Is there any point to it? Finer detail? Example: I use a 1/4" Down-cut EM to make my pocket around the model, then use the same bit for 3D Roughing. Then, I use the 1/8" BN bit for 3d finish...if I then chuck up a 1/16" BN to do a second 3D finish is it cleaning the model up and/or giving the model a finer detail? I have set up a few carves in VCarve this way and run the preview but was wondering if it's a waste of time and doesn't really make a difference on the actual carve if I ran it as such. I hope my question makes sense lol. Thanks in advance for any input.
That rather depends on the detail in the design. You might even be able to go straight to the finer bit - again depending on how much you have left to cut after the roughing pass. Alex.
Your question makes sense. It will depend on your model. If your 1/8" bit can get into all the nooks and crannies then there's no need. If, however, there's some really fine detail where the 1/8" bit is too big to get to, then you might want to. Or you might be satisfied without that detail. You'd be adding a lot of machining time. You can mitigate this by constraining the 1/16" toolpath to only sections that need it though. Personally, I'm happy with what a 1/4" roughing and an 1/8" finish pass can achieve. The only time I use anything smaller is when I'm doing inlays or carving text. Check out sanding mops. They work great for cleaning up 3d carves.
