CNC Engraving: Discover the Spring-Loaded Drag Bit for Acrylic

[@divedeep2580]

This was the most helpful video I've ever watched, thanks bro, saved me alot of time and headache

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You, glad it was helpful.

[@cerberus333dog]

useful info. I am in process of setting up a engraving setup for a 3018 build for using electro etching for deep etching. using this to remove a paint/insulator to follow up with an etch process

[@D.E.Hammer]

That sounds very interesting, would like to hear how that turns out.

[@keithscrafts]

Diamond drag bits are great. I haven't got a CNC but I really want to get one. There's a wardrobe company not far from me that has tons of mirror offcuts. I'm hoping to get a machine soon and the first thing I want to try is using one of these to etch a Star Wars ship blueprint. You should look them up, I'd imagine they would look amazing backlit. I was thinking it would be etched in reverse on the back of the mirror and then have some source of light to illuminate it

[@pg9112471]

Yep drag bits are very good on polycarbonate, acrylics, plastics, aluminum and other soft materials. I had to make one out of stainless steel 3/8 rod a pen spring, a set screw and an 1/8 carbide end mill. Definitely a must have.

[@Mmamcork]

Excellent video thanks for posting as very helpful

[@D.E.Hammer]

Your Welcome, Thank You for Watching!

[@floridanative0224]

great info THANK YOU.... I learned about this bit on a Facebook page im a member of. The guy who brought it up said he only uses a 120 degree bit. I was thing more along the line of a 90, whats the difference ? you sorta talked about the 60 vs the 90. Or mybe I missed it.. Again thank you for your videos you may or may not understand the amount of help you are giving out.. If it weren't for people like you, people like me would have given up..

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You! The 60 degree is more fragile and can get a thin line. I use a 90 and have no issue, and get a very nice line. For 90 vs 120, you can get a thicker line with less pressure. Have not used a 120 to confirm that.

[@islamicrings2216]

For engraving on gemstone, which diamond 3.175 mm you'l suggest? Plain edge or 4 - 6 cuts edge of diamond?

[@ianknight2053]

Excellent, thank you.

[@D.E.Hammer]

You are welcome!

[@peteredwards2371]

Heard recently that engraving a reverse of the image on the back side of the acrylic gives a better result when viewed from the front.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Yes and that is how i engrave all mine. I kept forgetting to flip my text so i just reversed my y axis in the grbl settings so no need to reverse my text in the software.

[@peteredwards2371]

I’m new to all this so following your advice closely, thank you 👍😊

[@Superdupershaun]

Will the diamond drag blade cut Vinyl?

[@D.E.Hammer]

Not sure, be intresting to try.

[@Superdupershaun]

If anyone tries it let us know

[@obijohn1]

Hi friend Great video. before i buy my drag bit will it fit the 3018 collet or will i need to get a bigger one? thanks for any help Edit - sorry just read below that i will need a bigger one.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You for watching and yes you will need a 1/4" collet.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You for watching and yes you will need a 1/4" collet.

[@josvanhoof7616]

Hi, This is a nice video about engraving acrylc. I bought a diamond springloaded 90 degree dragbit for my 3018pro. What plunge rate should I use with this dragbit?

[@D.E.Hammer]

For plunge you can start with 75 - 125mm per minute and speed up from there as you get a feel for how your 3018 handles it.

[@josvanhoof7616]

@@D.E.Hammer Thanks very much. Do you mind if a sent you a PM with a picture from an engraving a made. I have some questions about this engraving.

[@D.E.Hammer]

I do not mind, will be on the look out for it

[@josvanhoof7616]

@@D.E.Hammer i sent you an email with the picture and some more information.

[@BillYovino]

Hi Paul. Have you had a diamond drag bit go bad? I've made a few acrylic signs using a Carbide 3D 120 deg diamond drag bit and they all came out great. Today I tried to etch a sign and the results were pretty bad. I'm wondering if there's a life expectancy for them.

