I have years of experience with V carve and cnc, as well as other design software and 3D printing. It is pretty rare to get everything right on the first time with a new project. I think that is what kind of keeps it interesting!
Design this clock yourself by following this VCarve Pro video tutorial, though it can easily be created in Easel, Carbide Create, or Fusion 360. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dpSZ_DEYmLE.html You can download this design, both with roman numerals, as well as with standard numbers, at www.sothpawdesigns.com/store/p/roman-numeral-clock-design-file
Another great video, Damian. I had the exact same result using the upcut bit to cut the pockets for the white stripes on my American flag video. You just verified what I was thinking, that I should run a profile cut with a downcut bit first, then hog out the rest with the upcut. Some other people have been telling me there's no need to even use the upcut bit, that the downcut bit will leave just as good of a flat surface but I haven't tried it. Have you? Maybe I'll do a video comparing all three ways.
That bookcase wood looks a lot like a western red cedar. You may want to try an adhesive mask to help prevent some of burrs (still use downcut). It also helps with your painting. Do the surface paint, mask, cut, paint the letters, pull mask off. Also, as you found, hardwood works better than softwood. A small nylon brush can also help with removing burrs quickly.
Good call on the brush. That's a good idea. I have some oramask, but I wanted to try it without. The big thing is to get that downcut, which has been ordered. Getting better with painting is at the top of my priority list this year. And you may be right with the western red cedar. It was a simple shelf built by the shop class in my school probably 25 years ago, so I know it's nothing expensive. I figured it was just weathered until I started cutting and sanding, then realized it was that color throughout. It's definitely a soft wood.
Nice video. It's always good to see the failures while trying to get to the final product. I wonder if the areas where you had the chip out with the soft wood could have benefited from an application of thin ca glue to soak in and harden up wood fibers after making the initial cut? I am new to these small cnc machines and tiny bits quite a learning curve. Your final project looked very nice, well done.
I didn't. I will do that moving forward, but at the time, I didn't really know much about the 2 sided option. This is turning into a pretty popular build in my area, so I'm gonna add that to new clocks so that I can refine the process. Good call.
Should have watched your video first... went one to one with the same amount of problems you had, I mean its still good to have learned something, worst annoying for me was the paint sinking into the wood.
