CNC Router Eased Edge Tooling

[Brembana4axis]

Currently we are polishing a large majority of our Eased edge by hand. This is highly inefficient and obviously creates an inconsistent finish between pieces. We have a Pro Edge that does a phenomenal job on straight pieces, but most of our work is custom L shapes, angles, and bump outs . Now the reason for doing this edge by hand and with the Pro edge is that we market our edges as not having the machining lines on the flat edge left back by the diamonds. Now I've been able to achieve this on all but the eased edge. I've tried a few different tooling brands, oscillating a fifth position, oscillating polish wheels, using clay polishers, resin polishers with no acceptable outcome. I realize that I will never be able to get my CNC router to polish like my Pro Edge. However, I would like to know what some of you guys have figured out for CNC tooling that is working out for you.

[Andrew H]

Good luck, I know there are some that will argue they can get amazing polishes off a CNC. I have yet to see it, maybe their amazing is different then my amazing. We gave up on CNC polish about 10 years ago. Our market and clientele will not tolerate it. Just throwing it out there, maybe instead of trying to polish eased edges on your CNC, you can tell your bench guys to start with a higher grit pad. No need to be hitting a eased with a 50 or maybe even a 100, especially if it's a nice saw cut. That way they won't eat into the softer minerals spots on the slab and edge will be more consistent.

[Andy Ross]

You have to be completely anal about dressing tools. Even then you will still be able to see lines. The question is will your customers be able to see the lines. I have had very very very few people who are able to see the lines even when they're looking for them. We run CNC polish as our standard polish and charge extra for hand polishing. The people who are able to tell the difference will gladly pay an extra 15 to $25 a foot for hand polishing.

You could also run four metals and then hand polish from a 500 grit up. This would give you the consistency or looking for without having to drop back down to a really low Grit. In my opinion this creates the nicest most consistent Edge.

[Dave.Scott]

You could also run four metals and then hand polish from a 500 grit up. This would give you the consistency or looking for without having to drop back down to a really low Grit. In my opinion this creates the nicest most consistent Edge.

If you and your market are this anal, this is the best answer.

We dress all of our "T" edge tools weekly and do not have an issue with lines, we have a tool dressing machine and it makes a dramatic difference.

You can still run your Pro Edge if you euro miter your "L's"

[SbergeronMG]

In my opinion.
7 years doing 60 client a week and I have a pretty good memory.
Only two clients did complain about line. For me it's worth the shot.

You.might be in another situation. My answer will.always be automation.
You can have a perfect edging with no line at all coming of the cnc router.
It's extra time and extra movement for the axis but might be worth it for.some (not for me).
I would recommend some.sort of set up like this 4 t30 r 3 diamond - a z40 pos.5 depending on shine preference or color 1 or 2 polisher.
You make your d5 and polisher oscillate, you radius will be made only need a 1500 and up.
I always recommend to put less polisher has possible. The more rubber polisher you pass the more chance you have to get that orange peel effect.

I have used a lot of brand but I could stand behind adi and Nicolai. Nicolai being my favorite.
It take some tweaking for oscillation but I had some impressive result.

[Dan R.]

Is orange peel more objectionable than shiny/liney?

[Todd Luster]

When we switched to CNC from manual, we found we were our own worst critics.
Once we took the display out that was line free and put one that was representative of what came off the machine it helped us deal with it.
Guess what, people still picked it just as often. They don't care s much as you do.
If people pointed it out or if the job was in a high light setting we usually do whatever to make it better.
We always strive to turn out quality products, but don't beat yourself up too bad for something people don't really care that much about.

[Andy Ross]

Is orange peel more objectionable than shiny/liney?

Yes, you can feel it...sometimes quite noticeably.