Thread: Small CNC job

I'm wondering if a CNC is the right way to go. Veneer cuts cleanest with a knife, spinning bits tend to chew up the edges.

Holding it down is probably going to be the biggest problem. You can't clamp it conventionally because of the size and you'd likely destroy it trying to unstick double sided tape. A vacuum table is the most likely to work, but even they don't like small parts because it works on surface area...

I don't want to discourage you, just some things to think about

EDIT: Just had another think and you may have success with a laser cutter

CNC can work very well for this, but may require a slightly different technique.

Use a 30° V bit to cut the negative. Use the same bit to cut the positive inlay. The trick is to use thicker material for the inlay and not cut all the way through. Eg use 6mm thick material and only cut 3mm deep.

Glue together then thickness the excess material off the top.

Vectric Aspire has a tool for this and a good guide. I may not have explained it that well.

Good point. MTMwood on youtube uses that method for his custom chopping boards

Originally Posted by pippin88

I may not have explained it that well.

You explained perfectly, I was actually thinking the same, using thicker timber an having the inlay cut at 2mm thick or even thicker and then thicknessing down, as opposed to veneer.

its still leaves m with finding someone who can do this.

I might be able to get the top cut but didn't want to cut right through as a laser would, due to me already having a piece of book matched silky oak.

Anyway hopefully someone will see tis thread and respond with a job offer.