The dreaded CNC

[Phantom Scroller]

Well I've relented and plan on buying a X CARVE for 3d carving and template making and who knows what else probably take a couple of days to build and while it's going I'll be scrolling. What are you thoughts. Roly

[Dan]

If you have it shipped to me I'll build it for you. 

[Sycamore67]

I will be interested in hearing how the programming goes.

[tgiro]

I could build it for you too, but it would probably take me 3 - 4 years to "make sure it's alligned correctly."

[Phantom Scroller]

19 hours ago, Dan said:

If you have it shipped to me I'll build it for you. 

It will come from you side of the pond so you can buy it build it and send it to me.  Roly

Edited June 2, 2018 by Phantom Scroller

[Rob]

12 hours ago, Phantom Scroller said:

Well I've relented and plan on buying a X CARVE for 3d carving and template making and who knows what else probably take a couple of days to build and while it's going I'll be scrolling. What are you thoughts. Roly

Blimey Roly!  Going over to the dark side! 

Just kidding.

Rob.

P.S.  Not at all jealous...

P.P.S.  Honest!

[meflick]

Well Roly, I must say that I think its always good to have tools that meet various needs.  Not everyone is going to like the CNC machines, but I confess that Hubby and I got one for our joint Christmas gift.  We went with one that didn't need to be built, that is one reason why I haven't had a lot of things to show here on the forum lately.  I was spending what little free time I had learning that software (Vectric's Desktop) and creating somethings with it.  They were all items that I could not have done with my Scrollsaw but I still felt guilty about posting any of it here in the Village even if I did it here in Other Woodworks. Like you, I wanted it for the "carving" capabilities.  I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be banned from my 2nd home.  Hopefully since I don't sell my stuff, nobody will be too mad at me. Even when you have someone else's plan they have shared, its not that simple.  It does take some time and effort to get things done correctly in the software, then laid out on the machine bed, then making sure you have the right bit, etc.I still love my scroll saw, and it can do things I wouldn't want to try to do on the CNC machine.  They both can serve a good purpose.

Since I have fessed up, I will show some pictures of some of the things I have created with ours since getting it at Christmas. One is a bread board for family friends. One is a pineapple serving tray, one is a cake server stand (Hubby turned the connecting piece), the TN State outline with the tri-star logo used for the state was for my daughter's dorm room, and the rest are iPad stands that I made for family and friends. The Calla Lily one I carved and then colored with alcohol markers. The Georgia Dawgs one was for my son.  I carved it out and then used a resin epoxy to fill it with.  I did a TN Vols one for myself, but I messed it up and haven't remade it yet.  The last one is a bowl with a carved lid. There were a couple of other things I made that I don't seem to have pictures of and some more I messed up on. Shhh - don't tell anyone here who will be upset with me though.   That would break my heart! However, I have confessed before, I am a tool junkie and hubby wanted it too so what could I say. 

To my scroll saw friends - I hope you forgive me for dabbling over in the dark side. 

Edited June 5, 2018 by meflick

[Travis]

I have an XCarve and I love it! It's a lot of fun to play with. Being a techie-nerd woodworker, I enjoy mixing technology and craft. But it's just a tool like anything else. It's not like you push a button and out comes a thing. It's pretty slow and is limited in some capabilities. In fact, it's easier doing certain things the old fashioned way than the fancy computery way.  it takes a lot of work , still.  But instead of putting the work in the backend, you're putting the work in the front end. Using it creatively, that's where the real skill comes in.

 

[Phantom Scroller]

On 6/5/2018 at 8:05 PM, meflick said:

Well Roly, I must say that I think its always good to have tools that meet various needs.  Not everyone is going to like the CNC machines, but I confess that Hubby and I got one for our joint Christmas gift.  We went with one that didn't need to be built, that is one reason why I haven't had a lot of things to show here on the forum lately.  I was spending what little free time I had learning that software (Vectric's Desktop) and creating somethings with it.  They were all items that I could not have done with my Scrollsaw but I still felt guilty about posting any of it here in the Village even if I did it here in Other Woodworks. Like you, I wanted it for the "carving" capabilities.  I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be banned from my 2nd home.  Hopefully since I don't sell my stuff, nobody will be too mad at me. Even when you have someone else's plan they have shared, its not that simple.  It does take some time and effort to get things done correctly in the software, then laid out on the machine bed, then making sure you have the right bit, etc.I still love my scroll saw, and it can do things I wouldn't want to try to do on the CNC machine.  They both can serve a good purpose.

Since I have fessed up, I will show some pictures of some of the things I have created with ours since getting it at Christmas. One is a bread board for family friends. One is a pineapple serving tray, one is a cake server stand (Hubby turned the connecting piece), the TN State outline with the tri-star logo used for the state was for my daughter's dorm room, and the rest are iPad stands that I made for family and friends. The Calla Lily one I carved and then colored with alcohol markers. The Georgia Dawgs one was for my son.  I carved it out and then used a resin epoxy to fill it with.  I did a TN Vols one for myself, but I messed it up and haven't remade it yet.  The last one is a bowl with a carved lid. There were a couple of other things I made that I don't seem to have pictures of and some more I messed up on. Shhh - don't tell anyone here who will be upset with me though.   That would break my heart! However, I have confessed before, I am a tool junkie and hubby wanted it too so what could I say. 

To my scroll saw friends - I hope you forgive me for dabbling over in the dark side. 