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have, but mine lasted over a year, and by bad i just was not getting the really crisp looking lines. You can try applying a little more pressure or check the spring itself and see if it's lost its tension. If its neither of those, on the rdz you can purchase a replacement tip (almost half the price of a full new one), so see if carbide has the same thing.

[@BillYovino]

@@D.E.Hammer Thanks. I'm going to check it under a magnifying lens.

[@youronlinepresencepro9348]

​@@D.E.HammerThanks for another awesome vid mate! I am not sure which bit to buy... Any advice on ones you've personally used pretty please?

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have been using the one by RDZ, and really like it. You can find them on amazon.

[@aminemabrouk5118]

I live in Europe. where I can buy it please ?

[@mastkidslife6835]

Nice work bro

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You, and thanks for checking out my videos.

[@mohammadrawshdeh7579]

Hello sir. I want your advice.. am planning to start a business.. do you advice to use cnc router for engraving on acrylic .. example ( engraving personal photos.. logos.. ets) And thnx again And what is the best bit for engraving clear photo

[@warrenking1815]

Great video, great info. I am interested in the drag bit and also the diamond drag bit, I have a 3018 as well and find that there are so many things that I want to try.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Thank You, It is a lot of fun, and it opens the door to making so many different things.

[@MrCorynick]

What is the blue material that seems to be holding the piece? No clamps needed?

[@D.E.Hammer]

Its blue painters tape glued together, it holds the piece down so no need for clamps.

[@hermanarango2896]

Do you need a collet to use this drag bit? If so, which one?

[@D.E.Hammer]

It is a 1/4" shank bit, so if using a 3018 stick spindle you will need a ER32 collet.

[@hermanarango2896]

@@D.E.Hammer thanks

[@HaribandhuGupta]

Can this bit be used in granite Stone letters, name plate engravings.

[@D.E.Hammer]

I would assume it could (Diamonds being the hardest Mineral (MOH 10) & Granite (MOH (6-7)), but have not tried granite. Think I should get some samples and try it out.

[@AC-bl1rl]

Have you done this on metal yet? Any idea on the setting changes that would require? Thanks!

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have not attempted to do any metal yet. Just guessing, as I have not done any research on metal, that the speeds would be similar, if not a bit slower.

[@f1pitpass]

thanks! subbed

[@iceblulady]

Will this work with any 3018 cnc? Thank you, Deb

[@D.E.Hammer]

Yes you will just need a larger collet to hold the bit.

[@iceblulady]

@@D.E.Hammer Thank you

[@sparkfire1223]

Can these bits cut glass? Or do you need to have the glass cut to size prior to running with these bits? THanks!

[@D.E.Hammer]

Please Note I have never tried these personally on Glass. I would Say NO to Cutting, but should engrave, as I have seen others do it.

[@ruhtra-k]

I don’t see a selection for that bit in easel. What should be selected?

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have not used easel, but I would first try a vbit. Make sure to set the spindle speed to 0.

[@ruhtra-k]

@@D.E.Hammer thanks. Still learning. Thanks for publishing good content.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Your Welcome! Just remember we all had to start somewhere, and we are all continually learning new stuff.

[@rehanmaneer6617]

The last question please is it okay to use this diamond drag to make customized jewelry? as in etching on to it

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have not etched into metal before, but I think it should be ok. You need to make a jig to hold the jewelry down. I did make some acrylic earrings and they turned out well. Again never etched onto curved surfaces, so I would watch out for your spring pushing out the engraver while going to far over a curve and not being able to retract and damage everything.

[@stevesiegel7105]

How long do these bits last?

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have had mine for 7- 8 months now and it is still going. I use it almost once every week if not more. It's life span will be determined on how much you use it.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

So you let thw drag bit hit the paper beteween the bit and thw acrylic, and then you lower it 0.3mm more before zero xyz axis? And your depth per pass is 0.1mm with the drag bit, so the spring will be Pressed in 0.4mm

[@D.E.Hammer]

Yes that is correct steps. You can adjust how much pressure for your liking. This is just a good starting point.

