The preceding methods are great for simple joinery, but professionals and hobbyists often require more complicated joints to make their finished products one-of-a-kind. This is where CNC machining comes in. 3-axis CNC machines cut joints relatively quickly that may otherwise be tedious to cut using standard shop tools.

Cnc in woodworkingprojects

CNC joinery requires using router bits that place force on your workpiece, so sturdy fixturing is necessary. Additionally, you may encounter a tear out with router bits, but sharp tooling and tweaking feed rates can help minimize this issue and ensure you get the proper chip load during cutting.

If you apply a finish to any parts, such as paint or wax, it can prevent joints from connecting. Any finishing jobs should be considered when machining joints on routers.

WoodCNCmachine for beginners

At Laguna Tools, we offer multiple ideal CNC machines for wood joinery, such as SmartShop Series. To learn more about CNC joinery and our lineup, contact us today.

A specific example can help you better understand the benefits of CNC joinery. In the below image is a corner joint with the edges attached to form a right angle. This is a finger joint tenon, one of the simplest compatible tenons. The joints are exposed at the corners, leaving ample surface area for glue. This design is a prime example of 3-axis joinery. In joining wood edge-to-edge (end-to-end), you can achieve a more decorative appearance and ensure the pieces resist pulling apart. In the other image is a lapped dovetail, in which the back edge of the joint would be a straight line. The precision of a quality 3-axis CNC router empowers users to realize the accuracy necessary for this joint.

Cnc in woodworkingfor beginners

Router bits can’t reach the inside corners of square pieces, so all CNC joints require rounded corners. You must also ensure the router bit stays moving when cutting out corners; if the tool sits in one corner for too long, it generates excessive heat and wear and tear.

WoodCNCmachine 4x8

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

BestCNCmachine forwoodworking

The newly redesigned IRWIN Accessory Storage Cases are visibly better. They have clear lids for easy viewing of content and are stackable for easy traveling and storage. They feature a patented bit-bar design for easy bit removal and customizable assortments of the wood drill bit set.The new SPEEDBOR Spade Bits now last 2 times longer and cut 2 times faster on average vs IRWIN SPEEDBOR prior generation in 1-3/8-inch Oak. The drill bit sets are designed with chamfered cutting edges for durability and feature a patented Blue-Groove design for chip removal.

CNCRouter

Neglecting to program clearance leads to improper mating of joints. Clearance can be tight because the accuracy of CNC machining, combined with sharp tools, should deliver the ideal fit. If it’s too tight, increase the clearance slightly on each side.

In woodworking, joinery is the method of connecting multiple pieces of wood. Joinery is critical to manufacturing cabinets, furniture, doors, windows, flooring, and more. For beginner projects, joinery may involve glue, nails, and screws, but for advanced woodworkers like you, more complex applications require intricate joints. CNC machines are a tool of choice for many woodworkers because they enhance many processes, including solid wood joinery. Discover the benefits of CNC joinery and the aspects to consider for woodworking projects.

The newly redesigned IRWIN Accessory Storage Cases are visibly better. They have clear lids for easy viewing of content and are stackable for easy traveling and storage. They feature a patented bit-bar design for easy bit removal and customizable assortments of the wood drill bit set.The new SPEEDBOR Spade Bits now last 2 times longer and cut 2 times faster on average vs IRWIN SPEEDBOR prior generation in 1-3/8-inch Oak. The drill bit sets are designed with chamfered cutting edges for durability and feature a patented Blue-Groove design for chip removal.

Be cognizant of joint positioning concerning the outer edges of a part. A combination of your CNC router and solid fixturing ensures the edges and ends of each piece line up.

How to usecnc in woodworking

Don’t rely on DIY techniques for wood joinery. If you want to achieve these types of solid wood joinery and more, numerous CNC machines enable precise and consistent routing. From strength to appearance to flexibility, the characteristics of outstanding wooden joints are possible with CNC machines.

When programming a toolpath for your project, you do it for a particular wood thickness. If you don’t account for different thicknesses, joints may not fit properly. Compensate for these discrepancies with parameters like “Stock to leave” and “Floor to leave” on the CAM software.