southeastern vectric/aspire users group

[james mcgrew]

i wanted to wait for tony to announce the user group meeting from vectric, now we will be setting a date for a function here in columbia south carolina, i am shooting for early to mid september or even late august and need everyones input

my shop is 22.000 square feet and located at 3527 north main street columbia SC. i have hotel owners for clients so i can get special rates for the group and there are plenty near along with plenty of restraunts. as we are in downtown there are great musems and a world class zoo with 2 miles, we have edventure for the kids and grand kids

agendas are easy so help me with the topic's, we have asked one of the vectric players to attend and am hopefull that may happen

look forward to hearing from you all

my email is mcgrew636 (at) msn.com
my phone is 803 518 2074
and would appreciate all interest bein expressed here on the forum as well for this or any other gathering!!
jim mcgrew

_________________
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com (http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com/)
http://www.camaster.com (http://www.camaster.com/)
CAMaster 508x3 and 408

[Keith Outten]

James,

If this is a traditional users group type of gathering I'm not sure that it would be any more valuable than this forum when it comes to software, I could be wrong. If this is to be a two or three day training session then please count me in. Let me kn ow the date, time and cost to attend.
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[james mcgrew]

kieth the vectric fellows ar planning events in pittsburg and dallas in october (see vectric forum) this gathering will encompass several topics as well as training, we have recieved 24 emails so far!!

jim

[Keith Outten]

James,

I checked the thread on Vectric's Forum and there is very little information available yet. I assume that in time they will provide a schedule of the training sessions with details.

Thanks
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[james mcgrew]

kieth i got a strong response to having a user group meeting here in the south east, while i am glad for the emails i will ask those who cvontact me to also post on the forum so we can make info public to all about details, and the response can come thru the forum, i got 29 responses in one day

jim

[james mcgrew]

October 2/3 my shop all are welcome!!!
jim

[Angus Hines]

Have you got Brian or Tony coming down ?

[james mcgrew]

it is too close to the us visits for them with the dallas and pittsburg camps, for them to travel to the us is a week of travel and i can understand this, we just had so much interest here we decided to go ahead instead of waiting until next spring

jim

[james mcgrew]

just got off the phone with james booth and he has told me if we feed him sone doggone good southern BBQ then he is coming!!!

jim

[james mcgrew]

update

on friday we will open doors a t 8:00am october 2, show and tell greeting in the am

at 12:00 james booth will open the gathering with a speak on vectric and vectorart 3d

friday afternoon is speakers on tooling, cabinet nesting software, finishing

and we are having a presentation on 4rth axis and aspire, this technology is not new but has made some amazing strides in availablity, simplicity and cost for us vectric users

we can stay and do vectric well into the evening

saturday, open at 8:00 with speakers on sculpt neuvo, glazing, tooling cabinetry,

11:00 -12:30 bbq lunch right off the hog by the fellows at camaster

12:30 james booth will speak and we will have panel discussions on the use and techniques of aspire throught the afternoon untill the last person leaves or falls asleep!!!

this event is a gathering of vectric software geeks, its focus is vectric, there will be other subjects disscussed for thier relationship to the end user of cnc and vectric products, the cost is 25.00 and includes some door prize drawings as well as bbq lunch on saturday.

the interest is strong and i suggest one go to the vectric forum and let me know you are coming. the thread is called "south carolina users meeting" and is in the aspire general forum!!

this event had drawn the interest of several cabinetmaking and woodworking magazines so bring your show and tell, other large software company's have asked to speak and i have declined

"Small Shops rule"

jim mcgrew

James Mcgrew Cabinetmakers
3527 N Main st.
Columbia SC 29203
803 933 9988
fax 803 933 9938

www.mcgrewwoodwork.com (http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com)

[james mcgrew]

I WAS ASKED ON VECTRIC FOR THIS

yes there are 5 machines

a 5x10 with tool changer

a 4x8 single z

a carve wright

a 4x4 with a lathe

a 28 x 40 smaller machine with a single z

speakers are

JAMES BOOTH
TIM MERRILL
PAUL NIELSON
CHUCK HICKS
RYAN PATTERSON
RICH GOLDNER
MANITOBA KEITH

WE HAVE SECURED CHAIRS AND TABLE

ALSO LARGE SCREEN MONITORS FOR PRESENTATION

IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO BRING A CHAIR AND EVEN A SMALL TABLE THERE IS WIFI IN THE ROOM AND WE WILL VIDEO TAPE THE SPEAKERS, PLEASE BRING EAR AND EYE PROTECTION. THE FOCUS IS ON THE SOFTWARE MY GOAL IS WE WILL DESIGN A SIGN FOR "HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK"AND THE "CAROLINA BOY'S HOME"

