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,

Step 1: V-Bit Sizes

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

Step 2: Chart

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.

Step 3: Preview in Aspire

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.

Step 4: Sample

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

Step 5: Another Sample

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.

Step 6: 18*, 30* and 60* V-Bits

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.

Step 7: 90 * V-Bit 1 5/8" Diameter

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

Step 8: 90* 1 1/4" Diameter and the 120* V-Bit

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.

Step 9: Finish

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.

Comments

[Mitch Hore]

Hi Everyone..I am new to this CNC stuff. I retired and got bored. I'm learned lots but I have an issue matching the right bit to the letter (fonts) and size. The fonts i'm playing with are 1-1/12" tall and 1". I've tried 60 deg v-bit, 45 deg v-bit and I beileve a 30 Deg. They are all shaped correctly but the inside of the letters are crappy. It leaves an inner strip of wood which is breaks off... So after days of playing with it and a pile of fire wood, I no closer to perfection. The barrel i carve/ingraved on plywood turned out awesome, just issues with words/letters.
Any Suggestions would be appreciated. Hopefully I do not loose this site so I can return to see if anyone knows how to match the right bit too depth & font

Thanks
Mitch

[geko7844]

Hi there, thanks for this article! Very helpful for someone starting with CNC. Quick question - when adding a bit into the software, does the size of the bit matter (ie, the widest part of the V), or is just the angle relevant? Many thanks in advance!

[19mark45]

Enjoyed seeing your article regarding CNC router bits. Just got a CNC machine, know very little about it. The unit came with 3 router bits, all up cut. I have purchases a 1/8 & 1/4 inch down cut and they are wonderful. So, what I'd like to know is there sych an animal as a 90° (and other angles) down cut V bit? One other thing am wondeting if you can recommed, a place i can find the sort of fancy boarder designs that you typically see around signs? I am willing to exchange e-mail addresses if you like. Blessings, Mark.

[herrbeckmann]

Hello Dave,
thanks a lot for your explanations on v-bits!
I am planning to buy v-bits for my CNC router table in order to apply straight line v-carves to solid (non corrugated) cardboard (2.7 mm and 1800 g/sqm).
Have you ever tested v-carving on solid cardboard? Does it work?
Best
Jörg