Plunging straight down is generally a bad idea as there are no true center cutting endmills (center point just spins in place and doesn't remove material so both tool and spindle are stressed). Either Drill a hole or pre-mill a pocket by ramping in (Carbide Create Pro only). The hole doesn't need to be the size of the keyhole tool, just as long as the center of the hole is removed and plunge rate is reasonable. Clearly, you can get away with plunging into wood, but once you work with metal, these bad habits will rear their ugly heads.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This is good info and i always welcome this! I usually stick to the same toolpaths and similar projects so this I’ll have to remember
thanks for another great video. But I have a question. I carve home address signs that are about 5" wide and 14" tall so i carve them horizontally and turn my art. Is there a way to change the direction of the keyhole slot so that it carves horizontally but is actually vertical when the sign is turned up right?
I think I figured it out. The ANGLE setting isnt for the angle the bit enters the wood. Its actually the angle of the key hole slot. So i was able to change it to 180 degrees and it carved it horizontally
I used these. Comes in a pack of two. In the video I used the 3/8” bit. I usually use this one for most signs. I’ll use the 1/2” one for larger signs/flags. amzn.to/45yJnkS
Before putting the keyhole but in the cnc I put it up to my material and see what would look best. I then make a mark on the edge and measure. That’s how I did it here.
I've been wondering what "keyhole toolpath" meant. Now I know. 😁👍
Thank you Edgar. Very Good tutorial.
Thank you Pedro
Nice tutorial!
Thank you I appreciate it!
Does it create an undercut the full length?
Plunging straight down is generally a bad idea as there are no true center cutting endmills (center point just spins in place and doesn't remove material so both tool and spindle are stressed). Either Drill a hole or pre-mill a pocket by ramping in (Carbide Create Pro only). The hole doesn't need to be the size of the keyhole tool, just as long as the center of the hole is removed and plunge rate is reasonable. Clearly, you can get away with plunging into wood, but once you work with metal, these bad habits will rear their ugly heads.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This is good info and i always welcome this! I usually stick to the same toolpaths and similar projects so this I’ll have to remember
thanks for another great video. But I have a question. I carve home address signs that are about 5" wide and 14" tall so i carve them horizontally and turn my art. Is there a way to change the direction of the keyhole slot so that it carves horizontally but is actually vertical when the sign is turned up right?
I think I figured it out. The ANGLE setting isnt for the angle the bit enters the wood. Its actually the angle of the key hole slot. So i was able to change it to 180 degrees and it carved it horizontally
Good to know. I was wondering the same thing. Used the keyhole tool path for the first time after seeing the video and works great
Hey mark, glad it worked out and thank you for sharing!
What keyhole bit are you using?
I used these. Comes in a pack of two. In the video I used the 3/8” bit. I usually use this one for most signs. I’ll use the 1/2” one for larger signs/flags.
amzn.to/45yJnkS
What depth would you use if you had 1/2 stock
Before putting the keyhole but in the cnc I put it up to my material and see what would look best. I then make a mark on the edge and measure. That’s how I did it here.