Now that I am down to getting the A axis functional I need to start preparing the drawings. I am building a 4-axis mill to do wood columns and other architectural products up to 24” in diameter and 12’ long.
The main job will doing stair end posts from red oak. The most challenging will be the transitions over .50” on Y from 5.75” square to 5.5” round and preventing tearout. Should I run as a mill or as a lathe? If I run as a lathe I think I would want to run side cutting with a 0.50” straight cut bit so I am always cutting with the grain. Once the straight cut has done all it can on the piece there are still a lot of detail work to be done and I think that a 0.50” 60 degree V will handle it. Now what do I do after installing the V to finish?
Same thing running as a mill. Any help appreciated.