Spoil Board Surfacing - How and Why? With a STEPCRAFT CNC

This video I discuss how to setup a tool path to surface a spoil board and I show you which bit we use on our STEPCRAFT CNC Systems.
We use the Magnate 2714 1.25" Surfacing bit.

[@rso1411]

I've watched several videos on cutting spoil boards and this was one of the most informative. Thanks for posting.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Very informative video. Nicely done!

[@MrRenoman2011]

awesome video thanks so much

[@paulleonard2211]

Nice video good content very helpful. Thanks

[@petermacdonald2283]

Great explanation of how to set up for the beginner but You are making extra work trying to find the centre of the board. Just start at the corner( I use lower left hand corner) and save machine time by adjusting the corners of your rectangle using a dogbone fillet so it just cuts into the corners without adding another complete lap of the perimeter.

[@StepcraftInc]

Hi Pete thank you for the comment. I want to update this video as I have a lot of new tips and advice on this subject. Ill be working on that soon

[@klave8511]

@@StepcraftInc : Please do the update, this is a fundamental operation. You should also explain that you can clear the material before you cut, in effect resurfacing the material. You have to have a toolpath though or the software wont let you do this. Why do you say you set 5mm/sec feedrate then type in 40. 40mm/second seems very fast for that big bit, 5 seems impractically slow. Judging by the video, you cut the width of the cutter in about 2 seconds. That's 15mm/s. Please sort this out at least.

[@Deltro61]

Why not just cut on the line, instead of adjusting the size?

[@miraclecncshop4133]

How to avoid tool mark for sufacing maplewood.

How do you fix the spoil board to the aluminium base? Thanks!

[@StepcraftInc]

Using clamps for the T slot or you can use double sided tape

[@kazastyle]

@@StepcraftInc How to use clamps if i'm going to surface it ? doesn't make sence

[@donepearce]

OK. Don't set this up for the full depth cut in several passes. Only set up for the one shallow pass and run it. If the entire board is now surfaced, you are done with minimal material loss. If it needs some more, re-zero the height and do it again. Deciding before you start that you need to sacrifice the full 1/16" is not sensible. And do ramp into it. The board will flex slightly under a plunge, and as you are creating a reference surface, you really don't need the slight hill that creates.

[@rexmikler3851]

why !!!!

[@StepcraftInc]

Why? Because it breaks the glue layer if using a vacuum table so that air will flow freely through the MDF and also it levels the MDF surface so it is perfectly parallel with the gantry. Lastly as you use the spoilboard it will get chewed up, so this process allows you to smooth it out after so much use. Hope this helps

[@alaazorba1973]

Steepcraft is disgusting and useless, I don't recommend buying it

[@lauriemattila5936]

Intro to long stop talking

[@afbelband]

don't buy stepcraft cnc its not worth the money spended 4000 dollar on a worthless cnc dont spend your money on stepcraft cnc

[@trumpetflowerII]

First 4 minutes of boredom.

[@ericunangst7980]

Exceedingly helpful. Didn't realize until I saw this video that a 5% stepover would only be an additional cutting width of 5%. Took my spoil board cut time down from 23 hours to 30 mins. Thanks!

[@jefflee3915]

Great vid. 2 questions. 1. How are you holding down the spoil board while surfacing? 2. How do u cut a t-slot with your spoil board.

[@eliasmora715]

hello... i need your help. please help i have generic 3040 cnc using vectric aspire & mach3.. all good but, wen cutting or engraving etc... mi final work is coming out 24% smaller in scale.. i cant find the set up were is this scale is off... i have been making my pieces in 124 % scale to compensate the final output.... but i hate this... that was my only way to fix the problem.. were do i have to adjust????? any idea... thanks strepcraft

[@KeanM]

This is most likely incorrect configuration in Mach3 of your motor tuning and the steps per unit of movement

[@eliasmora715]

LET ME CHECK IT OUT.. THANKS ,MAN :)

[@kimberlywilson6433]

Just got a new CNC and this is my very first cut... According to VCarve, if I select 4 passes, my machining time is 11+ hours... Is that seriously accurate?! I only want to shave off a 1/16 of an inch and I have a 1.5" diameter bit so technically can I do it in 1 pass? If I reduce it to 1 pass the machining time changes to 2+ hours, which is still pretty freaking high if you ask me, but I really have no idea what "normal" is for these sorts of things. (Note: I'm flycutting a 48"x96" MDF board)

[@golfnlilj]

Kim, not sure what router you are using, but you should be able to take 0.0625" in one pass. I run my 2.5" diameter surfacing bit at 15000 rpms and 600ipm and it does my 5'x8' table in about 15 mins.

[@Bishop0178]

didn´t mention, that tramming your machine before surfacing the spoilboard would be advisable