[@jamescanada4994]

What are you using as a plunge rate in Carbide Create? with the drag bit

[@D.E.Hammer]

I started at 125mm at first now have it up to 200mm with the drag bit.

[@jamescanada4994]

@@D.E.Hammer In your video you said your using a depth of 0.15 -0.05mm? I was looking at starting with a depth of 1mm as the above is like very little if no spring load on the drag bit at all. When looking at the RDZ instructions they say feed down to aprox. .250 +/-.06 they don't mention weather it is mm or inches, yet there next line talks about running at 20 inches per minute. Like confusing because if it is inches that is way to much spring load, and if it is mm that is very little if no spring load on the bit.

[@D.E.Hammer]

Yes I set the max depth pass at 0.15mm as I want very thin lines, and have small text. After I set the Z as if I were using a V-Bit I go down an extra 0.1-0.35mm on the z axis have even done a little more, but I really like the results in that range. I get enough pressure to get all my lines, but not to little that it starts to drag behind.

[@reynaldibagass8439]

Hi sir, i want to ask, if im buy diamond from your describtion, what i get ? Are diamond shanks can i place in my cnc ? Or i must buy something to place the diamond ?

[@D.E.Hammer]

The rdz drag bit link is the whole thing, nothing else to purchase. You can purchase just the tips as replacements.

[@Burdxnboy]

sorry if this comes off as a dumb question but is it 250mm a second or a minute, 250mm a second seems too fast but 250mm a minute seems too slow so i’m stuck in a crossroad with this one

[@D.E.Hammer]

The 250mm is per minute, and is just a starting point. I give lower feeds as not all machines are built equally.

[@Burdxnboy]

@@D.E.Hammer oh okay that makes sense, i have a longmill and id assume i could maybe do 60 inch per minute

[@D.E.Hammer]

So yeah this video was for a 3018. On my longmill I run my drag bit at 900mm per minute, I think.

[@Burdxnboy]

@@D.E.Hammer last 2 questions, do you just do one pass with the drag bit at the settings you recommended and the other question is, for the dallas sign you made, for the dallas itself do u use a straight bit to hollow it all out and if u did what settings did u use for that

[@D.E.Hammer]

For the drag bit, I just do 1 pass, and with a longmill I would start around 900mm per minute. As for cutting it out and the holes, I had my makita router just past the 2 setting and feed was 1000mm per min. As for bit, single or O flute straight or spiral work great, have also used double and tripple bits, but singal gives the best edge.

[@rehanmaneer6617]

Guys im using easel and i wanted to ask what should i use for my step over rate 40%?

[@D.E.Hammer]

40% is good starting place, you can play with that setting to get different results. Lower will give you a denser look, but longer engrave times. Higher you may find missed areas in the engrave but shorter run time.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Hello, first of all thank you for this video. Currently i'm doing research for the CNC 3018 Pro because i think i want to buy this machine. Can you help me with this question: is it also possible to engrave such tiny lines (as made with the Spring loaded bit in this video) with a regular bit? If yes Which bit should you recommend me using for that? Kind regards, Lars

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have gotten some fairly fine lines with a 0.1mm 30 Degree V Bit (The main v-bits that come with the Sainsmart Machine), but it really comes down to how even the thickness of the material you are engraving. If one area is a lot thinner say 0.35mm or more than your thickest part, you will have to engrave that much more down to reach those points. So your thicker parts will have a deeper cut. That is what is nice about these spring loaded drag bits, is that they keep a consistent line thickness.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Thanks, and is it possible to engrave stainless steel or aluminium with this. If yes can you make a video from this since i cant find a video on KZbin where a CNC 3018 pro is used for engraving stainless steel or aluminium.

[@D.E.Hammer]

I have not done Stainless Steel or Aluminum, yet. It is on the game plan to get into. I will be doing a video on it when I get these next 4 videos finished up.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Thanks, i'm looking forward tonthat videos!

