kmmcrafts

Might be able to.. probably take a better computer than the one I have in my shop for the CNC / Laser.. It has to think about what it's doing for what seems like 20 minutes, I'm doubting mine would do it but maybe a newer better one would work like that... as much dust etc that the shop gets.. I wasn't putting anything too nice and fancy out there.. Just to give an idea.. it's a laptop that I bought in 06 on clearance as it was a "old" model, LOL... Windows XP, .. Maybe my machines would run faster with a better computer... hmmm.. LOL

Right, like I say.. apple wants to keep the money with their systems.. easy peezy with all apple / mac stuff.. But windows or Linux systems not so easy. .. I like apple phones better than android.. but hate the photo sharing between devices.. Maybe one day I'll get all the same brand of electronics.. my youngest son is steering me toward Linux because it's harder to break into or hack more secure..

That's the point... they have you by the cloud. ie small storage for cloud.. so when cloud is full you end up storing them on phone.. They want $5.99 a month for more storage in cloud so I can access all my phone photos in cloud.. There is a way around it.. since I have a google account I downloaded my free 15GB of data to google drive... Still not a simple process as it is just loading the camera stick to the computer.. And for the Android user that wants to laugh at that.. It's coming to a android phone near you soon.. They've been working their numbers too... and doing a little by little of that stuff as well.. I'm not rich and have the latest new phones.. Just upgraded last fall from a iphone 4 - a 6S.. yeah.. the 6s is probably a 10 year old outdated phone for many of you.. I don't sign contracts.. I buy my phones outright and choose who to use as a service provider that way I'm in control of service where ever I may go and not at the whim of having a contract and stuck with no service and a useless phone until the contract is paid up.. Been there done that.. not again.. $35 a month unlimited data.. like I said buy your phone and then you have control.. can't get unlimited from the big providers that give you contracts for that kind of money..

Allot more too it than that on an Iphone.. You see.. apple just wants you to buy storage and have access to your photos from any device from the storage the sell you.. they don't want you just plugging to the computer and download.. they sell storage on a site and make it difficult to get the photos on the computer.. I've don't it.. just not easily done..

I understand the thought of those club members.. But as I've said.. it's just their "thoughts" of these taking over the scroll saw scene and they really only speculated.. Lot's of people see in their minds of just throwing a board at it.. push a button and it's cranking out production of 20 pcs a minute.. My laser is quite powerful one for home shops.. I can still out produce the laser using my scroll saw by stack cutting.. I can stack 5-6 at a time and cut a stack in 20 minutes leisurely cutting and if in a hurry can knock off 5 minutes... My laser can cut 4 of the same ornaments in around 20 minutes.. not too far off from scrolling.. but definitely not out producing a "good" scroller.. Lasers back in the day was pricey.. mines just a cheap $350 one.. Cost to run a laser also isn't cheap.. more power needed... laser tubes don't last forever.. and are almost the same price as a new laser.. I feel like laser / cnc work is a close comparison as far as running times for pieces and cost to keep up machines are a fairly close match.. I have to be honest and say.. I was in the same thought process as those club guys.. until I got my machines.. I learned real quick they are not really production machines.. I thought heck yeah I can up the ante with my selling.. I can scroll and run both the laser and the CNC while I scroll.. kind of like having a couple employees.. sadly that's not how it works.. I try to inform others but most just have that idea ( throw a board at it.. push button ) stuck in their brain and will not for any reason be talked out of that.. they just "KNOW" that's how it is.. and they will argue till they're blue in the face.. Can't open the mind just a little bit and see what the cnc / laser stuff is about.. they don't want to hear it they don't care.. And that's okay.. but if they knew they might change how they feel about them and possibly have one of their own.. They'll never replace a scroll saw.. Unless you get a few commercial units that you can lay 5 sheets of plywood on each one and run production.. imagine the cost of that machine though.. plus a computer for each one. etc. etc.. These machines are a nice addition to my business because it gives me the power to engrave... something the scroll saw can't do.. so they have their spot in a shop... but never will replace a scroll saw..

