Back to home

One Bit. One Zero. Done.

Every tool change on a small CNC means stopping, swapping the bit, re-zeroing, and hoping your Z height is still accurate. KerfLab eliminates all of that.

The tool change problem

Traditional CNC cabinet making assumes you have an automatic tool changer — a carousel that swaps bits mid-program. Industrial machines have this. Your machine probably doesn't.

Without an automatic tool changer, every tool change means:

  • Stopping the program
  • Loosening the collet, swapping the bit
  • Re-zeroing Z — and hoping you're as precise as last time
  • Resuming and praying nothing shifted

Each re-zero introduces error. After two or three changes, your holes don't line up with your cuts anymore. That's where precision dies.

The compression cutter solution

A quality 5–6mm compression cutter is a remarkably versatile tool. Its geometry prevents chip-out on both faces of the sheet — upcut on the bottom, downcut on the top. And it can do more than just cut panels.

What one compression cutter can do:

  • Panel cutting — full-depth cuts with clean edges on both faces.
  • Hinge cup holes (35mm) — helical interpolation mills out the pocket in a spiral.
  • Shelf pin holes (5mm) — direct plunge or small helix. Perfect fit for standard pins.
  • System 32 construction holes — the industry-standard 32mm grid for cabinet hardware.

How KerfLab generates the G-code

KerfLab generates a single G-code file per sheet. One program, one tool, start to finish. The order is optimized to minimize travel while keeping hold-down intact — panels stay attached by tabs until the final pass.

  1. Drill all interior features (hinge cups, shelf pins, construction holes)
  2. Cut panel outlines, leaving tabs for hold-down
  3. Final tab cuts to release panels

All with the same bit. No stops, no swaps, no re-zeroing.

Why it matters

  • Simpler machines — no tool changer or tool length sensor needed.
  • Faster setup — load one tool, run the entire job.
  • Reliable results — no accumulated Z error from re-zeroing. Holes and cuts always line up.

Ready to try it?