Can anyone guide a new X-Carve user how to do this, what router bit to use, etc? Really need flattening 101 help ! Tks.
You can use a straight router bit or a specialized bit to flatten boards.
I leveled my basswood table with a bit like this although I bought a Whiteside one IIRC.
Amana Tool 45525 Carbide Tipped 1-1/8 Dia x 1/2 CH x 1/4 Shk x 1-19/32 Long Spoilboard Surfacing & Flattening 3-Flute Router Bit
I actually just wrote the Gcode to go in a straight line front to back, shift over 3/4 of the diameter and come back to Y zero location. Then the next line shifted over and repeated. The drawing looked like this:
You could set up to do your boards with double sided tape to avoid clamps.
You can do it with cheap bits too:
Yonico Straight 3/4 in. Dia 1/4 in. Shank Carbide Tipped Router Bit 14955q - The Home Depot
These may leave ridges to sand out.
A bowl bit has rounded edges.
Dish Carving Bits - Lee Valley Tools
Either way a Thickness sander is a good investment for panels after routing.