Cell phone cameras have come a real long way over the years.. I too have a expensive Canon camera.. But my etsy photos are taken with a cheap Sony Cyber-Shot digital camera that is at least 15 years old, LOL. and yes.. with tripod and my homemade cardboard box lightbox I made... My cell phone actually does better than the Sony.. but I use my computer to do listings and I've never mastered the art of getting the photos off my iphone to my computer.. One day I'm going to get a IPad... Lot of people run their etsy shops solely from their cell phone... I'm not a master of using a cell phone for much of anything.. LOL

Thanks Les, It was a lot of fun to make because I got to use more of my shop tools than most my project require.. Bandsaw, planner scroll saw, laser, bar clamps, drill press, and my dremel plunge outer drill press deal. .. can't remember the last time I used the clamps.. been a while since I used the bandsaw too.. in fact I bought new blades for it back in May and never have got around to putting one on yet.. back then I was doing quite a lot of resawing.. bought new blades and not even turned it on since, LOL

Well that is good to hear.. Will you be able to use both lasers at the same time or is it not worth the effort to hook them both up? I mean I realize the one is a bit slow but running it is making more pieces.. Probably would need to have two computers though.. so might not be doable.. Good luck with it and let us know how you like it if you get one.. I'd like to see a video of one running.. probably is one on YouTube already, guess I'll go look..

Wow that's awesome!!! I'll have to see if I can pick up a copy.. One of these days I'm going to re-subscribe and support the magazine.. I stopped my subscription back around 2010 ish.. or whenever the other magazine went out of business.. I hate to say it but I liked the other one better.. too bad they closed up..

So I had a custom order for a message on one of my clocks I have on etsy.. For the last nearly 10 years of selling on etsy I always get the occasional request for engraving.. which is a big reason I bought my CNC router and the 40 watt C02 laser engraver / cutter.. I've been playing around with the laser quite a lot over the last few weeks making engraved ornaments etc but not really stuff to sell.. until this custom order.. Clock was cut on the Hawk BM-226 saw with a #3 Pegas MFG blade.. from 5/8" soft Maple.. The base was engraved on a "slice " of 1/8" Maple.. (ie I don't have my laser set up yet for doing thicker pieces of wood.. ) that I sliced with the bandsaw and then engraved the text and the outline profile of the base for my pattern, LOL.. Then I glued the 1/8 back to the board and cut the profile with the Hawk to finish it up.. Before I set up the laser I was using the CNC router to do this.. but wanted to try it on the laser.. The laser was much faster and easier to set up than the CNC would have been.. though probably not buy too much.. Took about 6 minutes to engrave this piece.. More time spend fooling with slicing and gluing, LOL.. A lot of guys modify the laser bed by cutting it out and making a new adjustable height bed for doing different thickness of materials.. The laser has a sweet spot for a focal point.. and the focal point changes when you change material thickness.. so that it one of the modifications I'll be doing ... cutting up my new laser bed.. LOL BTW This order is going all the way to China.. LOL... and I charged $120,,, $25 of that is shipping.. took about 1.5 hours work..

If you're making that many I would be looking at a CNC router, LOL... That's a lot of holes to drill.. With the CNC you'd just draw up the design of the triangle and where the holes are.. also will do the engrave.. however many of those you could get from a 2ft x 2ft board the CNC would carve, engrave , and cut them out for you in about 2 hours.. set it up next to your scroll saw and keep an eye on it while cutting puzzles,

The specs on the one in the link you posted shows maximum speed is 3000mm a minute.. if my math is correct that equates to 50mm a sec. and that's IF the machine is powerful enough to get the image quality you're looking for.. I don't know the specs of the one you have but being more powerful isn't going to mean it's faster..

How slow / fast is the one you have? Like... how long would it take to engrave the Brandy text on the Dachsund you posted above? The 40W C02 laser I recently started messing with would do that in about 3-5 minutes tops.. maybe faster.. I haven't experimented too much with running it on the max power and speed setting.. I've only run it at 8% power so far and 550mm per sec. speed setting.. Believe it will run faster than that but I can't imagine doing it n my makeshift table, probably fly off the table, LOL Edit to add: Just as a reference I engraved and cut through this 1/8" BBply at 8% power and run the engrave speed at 350mm sec. and cut (same power ) 10mm sec. These took 20 minutes to do the 4 ornaments and the keychain in the center.. The video is 4x faster.. Edit again, NOT 8% power.. 8 milliamp power setting.. That is misleading as my tube max power shouldn't run more than 18 milliamp .. you can but you shorten the laser tube life and or damage it..