Fantastic work makes me want one more now but I'm now torn between X CARVE & SHAPEOKO 3 decisions decisions. Roly

[Phantom Scroller]

On 6/5/2018 at 11:42 PM, Travis said:

I have an XCarve and I love it! It's a lot of fun to play with. Being a techie-nerd woodworker, I enjoy mixing technology and craft. But it's just a tool like anything else. It's not like you push a button and out comes a thing. It's pretty slow and is limited in some capabilities. In fact, it's easier doing certain things the old fashioned way than the fancy computery way.  it takes a lot of work , still.  But instead of putting the work in the backend, you're putting the work in the front end. Using it creatively, that's where the real skill com

Can wait to make things I can't do on the scrollsaw. Roly

[meflick]

Roly, I can't help you with your decision on which machine.  I am vaguely familiar with the XCarve and haven't heard of the Shapeoko I am afraid.  We got a smaller Shark when they were running a special to get the laser module for free with it around Thanksgiving/Black Friday last year.  I visit the Vectric forums fairly regularly to learn what I can, and I know I have seen several there who have the XCarve.  Perhaps @Travis can give you some insight on the XCarve and why he went with it.  Thanks for the compliments on my work.  It was fun to learn, I need to get back to trying some more things.  My daughter just graduated from college and we were looking for housing for her in Atlanta area as she was going straight to grad school so my time with the saw or the CNC has been somewhat limited the past couple of months.  Life should settle back down now that we got her moved in down there.

While you are making your decision, and waiting on your machine to come over on that slow boat - get the software and start working with it if you can.  Also, look for free CNC projects/files and look at them if you can.  You will need to know what software you will be using so you know what format that you need.  The Vectric Desktop program came with the Shark so that is what I am using.  I am willing to help in anyway that I can.  Just let me know.

[Phantom Scroller]

4 hours ago, meflick said:

Roly, I can't help you with your decision on which machine.  I am vaguely familiar with the XCarve and haven't heard of the Shapeoko I am afraid.  We got a smaller Shark when they were running a special to get the laser module for free with it around Thanksgiving/Black Friday last year.  I visit the Vectric forums fairly regularly to learn what I can, and I know I have seen several there who have the XCarve.  Perhaps @Travis can give you some insight on the XCarve and why he went with it.  Thanks for the compliments on my work.  It was fun to learn, I need to get back to trying some more things.  My daughter just graduated from college and we were looking for housing for her in Atlanta area as she was going straight to grad school so my time with the saw or the CNC has been somewhat limited the past couple of months.  Life should settle back down now that we got her moved in down there.

While you are making your decision, and waiting on your machine to come over on that slow boat - get the software and start working with it if you can.  Also, look for free CNC projects/files and look at them if you can.  You will need to know what software you will be using so you know what format that you need.  The Vectric Desktop program came with the Shark so that is what I am using.  I am willing to help in anyway that I can.  Just let me know.

Thanks Mel I've downloaded software on the x carve and the Shapeoko 3 and it's a leaning curve but been watch youtube videos which help. Watch this space. lol Roly

[Travis]

I went with the XCarve because it was an inexpensive way to get into CNC.  The fact it was a DIY Kit kept the costs down a lot.  When I built mine, I bought everything except the waste board.  The waste board was nothing more than MDF and cost a ton to shop.  So I made my own waste board.  It was fun and relatively easy to build.  However, since I built one, I'm not too sure how excited I am to build another one.    There were a couple of things in the instructions that weren't correct, but I figured it out.

Here's a video I did about building my CNC.  It's more about my experience rather than step by step tutorial.

 

You can use the XCarve software on the Inventables website.  it's called Easel and super easy to use.  It basically does 2d carving and also some V-Carving.  Their website has a great community and a ton of projects, too.  The Ventric sofware is super expensive, so I didn't buy that.  But it would be a good way to do 3d stuff with a nice interface and use of 3d clipart.  I don't do much 3d stuff, but I am starting to dabble in it.  You can use Fusion 360 for free.  It has a seriously steep learning curve, though.  But I"m slowly learning it.  But it will do all of the CAM stuff you need to do 3d stuff and design your own stuff.  Then you can use Universal GCode sender to send commands to your CNC.

[amazingkevin]

very nice video!

[Phantom Scroller]

Great video Travis are you going to build a cabinet for it ?  I think I'll be getting the Shapeoko 3 this month. looking forward to more from the CNC . Roly

Edited June 10, 2018 by Phantom Scroller

[Woodmaster1]

Everything sounds great. The school I used to teach at before retiring just bought a top of the line CNC router system. I can't wait to check it out. The guy I used to teach with told me to come out anytime. I am not going to turn down the offer. The school has decided to invest in a manufacturing career center to meet the needs of the students that are not going to college. They have the backing of area industries. It's amazing that the school has come to their senses and realize that 1/2 the students aren't going on to college.

[Phantom Scroller]

6 hours ago, Woodmaster1 said:

Everything sounds great. The school I used to teach at before retiring just bought a top of the line CNC router system. I can't wait to check it out. The guy I used to teach with told me to come out anytime. I am not going to turn down the offer. The school has decided to invest in a manufacturing career center to meet the needs of the students that are not going to college. They have the backing of area industries. It's amazing that the school has come to their senses and realize that 1/2 the students aren't going on to college.

All the kids these days are born with a phone or tablets attracted to them. Even my four year old granddaughter tells me what to do on my phone. They should have no issues using the software to run the CNC Definitely go and see that one.