CNC Shark Forum

I would provide at least 2" clearance along the Y axis on one side to provide room for the cables to the gantry.

For more on table flatness, see these threads.
http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.p ... 3594#p3594
http://www.cncsharktalk.com/viewtopic.p ... 4337#p4337 (This one has a picture of what I did for the table support bars.)

I've changed the toolpaths in the attached file per my suggestions.

Your description sounds like you are doing it backwards. The first (female) cut into the base material should be a normal V-carve with the start depth at 0 and the flat depth at about .200. Also, I put a coat of clear finish on this piece before cutting so the glue won't stick as much to the face. T...

The V-carve inlay method is different. You cut the letters in the base material using the V-carve option with a V bit (I like a 60 degree V bit). Make this cut with the flat depth (F) set to say .150. This will be the maximum depth that the image is cut. I usually put a coat or 2 of varnish on this ...

I bought a new adapter plate for my DeWalt DWP611 router and installed both. Now, months later, I looked very carefully at a long 1/4" bit and saw that it seemed a little crooked. I put a 1/4" diameter rod in the chuck and checked its perpendicularity to the table. It was off 3 degrees in the Y dire...

I've found that the deflection of the Shark Pro Plus head can push the bit as much as 1/32" off the true path when making a full width cut. Especially when plunging with a downcut bit. My solution for profiles, pockets, and holes is to make a roughing cut that leaves about .030" excess material, and...

Check the set screws on the x axis coupling. Some people have found loose coupling set screws. One solution is to replace the set screw with a socket head screw that can be screwed down more tightly. Just be sure the screw lands on the shaft flat.

The carving time will be approximately inversely proportional to the step distance times the pass depth i.e. if you go from a step of.045 to a step of .015 , the time will increase by a factor of .045/.015 = 3 if the area of the cut and the pass depth remain the same. If the pass depth is also halve...

You can edit a photo with Paint, and then save as a bitmap. You can then import the bitmap file into Vcarve. Vcarve can turn a bitmap into vectors for carving, although I've found it faster to trace the imported bitmap for the few times I've done it.