Newbie getting started with vCarve Pro

[ddr]

Hi Folks,
This is my first post. I figured I would say hello and ask for some advice. We (my wife and I) will be buying an older house in the spring and I am trying to plan ahead a little bit. I am hoping to have access to a ShopBot when we do. Here is a picture of the cabinet doors we want for the kitchen:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9931&stc=1&d=1277935016

I downloaded the free trial of vCarve Pro and started drawing. Here is what my vectors look like:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9932&stc=1&d=1277935167

So far so good, drawing was pretty easy. Now I am trying to figure out the bits to use, the order, and whether or not I need more vectors.

I am thinking that I want to remove a little bit of the surface between the outer rectangle and the first vector (the yellow area) so that I can get a slight roundover on the outside edge of the arch:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9934&stc=1&d=1277935662

It seems to me that a pocket toolpath with an end mill is the right choice, is this correct?

Next I wanted to cut along this vector:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9935&stc=1&d=1277936146

with the radius groove tool:
Infinity Tools (http://www.infinitytools.com/images/00-007.jpg)

Does that look reasonable, and how would I add this tool to vCarve Pro?

Thanks for your help!

Dan

[ddr]

I found the instructions for adding a tool:

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/support/ht_form_cutters.htm

I will give it a go!

[tracys]

Those are the same instructions I used. The first one did'nt work out too well. But after a couple its not too bad.

[ddr]

Thanks Tracy, I am going to try to setup the new tool tomorrow. What about removing wood in the yellow area of my picture? Is an end mill and a pocket toolpath the right idea?

[myxpykalix]

What about removing wood in the yellow area of my picture? Is an end mill and a pocket toolpath the right idea?

Take your outer most vector and offset it by a little more then .5". Take a .5 endmill and do a profile cut inside the line and that should clear away most of the material for your form bit to get in to make your edges on your outside vector.
Depending on what program you use you can make tabs to hold your piece down. By doing it this way you don't have to do all that pocketing in the yellow. What in essence you are doing is creating a cavity the shape of your part around it so you can get in with your form tool to make your edges.
Check out Whiteside bits and the numbers listed in the pic to make the edges you see for the wainscoting i made.

[cabnet636]

here are the corect scale dxf's for the whiteside door bits, theey can be used to create the tool profile for aspire,vcarve, partworks etc

hope it helps

jim

[tracys]

I made some raise panels recently and used an end mill/straight bit to clear an area. It works well although it did require some sanding in the larger flat areas. I usually run test pieces in blue or pink foam board before I start using wood. You can buy damaged sheets for a discount at big boxes.

[ddr]

Thanks for the tips folks.

I think I see what you are saying Jack, by removing the material 1/2 inch away from my vector with an end mill I can get in there with the form tool and work on the edge I want. The wainscoting looks great.

Thanks for the DXF files Jim, I appreciate you sharing those.

Thanks Tracy, I would have never thought about using foam board to practice on. I bet that will save alot of wear on the bits while I work it out.

Thanks again all, I appreciate the info.

[ddr]

Thanks all, I think I am getting there!

Here is a picture of the preview:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9977&stc=1&d=1278454445