Clearing a pocket quickly

MillMage Software Questions
1

Hello,

I need help choosing the right way in clearing a pocket as quickly as possible using a flat end mill.

The pocket is made in softwood 85x105x4mm, so all is cleared in one run. The corners can have the roundness of the mill.

I like the offset pattern, it seams smoother on the machine and there is no second go making the sides even.

Here however, I can choose only to clear 50% of the tools diameter, which is ER11 close to max 6mm (I read this is a limitation done to not brake other things at the moment). This takes to much time.

In raster pattern I noticed it is possible to use the full diameter, however when this was cleared it did only make one side even and also the quality of the pockets bottom surface was questionable.

I tried telling millmagemy drill was 12mm and in that way tricked it to remove the full 6mm diameter, however, it left some wood in the middle of the pocket this way.

So what would you recommend, can you do a setting already in the pocket setting with offset which leave me without this wood in the center (because of me “tricking” Millmage) or do I have to do a second operation and clear this wood after (or before) the pocket operation?

Also, why did millmage leave one side rough in the raster pattern when I used the true diameter of the drill? Some setting was off?

A general question, there is no tool that can plunge and clear a flat surface and is also larger than the fitting diameter? I started trying to find something that could clear with a larger diameter than its fitting diameter, but to my surprise it looks like I have given up.

2

Not a good habit, although it (mostly) sometimes solves a problem, but can add a new problem.

Without seeing what was left rough, we can only guess. Got an image?

What do you mean by “fitting diameter”? There are several tools you can use for roughing out a pocket that have larger cut diameters than the shank.

  1. A 2-flute Surface mill can plunge cut if you get the right one.
  2. I just bought an 8-piece set of Cove Box (Bull) mills, 1/4” shank, ranging from 1/8” to 1” in diameter. These are specifically designed for roughing out pockets.
  3. Rough Cut mills can often permit much higher feed rates, but it is called rough cut for a reason.

Pay attention to the tool design when setting the depth per pass. You do not always have to remove it all in one pass.

3

Thanks, could you find an image of a tool doing that? Plunge (somewhat at least…) and clear effectively? Preferably with a working diameter larger than the shaft (yes thats what i meant).

4

I do not have a video, but maybe this image will help. Both cutters come to a drill point in the center, making them capable of plunge cuts. But do not try to use drill feed speeds because they will be a serious load on the machine.

Pocket Cutters
Pocket Cutters1920×1440 287 KB