_________________
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com (http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com)
http://www.camaster.com (http://www.camaster.com)
CAMaster 508x3 and 408

[james mcgrew]

met with chuck hicks from southeast tool yesterday he was in town to set up a tool display at woodzone, he asked what type of bits to bring, i told him taper ball nose carving bits, end mils and vcarve bits i felt would be most popular, his presentation will be on bit feeds and speeds and using tools for long life, this is gonna be good document ation for all of us at the forum. we have secured tables and some chairs i am gonna encourage all who can to bring a folding chair as i am unsure how many i will actually get this week i will have some for those who are flying in and such
as well as speakers etc. bill has fattened the hog!!! and i got several phone calls yesterday confirming those who are coming!!! i am amazed at how far some are willing but then again this is the most special software in the world. there are many who are new to aspire so i will look for some help in teaching the beginners, i have held powerboat races in the carribean, run large event and themed restaraunts and some interesting rock concerts (Once we gave 600 drunks water pistols and had the cast of "the rocky horror picture" show on halloween, never, never, never, do that!!!!) but this has been the most fun of all!! thanks to all who are calling, i am especially interested in the fellow who has what i consider the largest hobbiest router i have ever heard of !!!! can't wait to meet you all !!

six days and counting~~
jim

[james mcgrew]

keith, i want to thank you so much for making the drive and speaking to the group, you presentation on the business possibilitys of cnc and the small guy were one of the best and with the questions and interest shown by those in attendance well needed!! when some found i had a decent size scrap pile of corian i got asked repeatedly for pieces!! you definantly got thier attention!!

again thank you it was one of the highlights of the whole weekend and your dedication to cnc and your trade are obvious!!!!

jim mcgrew

[Keith Outten]

Jim,

Thanks for hosting a great event and for the fabulous hospitality you and your crew provided for everyone who attended. Jackie and I had a great time, the information presented was right on target. No doubt we all took more with us when we left than we gave, the CNC community is always willing to share their expertise and knowledge of the craft.

I would also like to thank James Booth, the information he shared on behalf of Vector Art 3D (http://www.vectorart3d.com/) and the Vectric (http://www.vectric.com/) organization continued to demonstrate that both companies are leading the way in customer service these days. I have never experienced the kind of support beyond the sale that these two companies provide, two thumbs up for being the best of the best!

Another two thumbs up to CAMaster (http://www.camaster.com/index.php) for their support of the event and the demonstrations they provided. It was a rare opportunity to see their machines in person, I have to admit I was very impressed with their entire product line and the people behind the machines. Click on the CAMaster link to view a video of their Cobra CNC Router with two routers and a spindle mounted, this is a HOT Setup........I want one :)

To those of you who could not attend this event you missed an opportunity to meet Jim McGrew who graciously opened up his shop and was an incredible host.

McGrew Woodwork in Columbia South Carolina (http://mcgrewwoodwork.com/), Southern Hospitality At It's Very Best!

Did we have a good time? You Bet
Would we go back again? Anytime we are invited or Jim says "Y'all Come".
Thanks again Jim, it was a pleasure to visit you and your friends.
:)
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[Joey Jarrard]

Keith it was great to meet you at Jim's. And thanks for the complement from you sir it is greatly appreciated. I have already started looking for a pen lathe, when mine will hold a candle I will send you one.

Joey

[Keith Outten]

Thanks Joey,

We enjoyed the event and the opportunity to meet everyone in person.
You can find plenty of help and advice here concerning your purchase of a new lathe for pen making but be forwarned turning can be addictive :)
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[Joey Jarrard]

Thanks,
Looking forward to it. I need a hobby you know I have all the time in the world to spend on it. :D

[Nicholas Bukky]

Keith,
It was very nice meeting you and your wife in SC, and thanks for telling me about your site it is HUGE and very nice!

Great presentation on buisness as well I think you might of sold a few routers that day!!

Thanks again,
Nick

[Keith Outten]

Nicholas,
Welcome to The Creek!

Thanks, it does seem that I have sold a couple of new CNC machines :)
I just hope that I was able to convert some more people over to using Dupont Corian as well, it is my favorite material for CNC and laser engraving work.

I have a small gloat to make, Angus Hines and I split a deal on a truck load of quarter inch thick Glacier White Corian today. I made the connection to a company in Pennsylvania who was selling their stock and Angus made the run to pick it up. My inventory of 1/4" Corian is looking pretty good tonight :)
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