Sandstone

[tuck]

Anyone actually cut this stuff? I have a client that needs a small sample v-grooved. I did a search and there were guys talking about maybe trying it some time ago, but no one actually cut it as far as I could tell. Any tips?

[rcnewcomb]

I have cut several pieces. It cuts nicely.
Pheasant (http://www.222artisans.com/images/PheasantLimestone.jpg)
This is cut in a 12x15" piece of limestone. I used a 1/2" V90 at 13K and 2ips for v carving. I used Vcarve wizard and limited the flat depth to 1/32". I used a 1/4" onsrud straight cutter for area clearing, again at 13K and 2ips. I used a high velocity nozzle on a shop vac to provide air cooling during the cutting.

Stone Pattern (http://www.vectric.com/forum/files/stonepattern01_172.jpg)
Cut in Limestone 12"x12". Gerber 120 degree 1.25" bit at 1 IPS x-y 0.75ips Z @13000
Cutting time, about 1 hour

Other peoples' examples: (http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71&highlight=sandstone)

[jeffreymcgrew]

Do you think someone with just the PC router could do this? Or does it need a spindle?

I read on the Vetric forums that guys are running spindles and turning them really slow, but you say you're running at 13k with an airgun for cooling.

We can do the 13k and the airgun, just wondering if a router is up for the task. If we can cut stone that would rock! (sorry, so sorry, I couldn't help myself)

[rcnewcomb]

I cut mine with a PC router.

The router did lose speed on the Stone Pattern when it was doing full depth plunges at the end of the "daily" pattern, but the cut quality was fine.

[jeffreymcgrew]

Thanks Randy! How deep of a pass were you doing?

[rcnewcomb]

Whatever is the default for a 1 1/4" 120 degree --0.36 or something like that

[jeffreymcgrew]

Thanks again Randall! (sorry didn't check what you like to be called before).

[brian]

Randall
Great work
Do you find the sandstone hard on carbide.
Would using older bits work for this or do I need a new bit??.Thought this would be a good use for all those used bits I have lying around.

Brian

[harryball]

It never occured to me to throw a rock up on the table and grind on it with carbide... hmmm. Looks great... I feel and adventure coming on.

Robert

[tuck]

Turns out that the sample I was sent to v-groove is a synthetic polymer based cast substrate. It feels hard as stone, but it's resin based, like faux marble. I'll attempt to cut it in the next day or two. Stay tuned. :-)

[rcnewcomb]

Brian, you are correct. The dull wood carving bits get moved over to the stone cutting pile.

Regarding synthetic material, we have carved on cultured marble. It carves real nice but then you are stuck with that gray substrate that looks boring. We tried some Sculpt Nouveau but never found a demand for the result.

Gold leaf on v-carved cultured marble might be interesting...