Sean,
It took some doing to get started with the Vortex because I had just added the SLB. Some changes occurred to settings which caused issues, but the earlier thread addressed that in detail. So if you have the SLB, keep this in mind.
Otherwise, my process is pretty much what the Sienci folks posted as a first project:
I did use larger stock and made a roughing pass with a quarter inch end mill, followed by a finish pass with this tapered end mill:
Lessons learned:
1) test in cheap wood, pine works well
2) if you use the gSender’s stock turning tool, don’t go too deep at any one pass. The tool will try to cut as deeply as you tell it, which may turn out to be hard on the bit (don’t ask).
3) don’t be afraid to ask for help. The folks on this site and in the labs love to help, and really are quite good.
4) check you settings every chance you get, especially if something interrupts a process or during a bit change. Having a “low Z” will really mess you up!
