CNC V-Bits Explained

by davethewoodworker in Workshop > Woodworking

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CNC V-Bits Explained

vbits.jpg
CNC V Bits Explained

This week I try to explain the differences in CNC V-Bits. They come in several different sizes and angles. The most common V-Bits are the 60* and 90* , but I would suggest in getting a 30* V-Bit if you are going to do small lettering.

If you want to do lettering or sign making, you'll need to get a V-Bit
I show V-Bits fro 18* angle, all the way up to 120* angle..I hope this helps somebody,

V-Bit Sizes

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V-Bits come in many different sizes and angles.

What I have on hand, is these:

18*

30*

60*

90* 1 5/8" diameter

90* 1 1/4" diameter

120* 1 1/4" diameter

Chart

vlcsnap-00049.jpg

I made this chart to show what the angles or degrees would look like. You should notice in the pictures, the wider the angle, the deeper the cuts are.

Preview in Aspire

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The above pictures are a preview of the carves, using each one of the V-Bits, all cutting at .05 inch deep.

You will notice that the smaller the angle, the more detail you will get for small print lettering. Notice the star shape, how it changes as the angle increases.

Sample

angle board.jpg
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I made this sample using each one of my V-Bits.

Another Sample

ford test.jpg
ford 18 endmill.jpg
ford 60 endmill.jpg
ford 90 vbit1.jpg
ford 90 vbit.jpg

The above Ford sign was carved with 3 different bits, the first closeup picture was with a 1/8" Endmill, the second picture was with a 60* V-Bit and a 1/8" Endmill, and the last two pictures was with a 90* V-Bi and the 1/8" Endmill.

The 60* V-Bit done a great job for this project, but I like the angle of the 90* V-Bit, but look close at the picture, it didn't get into some areas good. This is why you have different angles, to make the 90* V-Bit look better, you would have to adjust the vectors, or make the project bigger.

18*, 30* and 60* V-Bits

small vbits.jpg
small vbits 6090.jpg

The 18* and 30* V-Bits would work great for the above small print words, while the 60* would be better for the larger words.

90 * V-Bit 1 5/8" Diameter

examples.jpg
158 90 vbit.jpg

The Tennessee sign and the Chevrolet sign was carved with this 90* V-Bit.

90* 1 1/4" Diameter and the 120* V-Bit

large 90 vbit.jpg
large 120 vbit.jpg

The garage lettering was carved with a 90* 1 5/8" V-Bit, but I should have used the wider V-Bits, it would have saved time while cutting.

Finish

angle board.jpg

So choose your V-Bits according to your cuts, if you have Vectric Aspire, do some toolpaths and preview with different V-Bits, you might be surprise. Thanks for checking out this Instructable, and I hope it helps somebody that are just getting into CNC's

I would recommend getting at least the 60* and 90* V-Bits.