Texturing Tool

[gsmith]

I am in the process of making a sign and I want to put texture on it.

I am wondering what people use for a bit. I am looking for a ball nose bit, most of my bits are Onsrud, but not sure 52 -200 series is what I need to use.

Thank you,

Greg

[dlcw]

Greg,

For big carvings/projects I will texture with a 1/4" ballnose. For smaller carvings/projects I will use a 1/8" ballnose. I am going to play with doing some texturing with a v-bit that has a flat bottom about 1/32" to 1/16".

To get the texture you want, you will need to play with the various settings in the texture tool path dialog. You can do some pretty neat things.

[blackhawk]

I use Centurion ballnose bits and they have worked great for me.

http://www.centuriontools.com/router_bits_toolcase/index.html?cart=1296496617156384

[Big-Tex]

if you are doing 2.5 d texture just like relief carving go with 1/8" ball end
------disadvantage takes long time to machine

if you choose to do texturing tool path, depending on size of sign I have done 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ball end,, vaining bits can be used as well
-------advantage much faster to do,,,, time =$$$$$

[dvmike]

On large signs (such as 4x8) I use a .5" ballnose, and .250" or .125" on smaller signs . It depends on the size , and the ability of the bit to get between text and objects.
I use a .330 offset for .5" ballnose and a .166" offset for .250" around objects and text to keep the bit from hitting the objects.
Since I started this , I haven't used my blaster in a year. Everyone loves the sharp edges and definition over blasting.
I'll give you the entire setup including the post processor ,if you would like. Just PM me. The example is exagerated due to lighting ,but I used it to illustrate the texture. When using the post processor, you can manipulate the texture for the appearance you want.
Oh and by the way....I used to spend good money on onsrud , but the past year or 2 ,I started getting all my endmills and ball noses from EBAY for $6-$18 for cobalt and carbide.
That way I keep 5-10 of each bit on hand .
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/8346/dsc03593v.jpg (http://img832.imageshack.us/i/dsc03593v.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[phil_o]

What software are you working with?

[joe]

Gees, that's a lot of texture!

Joe

[fozzyber]

how did you do this enquirering mind want to know?

[gc3]

vcarve pro or aspire

[dvmike]

We use aspire v2. What we did to get our texture is, we changed all of the jogs to moves, and asigned a textured post processer. Run a sample piece , then adjust your stepovers, and max and min cuts !!:):)