How to Do a V-Carve Sign on the CNC Router

V-carving uses a V-shaped bit to cut tapered grooves — wider cuts are deeper, narrower cuts are shallower. The result is clean, sharp lettering that looks hand-carved. It's the go-to technique for wooden signs.

What You Need

• CNC router with at least 200×200mm work area
• 60° or 90° V-bit (60° gives sharper detail, 90° is more forgiving)
• Wood: MDF, pine, or hardwood — MDF gives the sharpest results
• CAM software: Vectric VCarve or Aspire (this guide uses VCarve Desktop)
• Workholding: clamps or double-sided tape

Bit Selection

Step 1 — Design in VCarve

1. New File → set job size to your stock dimensions
2. Create Text tool → type your text → choose font
3. Serif fonts (Times, Garamond) show V-carve depth variation beautifully
4. Script fonts work great but need slower feeds
5. Avoid very thin stroke fonts — they carve too shallow
6. Resize and position the text
7. Optional: add a border or decorative vectors around the text

Step 2 — Create the V-Carve Toolpath

1. Select all vectors to carve
2. Toolpaths → V-Carve / Engraving
3. Select your V-bit from the tool database (or create it)
4. Flat depth: leave at 0 for pure V-carving, or set a small value (0.5mm) for a flat-bottomed look on wide areas
5. Preview the toolpath — check that all letters look correct
6. For wide open areas between vectors, enable Clear Pocket with a flat endmill pass first, then V-carve the edges

Step 3 — Generate and Post-Process

1. Calculate the toolpath
2. Post-Process → select your controller (GRBL, Mach3, etc.)
3. Save the .nc or .gcode file

Step 4 — Machine Setup

; Set XY zero at bottom-left of stock
; Set Z zero at the TOP of the stock surface
; V-carving zeroes Z on the material surface, not the wasteboard

1. Clamp stock securely — V-carving puts lateral force on the material
2. Zero X and Y at your chosen origin
3. Zero Z carefully at the surface — use a piece of paper to find contact
4. Run the file

Feeds and Speeds for V-Carving

Finishing the Sign

1. Sand lightly with 220 grit across the surface — avoid sanding inside the grooves
2. Paint fill: brush acrylic paint into the carved areas, let dry, sand the surface flat to reveal crisp filled lettering
3. Oil or varnish the surface
4. Alternative: spray paint the whole sign one color, then V-carve — the carve reveals the bare wood underneath

Common Issues

Fuzzy edges on wood grain — climb cut the vectors. In VCarve, enable the climb cut option in the toolpath settings.

Text too shallow — either the font strokes are too narrow for the bit angle, or Z zero is set too high. Try a 60° bit for finer work.

Chatter on the bit — reduce feed rate, check collet tightness, ensure stock is clamped well.

Preview looks wrong — double-check bit angle matches what you set in the tool database.