I have to disagree with you Kensal. The checkering is not done by the machine. Checkering with an MMC type tool is quite similar to using conventional tools but faster and able to cut short lines easier without runovers. It uses a spinning carbide wheel to cut the lines instead of the push method used by unpowered tools. That is the only difference. It is hand checkering aided by the spinning wheel as opposed to unpowered pushing through the wood with a cutter. It is not a mechanical substitute for human skill. Cutting checkering with a carbide wheel is still hand checkering, only with the aid of a power tool and requires practice to build skill levels. It is used to cut the initial pass which is then finished with hand tools. It does not eliminate the need for hand tools.
It is nothing like laser engraving. Pressed in checkering is. You can not tell the difference between checkering using the push method or the wheel method. The wheel method just cuts the time to complete the initial pass and helps to prevent runovers in tight corners. Carbide wheel or hand tools, it is still hand checkering and requires skill to do competently.
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