Thank you for this guide!! For some reason I couldn't wrap my head around the Kerf concept.. this is perfect and your video makes so much sense!! Thank you!
This is a great tool, and I'll be purchasing the file. The one thing that I didn't see addressed is cutting it based on grain orientation. While I realize there's always been a massive debate in the woodworking community about expansion and grain orientation, when you're designing a tool in solid wood that allows for thousandths of an inch, it matters. This should be cut with the pattern running so the kerf slots cut across the grain. That way, if there's any seasonal expansion or contraction at all, it doesn't impact your measurement. Similarly, creating joints on solid wood, the same coinsurance should be taken. The last thing you want is to send a product to a customer and have it not go together properly because you cut the perfect joint in the wrong direction.
A sheet of acrylic will always vary from one end to the other, so cutting a sheet with your guide will give a false sense of security. Some parts will fit and some won't. Best to cut the first section of the sheet, check for size and so on with adjustments, or agree on a one size fits all. I really like your gauge technique, even as far as going with 36 chances, really cool.
I'm new to Glowforge and the kerf tool seems to be what I need! One question, where in my design software would I enter the number from your kerf tool? Thank you!
What design software do you use, specifically ? laserlightdesigns.com/resizing-videos will show you how to use the information on the 7 most popular software programs we have seen makers use !
The problem is not a fault in calipers, but incorrect use of them. First, never put force on them as that will damage them over time. To calculate kerf offset measure thickness in multiple locations and average them, now cut known size slot and measure it cut with no offset. Subtract the set size from the actual size and divide by 2. You now have your kerf offset to get the size it is supposed to be by design, from there use that average thickness + tolerance to size slots correctly.
Awesome helpful video! I am buying the file :) So to clarify when I find the slot that matches the fit that I am trying to achieve do I alter the slot in the design file to match that number?
sometimes when I purchase files on etsy, my wood is thicker than what they designed it for. Do I just add the kerf to make the file big enough to fit my wood?
hmm. still a bit confusing so if I understand this right. I would need a kerf tool for every piece of material I use? How do we change the the kerf on our machine if we do? So very new to the whole gf
For a fixed blade such as a circular saw or jig saw the kerf is fixed based on the blade width that removes material. On a laser the beam goes into & out of focus, so the kerf can change depending on the lens, focal length, & focus position. For example, ideally most focus is sharp on the surface for cutting, but sometimes you may want to defocus for engraving so you have a smoother gradient versus sharp banding. If you make changes to focus or settings you may need to try a new kerf piece. If you already have the ball park setting, you could just do teh 2 or 3 close to it on a small scrap piece to double check.
I have to say you are talking bullshit about the vernier if it has a thumb wheel. This item works like the friction ratchet on a micrometer. So if you use it with the thumbwheel you WILL get the same number each time just like a micrometer. The three verniers I have all have the thumbwheel and all cost less than £12.00 English..
Thanks for making this video. It makes understanding Kerf so much easier.
Awesome,going to etsy now
Great job! Thanks for offing this!
These guides are priceless!!
Thank you !
Check out kerftool.com - it will be updated periodically and contain a ton of info to help with projects, just like these.
Thank you for this guide!! For some reason I couldn't wrap my head around the Kerf concept.. this is perfect and your video makes so much sense!! Thank you!
Absolutely ! Hopefully the file helps you and you never waste material again !
I’m with you on this whole kerf thing...
This is a great tool, and I'll be purchasing the file.
The one thing that I didn't see addressed is cutting it based on grain orientation.
While I realize there's always been a massive debate in the woodworking community about expansion and grain orientation, when you're designing a tool in solid wood that allows for thousandths of an inch, it matters. This should be cut with the pattern running so the kerf slots cut across the grain. That way, if there's any seasonal expansion or contraction at all, it doesn't impact your measurement.
Similarly, creating joints on solid wood, the same coinsurance should be taken. The last thing you want is to send a product to a customer and have it not go together properly because you cut the perfect joint in the wrong direction.
A sheet of acrylic will always vary from one end to the other, so cutting a sheet with your guide will give a false sense of security. Some parts will fit and some won't. Best to cut the first section of the sheet, check for size and so on with adjustments, or agree on a one size fits all. I really like your gauge technique, even as far as going with 36 chances, really cool.
I'm new to Glowforge and the kerf tool seems to be what I need! One question, where in my design software would I enter the number from your kerf tool? Thank you!
What design software do you use, specifically ? laserlightdesigns.com/resizing-videos will show you how to use the information on the 7 most popular software programs we have seen makers use !
The problem is not a fault in calipers, but incorrect use of them. First, never put force on them as that will damage them over time. To calculate kerf offset measure thickness in multiple locations and average them, now cut known size slot and measure it cut with no offset. Subtract the set size from the actual size and divide by 2. You now have your kerf offset to get the size it is supposed to be by design, from there use that average thickness + tolerance to size slots correctly.
Awesome helpful video! I am buying the file :) So to clarify when I find the slot that matches the fit that I am trying to achieve do I alter the slot in the design file to match that number?
Correct!
Absolutely - reach out if you need any help !
Hi, could u suggest the file for me to create like this kerf tool for a fiber laser machine?
how do I use this for earring inlays?
I understand what you are saying here but how do apply to a file?
for inlays?
HELP......I'm ready to cut the tools. They look awfully small. Is the download the correct size to cut?
sometimes when I purchase files on etsy, my wood is thicker than what they designed it for. Do I just add the kerf to make the file big enough to fit my wood?
You would be able to modify the original file to accommodate the actual material you are using, yes.
hmm. still a bit confusing so if I understand this right. I would need a kerf tool for every piece of material I use? How do we change the the kerf on our machine if we do? So very new to the whole gf
For a fixed blade such as a circular saw or jig saw the kerf is fixed based on the blade width that removes material. On a laser the beam goes into & out of focus, so the kerf can change depending on the lens, focal length, & focus position. For example, ideally most focus is sharp on the surface for cutting, but sometimes you may want to defocus for engraving so you have a smoother gradient versus sharp banding. If you make changes to focus or settings you may need to try a new kerf piece. If you already have the ball park setting, you could just do teh 2 or 3 close to it on a small scrap piece to double check.
Do you have in (mm ) not inches
Yes. It comes with a metric version.
25.4mm = 1 inch. So 0.2060 x 25.4 = 5.232mm. Just multiply inches by 25.4
I have to say you are talking bullshit about the vernier if it has a thumb wheel. This item works like the friction ratchet on a micrometer. So if you use it with the thumbwheel you WILL get the same number each time just like a micrometer. The three verniers I have all have the thumbwheel and all cost less than £12.00 English..