5-11-2023 Q&A: Chamfer Toolpath, Changing Start Depth, Birdhouse Design, SketchUp Faces, Pilot Holes with V Bit, Upcut End Mill Usage, Identifying Worn Bits, Saving Diamond Pattern as Template

In our May 11th Q&A Meetup, we navigated through a diverse array of CNC queries, offering targeted advice to elevate your crafting game. Highlights included mastering the chamfer toolpath for shield projects, adjusting start depths for final profiles, and integrating creative elements like birdhouse faces into designs. The session also covered practical SketchUp solutions, setting pilot holes with V bits, and the efficacy of upcut end mills for pocketing and roughing. Attendees learned about recognizing tool wear, saving and resizing templates for projects like meat tenderizers, and much more. This meetup was an invaluable resource, packed with technical tips, software insights, and innovative project ideas, ensuring participants left with a wealth of knowledge to apply to their CNC endeavors. Whether you're troubleshooting a specific issue or seeking inspiration for your next project, this session has something for everyone.

Questions Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:01:11 - Help using the chamfer toolpath on the edge of a shield project.
• 00:06:41 - Would it be okay to change the start depth on the final profile?
• 00:08:42 - How to create a birdhouse with a face on it?
• 00:21:20 - How to get faces back on SketchUp?
• 00:29:47 - Any recommendations on how to set a pilot hole with a V bit or what the formula is to find the right angle bit?
• 00:53:42 - Can an upcut end mill be used for pocketing toolpath and roughing toolpath?
• 00:54:20 - How do you know if your bit is bad after using it for awhile?
• 01:02:19 - Last Q&A showed a diamond pattern for the meat tenderizer, How do you save that as a template and can it be resized?

Keywords:

chamfer toolpath, shield project, start depth adjustment, birdhouse design, SketchUp, pilot hole with V bit, upcut end mill for pocketing, tool wear indicators, diamond pattern template, resizing templates, material setup, toolpath color indicators, cutting slots, photo to 3D model conversion, intersections and open vectors, Vectric Aspire, CNC troubleshooting, acrylic cutting tips, feed and speed for acrylic