porter Cable router which I bought new - I think it's the 3-1/4 or 3-1/3 hp one. Has a switch along the top to let you select 10k, 13k, 16k, 19k or 21k RPM. I'm able to make sign designs with vCarve Pro 7.5 and export them to the ShopBot. All is well up to this point.
And mostly it carves well, but it tends to tear out the wood. I'm using a new carbide, 90° bit, 1-1/2" wide bit. Seems nice and sharp. I've tried different speeds on the router but it doesn't make much difference. I know cedar is pretty soft. And I don't remember where the settings for that bit came from. Attached are photos of some carving I've done and the settings for that bit.
Ultimately I want to make signs where I paint the top after carving and sand the surface leaving just the carving black - nothing earth shattering. Now I end up with poor edges and ragged places where the woods been torn out and the paint tends to wick along the grain. Not very satisfying.
I've tried figuring out the correct settings but I'm not very confident. I could use some advice about how to improve things.