It still is... just depends on where you're posting it.. Most folks here seem pretty laid back.. though I have gotten flack from a few when I first started posting some of my cnc / laser stuff.. The majority of those that get bent out of shape about these nice machines is those that seem to feel the machines require no skill and somehow feel threatened that the machines are going to take over the scrolling side of things.. Can't and wont happen... if they only could be open minded and "learn" about them they would see it's a whole new skill set to run these.. also more handmade than one really knows.. because they refuse to even think about learning about them they are actually hurting their own skill level of woodworking and a whole new level of what they can make in their own shops.. To me they are limiting themselves and their knowledge.

I knew it, LOL.. I updated it with my newer methods of signing though.. LOL

Yeah sure, be glad to help out if I can.. I'm no pro at these yet but I'll try to answer any questions you have.

RJ, it's a cheap stand alone unit called a K40 and are all over ebay and amazon.. cost about $300-450 depending on the time of year and on sale or not.. most anytime of the year though $350 is the going price.. I got mine for $275 off eBay from a sale price. Been a lot of fun to play with.. Not a real large work area though.. I think it's 8 x 13? work area I know it's just a little larger work area than a sheet of paper.. They say to try to stay away from the digital display ones if you can.. This is about like what I have.. but search eBay and Amazon or google for K40 laser cutter.. should find you plenty of them, LOL.. I suggest joining one of the K40 laser groups on FB to educate yourself.. as not all K40's are built the same.. following the groups you'll learn so much on what to watch for when purchasing one.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-Laser-Tube-Laser-Engraving-Engraver-Cutting-Machine-Laser-Cutter-12-8/390715548557?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item5af876238d:g:jjgAAOSw1S5deazH&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkyMJZWL%2BqFSgQ3TOOe%2FNr7ovBv8iatWsbrvyWGl%2Fi%2FnosJqxYilibuTrmJgsvue2vXpqQVdRZfSJG1Y1aSGibMSu0nuauJGszzss9eFsC52QgQGl5YHY2OlMMZiDV3mA0WuRE2M7VZC2dqVah0%2FfeCRDyiqFf%2F6TO%2FIegIIrMRoRVAOJ6zGLOlfihSgOZqiAI%2FwEUwL5OfLxtFtMNilyIyaEKBujnQ7B6kqByTKgxPM8NwD22oVFRXR8B4tcJ31FAclpTOrS%2B9q3wdmev%2BjFA4DyfoX%2BnFESMiM9fYG3vp3Wa1SLP4MgzVIVVCHcWo4UaHc8uhr5oEVqlqMUejEVGS%2BpS%2FjI5bcBXav2%2BsibNNCY7zUbWwXz0Pk1g%2FmXUM0jp%2BFOBuRhSFVTo6194VQ5dDl2QsnWjpPe0tjWvZwtLcdLbm4nLTYWuZJbj%2F%2BB%2BfndDp5uFELmrMDJ2ugl6WUlaQWSlFDbbzcV8TWSFOZTzyB1h924hOTPjos%2BWCxeTTBVEra2TLnHMyBnQigN%2FjwY60wN1jfWT37QlQC%2FPyYDqMyfc%2Fapjadwh%2FMXtZaSdu5OE5xUYh99TV1WRbGWtwVJvdAPPODz6tPEJPWcT1mk2j19SaEhIEWXnFqqHPj9leQ2Z9EsnkrEGXYr%2F%2Bk8yzFDGCQHod%2FdNBjSlKPwjuxjctj1XaPziaaT0hfU%2FanVnW2GfEIZlTL4qBOMeh8z6G%2BE8%2B8iUz1brEnaS1ii57t%2F0NsUVWe%2BmfBKs5GJGUOMxQV%2Frhs9wYp2j2AMljyADKvCwpQ%3D%3D|cksum%3A3907155485578db37fcbef2f463198bca17b14e69c0b|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2334524

