How do I make a set of coasters, from layout to cut order?

What the project is

A dished coaster is three toolpaths per part: a Pocket for the dish, a V-carve in the dish floor, and a Profile to cut it free. Laid out as a set, you run each toolpath across every coaster before changing bits.

Steps

1. Stock. A published walkthrough uses 5/8 inch stock and a 4 inch coaster. Measure your board and enter the true thickness.
2. Vectors. Draw a 4 inch circle. Use Offset Vectors with Inwards / Left and a Distance of 1/4 inch to create the dish outline and leave a rim. Add text with the draw-text-within-a-vector-box tool so it scales to the inner circle.
3. Make the set. Copy the finished design, or use Nest Parts. Nesting spaces parts by Tool Dia. plus Clearance, so enter the bit you will profile with.
4. Pocket the dish. Cut Depth 1/4 inch. In the pass settings, the walkthrough uses Number of Passes 3 with Set Last Pass Thickness at 0.05 inch, so the final skim leaves a cleaner floor.
5. V-carve the text. Set Start Depth equal to the pocket Cut Depth. The official documentation says that when carving into the bottom of a pocket, the pocket depth must be entered as the Start Depth, otherwise the software assumes the text starts at the top face.
6. Profile. Machine Vectors Outside, with tabs and ramps.
7. Run order. All pockets, change bit and re-zero Z, all text, change bit, all profiles.

Cork recess

If you want cork on the underside or in the dish, measure the cork you bought and decide whether it sits flush or slightly proud. Set the recess Cut Depth from that measurement and prove it on scrap. Cork sheets vary, so do not trust the label thickness.

Pro tips

• Select the pocket circles in the order you want them cut and enable Use Vector Selection Order to stop the machine wandering across the board.
• Sand the dish before cutting the tabs: the board is easier to hold than a loose coaster.
• See the entry on tabs in the Profile toolpath for tab size and placement.