CNC Router - Strategy for cutting thick wood

General CNC CNC Routers
1

Hello amigos -

I’ve got a plank of wood which is 2 cm thick, and when I was cutting it using the router, the spindle & collet got very close to the wood surface. Fortunately, I was able to complete the cut - but whew - it was close.

Can someone suggest strategies for next time? I have 4 large planks of wood at this thickness, so would love to make it comfortably work.

Some ideas:

  • Buy thinner wood slices (next time)
  • Use a different tool for cutting (boo! that’s one of the purposes of the CNC)
  • Carving a trough for the spindle to be able to sink into (would only work for certain designs)
  • Taller bits / extensions ?
  • What else?

IMG_3866
IMG_38663024×4032 1.66 MB

Thank you!

// JRO

2

Part of Gcode is tool change. I’d do most of the work with the shorter tool (less flex, can move faster) and then finish up with a longer tool (probably with slower feed for lower chip load).

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3

All of my bits are about the same height - do you have a suggestion for taller bits, for cutting thicker wood? I’ve got a 1/8" and 1/4" collet.

4

Garr Tools makes some excellent quality “long reach” tooling — I have their 1/8" 2-flute tool, and it has worked quite well for me.

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5

Link to Garr:

https://www.garrtool.com/end-mills-extra-length/

I see they have 2" and 3" OAL 1/8" end mills available, including ball nose.

Note a trade-off: Carbide helps a long tool not flex, but also carbide snaps easily. If you have play in your spindle mounting, you can snap carbide very easily. HSS is more forgiving because it is more flexible, which is also why it can imitate a wet noodle when it’s long. :smiley:

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