I made a light box from a old cardboard box by cutting the sides of the box out with just a frame / window on the two sides.. then taped white tissue paper over the cutouts.. use a white vinyl ( vinyl you can wipe down if the white gets some smudges or dirt on it ) poster board in the back of the box as a back drop and have two LED light pods on each side shining through the tissue paper on the sides.. This is a real expensive set up so I'm doubting anyone will take this route.. That all said, I do this because I need to take great photos as I'm a online seller and eye catching photos are a must if you want to catch peoples attention when they are scrolling through Amazon or a website.. and the white is required by Amazon soooo I don't do any kind of fancy props o anything.. Just photo the piece I'm selling, LOL If I was a hobbyist just trying to show off a piece I made.. It's doubtful I'd do all that work just to show a few scroll saw friends my piece.. while I do realize that a great photo makes a piece pop rather than a poor cluttered photo.. I'm just not one that'd go through hoops just to show a piece to my online friends.. However I do try my best to take a decent photo.. I'm just sayin it's doubtful I would go out of my way to get a backdrop and all that for a few photos here and there.. even though I do agree with what you've said 100%... especially after being a online seller for the past 20 years, LOL.. But if you're posting photos a lot, such as on a selling site.. A dedicated photo spot is a must have.. I used to set up a spot and then take it down after.. That's such a pain to do just for a few photos here and there.. Not everyone has the space for a dedicated spot.. which is why I'm saying.. I wouldn't be going through the hassles just to show off to a few friends.. doesn't mean I wouldn't try to have uncluttered background or good lighting.. but I sure wouldn't be setting up a spot for a couple pictures here and there.. I rarely post in the bragging section.. I probably make a few new things every week.. I guess I feel like people can just go to my website to see what I've been up to, LOL I probably should post more often in the bragging section.. But then running 4 websites.. posting photos every week on the sites.. I get a little burnout from photo posting of my work.. Now I like to post them if I built a new bench or something.. showing a tool I just bought but.. finished work pieces are on my website.. LOL

I also started engraving now that I have my laser set up.. and this summer I had started using the CNC to carve my logo on the bottom of clock bases etc.. But this laser is much quicker and easer to use so I'm actually doing a custom order today that I'll be trying the laser on some thicker wood to see how it goes.. The video is not of my signature but just showing how it engraves and cuts.. I may make small round logos like Steve Good makes and sells where I can just drill a recess in the bases with a forstner bit and glue my logo in.. IF I get caught up on these orders Ill make a design and video the engrave and cutting then show what I mean by making small round logo to glue into the base.. I also may start engraving on my ornaments on the back side.. size could be so small you hardly see it, LOL This thing is awesome with the details so long as you learn the proper power and speed settings.. Video is me making a set of ornaments for my son.. and the smaller one in the center is a keychain..

I buy my BB ply from a local lumber supply shop.. 5ft x 5ft x1/8 piece is $13 and the 1/4 is $16.. They cut it in 1/3's for me so I end up with approx. 3 pieces of 20 x 60 inches.. no charge on the cuts unless it take them more than 5 minutes.. They usually can cut 5 sheets at a time on the 1/8" so I typically buy 10 sheets at a time.. keeps them just under the 5 min. LOL

I get this from time to time... I also always sand the ply first.. and started doing so because of this exact thing... I found that ply that sits around for a period of time will do this.. I suspect it is because it has absorbed moisture and a very thin layer of the outer part of the wood seems to lift easier... sanding it has helped a lot with this.. and I haven't had as much of an issue since I started sanding it first.. but once in a while I still get that stubborn piece.. If I catch it starting to do this.. I'll set it out in the sun to warm up or use a hair drier or heat gun and then it usually helps too..

Brian, This is what I have here... https://www.seyco.com/dv-10a-cyclonic-action-scroll-saw-dust-collector/ I also have another just about like it but it's a home built system using a MetroVac 5000 that I bought off eBay and a small plastic cyclone separator I got from Amazon.. Somewhere around here is a topic with links that I think Ray @octoolguy posted as I copied what he did basically...

Your project looks great.. I never had any issues with fuzzies once I switched to FD-UR blades way back when... also now using the Pegas MG blades and no fuzzies... BUT... still get them with spiral blades.. But also don't use spirals too often..

I made a video a while back.. this used to be my go-to finish but it is time consuming to put it on etc.. I do it in a sauce pan.. but i like the crockpot idea.. less chance of a flash fire etc.. Anyway.. enjoy the video

Wow that turned out nice!! your first clock is done is if you've been making them for 30 years.. Like the wood.. is seems to show up the cutouts well.. I've not had great luck with dark colored wood because the cutouts don't seem to show as good..