Bits / Workshop reference
V-bits & engraving tools
Match included angle and tip geometry to lettering, grooves and controlled engraving depth.
In everyday language
See why deeper letters become wider
A V-bit makes a groove that widens as it goes deeper. Its included angle is the full angle across the V.
Draw the cross-section of a letter groove. With an ideal sharp 90-degree V, a depth of 1 mm produces a width of 2 mm. This is geometry, not a cutting-depth recommendation.
What to notice: Real tips may have a flat or rounded end. Uneven wood or a wrong height reference changes the width.
Can you choose a letter width without checking the tip and depth?
No. The tool shape, depth and surface position work together. Check the actual tool drawing and preview.
No need to know the vocabulary first
A few words, explained
- Collet
- The gripping sleeve that holds the shank of a cutting bit.
- CAM
- Computer-aided manufacturing: software used to prepare the machine's cutting movements.
- CNC
- Computer numerical control: a computer directs a cutting machine.
- Stock
- The wood or other material you start with.
How it works
A V-shaped cutting envelope widens as it goes deeper. A flat or rounded tip changes the width-depth relationship compared with an ideal sharp point.
When to consider it
Use a correctly modeled engraving tool for lettering, decorative V-grooves or chamfers where the manufacturer approves that operation.
Where it does not apply
An included angle is the angle across the entire V, not one side. A fragile engraving tip is not a general roughing tool.
Before the first cut
- Record the full included angle, tip flat or radius and maximum cutting diameter.
- Prepare a consistent stock surface and use the same Z reference in CAM and on the machine.
- Check the deepest and widest regions in the preview; a geometric answer does not establish a safe pass depth.
Review collet engagement & stickout · Review material setup & zero
If the result looks wrong
Stop the machine and make it safe to inspect before checking the tool or workpiece.
Letter widths vary
Check surface flatness, stock movement and Z zero before changing the artwork.
Groove is wider than expected
Verify included angle, real tip shape and actual depth.
Use the matching calculator
Calculator outputs describe geometry, time or cost—not permission to operate at those values.
Make the setup repeatable
In Machine & Bit Settings, keep these details in the standard fields, additional fields and setup notes. Record a test date only after testing that exact setup.
- Included angle and tip geometry
- Surface preparation and Z reference
- Measured test groove width
No cutting settings are automatically supplied or saved by this guide.
References & exact specifications
These public references explain the tool families or software features. Locate your exact part number and machine manual before setup; product families are not interchangeable.
Guidance reviewed September 2026. Diagrams are original simplified explanations, not manufacturer drawings.