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Can you pls send me a link of the acrylic pkates you buy. The Amazon link in your video discription is out of stock

[@rehanmaneer6617]

Hi quick question im etching on to 0.4mm cast acrlyic what should my settings for the overall depth and depth per pass be. Im using Easel for this

[@D.E.Hammer]

Wow that's some thin acrylic, but in that case I would try a depth of cut & depth per pass to 0.1mm as for pressure I would maybe put 0.5mm to 1mm of preasure on the spring bit.

[@rehanmaneer6617]

@@D.E.Hammer Oops sorry i meant 4mm thick acrylic what settings would you use for 4mm. Im using a cnc 3018 with the RDZ engraver you use along with Easel for the program, would you put thia under the category of "end mills" or "V-Bit"

[@D.E.Hammer]

Vbit

[@rehanmaneer6617]

@@D.E.Hammer thank you so much, sorry about how many questions but what would you put for the depth cut and depth per pass for the 4mm acrylic

[@D.E.Hammer]

Depth of cut and per pass you could still use 0.1mm for fine lines and 1-3mm of preasure. For thicker I would say 0.5mm depth & pass with 3-6mm of preasure. A lot of the depth comes from how much preasure you are applying to the spring.

[@rehanmaneer6617]

What depth of cut are people using for this drag bit on 5mm acrylic

[@D.E.Hammer]

I use 0.1mm with 0.3 to 0.5mm of preasure.

[@rehanmaneer6617]

@@D.E.Hammer what do you mean by 0.3 to 0.5 pressure does that mean when u lower the z axis you lower it by a additional 0.3mm

[@D.E.Hammer]

So I zero the Z like normal, the add an additional 0.3 to 0.5mm down to put preasure on my spring. Just make sure you have what ever preassure you applied made up in the retract height.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Hello, I have another question. Since i want to make 3D led lamps with the CNC 3018, I'm wondering if the lines made with this spring-loaded bit are good for a 3D led lamp design or should I use a normal V-bit for that?

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

And which collet did you use?

[@D.E.Hammer]

So if I understand correctly if you want to do a 3D Carve in Acrylic, you will need to use a bit. If you mean you want thicker lines, I use this bit over the V-Bit still.

[@D.E.Hammer]

@@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS for my drag bit I used a 1/4" collet and bought some additional ER-11 collet clamping nuts.

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

I want to make led lights just as you made in one of your video's. You made a led light of you HAMMER emblem. I want to make that kind of engraving in acrylic. Is the drag bit good enough for making such lines, so are the lines deep or thick enough that they will light up when you place the acrylic plate in a led base?

[@LVA_DESIGN_LAMPS]

Why did you use a additional clamping nut, is that necessary or can I also only buy a collet and the drag bit or should I also use the collet clamping nut? If yes can you please send me the link for the collet clamping nut

[@AS-qi7iu]

link for bit?

[@D.E.Hammer]

This is the one I use: www.amazon.com/dp/B07DK1TWKG/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ZK9NXX13ZQEWKQZ0YNN7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@valderramabarbosaandres4011]

Does anyone know whats the name of the spring-loaded drag bit in spanish?

[@alb3593]

broca de arrastre con resorte

[@aaadeejay]

This but was a huge disappointment for me, went fully dull after one engraving. I’ll stick with my Amana 45771-k, best bit ever.

[@D.E.Hammer]

That's not good. Have you reached out to the manufacturer about it? I have been using mine for around a year and mine is still going.

[@aaadeejay]

@@D.E.Hammer no unfortunately I didn’t, first impressions of the bit didn’t seem very good, the tip was not very stable and the spring reaction was not smooth at all. After a minute or two of etching it started to make a loud screeching or scratching sound.

[@D.E.Hammer]

@@aaadeejay That is a bummer. I would reach out and see if they can send you a replacement bit, as these things are not cheap. Mine still has a solid feel and smooth movement in the spring. It is so quiet I only can hear the X,Y,&Z motors going when I am engraving Acrylic.

[@dimdimdu54]

buy a microphone ffs, nice content otherwise