Wood CNC Thread

Near as I can tell, we don't have an official thread specific to wood CNC machines, so here we go!

I purchased a Shapeoko 3 XXL three years ago, under the premise I could at least make enough items to pay for itself. It has done just that, as well as a ton of other wood working-type tools.

I love true 3D carvings, but they are not profitable, per-se.

I currently use VCarve Pro, Version 9, for almost every design. I run Carbide Motion on an old PC for the machine itself.

My dust collection has evolved from a shop vac to a pair of Rikon products, Rikon 60-100 and 62-450.

While I am on Instagram, @christopher.m.jacques, and Facebook, @cjdesignsnh, I cannot tell for how long. Without going political, it is safe to say Zuckerberg has a narrative to push. It sure would be nice to get a neutral social media platform that has decent safeguards in place for the appropriate issues.

So, I have created a Google Photos album of the items I have built. I suppose it made more sense than to post all my pieces.

I'm not looking to drum up business, in fact, I am taking a break to obtain some unrelated certifications.

I figured if I could inspire someone else, that would be great. I am more of a computer person than woodworker. In three years, I definitely feel more comfortable with woodworking.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jixx2ZWSSK9MVa6i6

 

Setup

 

Some good looking pieces.

 

I knew that was Winni even in the second pic when still being cut. I may need some signs!

 

Thanks man.

 

Complicated lake. Tough to cut small and get detail. Even then I don't have every island.

 

Really nice work.

 

Looks great. Do you sale on Etsy? If not you should look into it. I'm sure there are a ton of other vendors but you don't have to carry any product until someone orders something.

 

Good looking work.
I really like the one with the last name in black and the two first names on top of it (didn't know if you wanted them posted on here).

 

I've delayed and declined local work. Life is too darn busy. Maybe when I retire...

 

This one? They called these letters stacked... that was my 4th or 5th try. It was very sensitive to imperfections in my bits and a proper zero after every tool change.

 

Yep, that one! Super cool!

 

Very nice work!!!! I also have the Shapeoko 3 xxl and have had it a few years now. I really need to use it more. With your 3D carves do you break the job up into small parts or just run it until its completed?

 

Short answer, the whole job (be that rough, finish, etc.) They get soooo long though, some well over 12 hours.

When I have had crashes, disconnects, etc., I have learned that I could pick up where I left off. You just run the risk of a power outage, weather dependent, etc.

 

So far I have only made simple signs I do know that I need to just use it more and get more familiar with it.

 

Yup, just dive in. Vectric has some pretty good videos.

Improving my speeds and feeds are my biggest challenge now.

 

Improving them how?

 

There is definitely a sweet spot. Too slow, you burnish the wood, even smoke. Too fast, the machine can't take it.

Every wood, tool, depth of cut, and type of toolpath is different, there is no one speed/feed. IMHO

I try to push the machine as fast I can without losing quality, so I spend less time cutting.

On my 3D work, and a 1/32 radius tip, less than 7% stepover does not visibly improve quality and adds a ton of time. I am slowly creeping back up to 10% to see if I can cut my times down and keep the fine detail.

 

No CNC on this piece, but I figured I would throw this one in here. I don't see any woodworking threads...

 

Part Deux

 

Last

 

Just a sign for some newly weds....

 

A test piece for a going away project.

 

A flag I made out of Red Wood, White Oak, and Maple. I thought the redwood would come out more red after an oil based poly was applied.

 

Another type of flag I made for an old Air Force veteran neighbor. I had another USAF neighbor vet and a niece request the same flag.

 

Did an ax handle for my son and one of his friends.

 

Last one for tonight....

A place to hang a ballistic vest, duty belt, gloves and a shelf for glasses, radios, etc.