How are you using your CNC machines

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Just curious, wondering how they are fitting into hobby and light pro shops. I can understand a cabinet shop, but I can't figure out there niche in anything else. Are they just a fun tool to play with or do they really make your work better/more efficient? Not judging, I'm all for having fun if that's there main function.

Thoughts?

[Bruce Page]

I bought mine to play with in my retirement. I’ve done a few paying jobs with it but it’s mostly for fun.

[Kevin Beitz]

Made my own CNN. I use it to make creel wings the most.

[Jim Becker]

Steve, there's definitely increased interest in CNC. You can even see that in SMC's CNC specific forum area which is getting busier. I recently made the plunge and took delivery of my machine a few days ago. My intention is for it to add to my operation and permit me to do both one-off type work as well as create marketable products and services. Some of that will be pointed at the equestrian world where I've already established a reasonable local reputation for high-end, furniture quality tack storage. Signage, jump standards and some other things will join the tack storage in my offerings. On the "one-off" side of things, I plan on using the machine to create certain furniture parts, carvings for architectural use and may try my hand at some guitar building, too. So for me, it's a mixture of work for others and enjoyable pursuits for me.

I honestly don't feel that CNC is a passing thing, either. It's a logical extension of technology that's permitting "mere mortals" to make things for their own pleasure as well as for profit in ways and volumes that have not been possible manually. I'm a believer in "end result" so if CNC can enhance ones enjoyment of woodworking, then by all means explore it. It's also important to understand that "things don't make themselves". It takes a lot of work to create things with CNC. Yes, it's "different work" than with other methods, no no less valid and often no less challenging when a complicated design is on the table.


Here's the new addition to my shop just made ready to go...

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[Matt Day]

They don’t seem cheap either - about $12k for that one Jim?

[Jim Becker]

Well north of that, Matt, as equipped. I opted for a 1.7kW spindle and a few other options. It's amazing how quiet the spindle is compared to a router. Any noise requiring hearing protection is coming from the cutter, not the motor, with a spindle.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Jim and Bruce, those are awesome machines, I could definitely think of a few fun things to try with them! Kevin, what's a creel wing?

I can imagine using one to precisely place index points on a project to make assembly a breeze. I don't think I could justify the expense, but i'd be a blast try.

[David Falkner]

I built ours in late 2016 and one intention is for making acoustic guitar templates, forms, fixtures, etc. very accurately and also make some acoustic guitar bridges, cut the neck profiles, and anything else that makes sense on the CNC. To me it's a tool in the shop, nothing more. Now, it may be the coolest tool in the shop but I use it when it makes sense, not just because it's there. We opened our Etsy shop in December last year and many of the items we offer are cut on the CNC. Things like trivets, signs, and things I'm developing now are because we have the CNC. These things wouldn't make any money at all if I had to cut them entirely by hand but they can be profitable with the CNC and very enjoyable to cut. Each time I design something new I look forward to making the design better and more efficient in my toolpath design such that the time to cut gets reduced but the quality of the finished piece remains the same or increases.

For instance, one thing I do under contract is make B-52 tails for a trophy shop. These get laser engraved later but I make the blanks for them. They had been getting them from another local woodworker who cuts them entirely by hand. When I started doing them I took the time to draw the tail in Fusion 360 and the first 8 I made took 12 minutes each to cut out of Walnut. Here we are a year later and I now have it down to where I'm cutting two at a time and the total time for cutting is 6 minutes. That's a four-fold increase in production/cutting time and the bonus is the tail is much better in edge smoothness now that it was cutting one in 12 minutes. Another bonus is that the laser shop no longer has to test each tail when they do the engraving because every tail I give them is identical to the previous tail. They have cut their laser time down by about 6 to 8 minutes for each tail. I also figured out how to cut the antenna on the side and I cut those 10 at a time (that's the roundish bump of Walnut above LA).

Here's what they look like on the CNC (helps with what I've described above) -
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And finished -
384473

David

[Jim Becker]

Steve, at this point, you can get involved with CNC at a much lower cost point than you might pay for a really nice, deluxe cabinet saw including a really nice hobbyist type machine in the $2K range that has enough cutting area to do much more than small things. There are even lower cost options, too. So if you have a real interest and think it could enhance your enjoyment of the hobby...make it happen.

[Keith Outten]

David,

Your B-53 trophy tails are really nice and an innovative idea.
Thanks for sharing.

[Randy Heinemann]

I don't feel that I would get satisfaction from carving or cutting out furniture or cabinet parts with a CNC machine. It just wouldn't seem like woodworking for me; more like computer programming. I have always felt that creating mortises, tenons, and other types of joints with a CNC would be really useful; just for increased accuracy and quality. Since I found the Domino, I feel I don't need that additional capability for most things I do. I see CNC uses for production shops. In fact, it would seem almost a necessity for those who make even part of their income from furniture, cabinets, signs, carving, etc. if, for not other reason, than to compete from a price standpoint. Also, just to be clear, I'm not criticizing, just indicating my preferences for making furniture and cabinets the more traditional way. I have bought a number of tools over the years because they are cool, great tools, and I have used them infrequently over the years; certainly not enough to get my money's worth. So, I would never criticize anyone for buying even if it is only because they want to experiment and because it would be fun.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Steve, at this point, you can get involved with CNC at a much lower cost point than you might pay for a really nice, deluxe cabinet saw including a really nice hobbyist type machine in the $2K range that has enough cutting area to do much more than small things. There are even lower cost options, too. So if you have a real interest and think it could enhance your enjoyment of the hobby...make it happen.

That decrease in price is what got me thinking Jim. I recently finally took the time to finally figure out some CAD software (after resisting for years), and now was wondering how you guys were using the technology in the practical world. Thanks to all for sharing, you got the wheels turning. Not sure if I could utilize one right now, but I'm sure one will take up some of my floor space at some point in the future.

[William Adams]

Made a pair of locking register calipers:

384736

384737

(modeled after the pair in H.O. Studley's tool cabinet)

Need to find the time to remake them in brass w/ a bit of additional ornamentation --- the file (as an SVG) is on the Shapeoko wiki ---- possible to post it here?

[Paul Phillips]

Some nice work on here, so many talented people.
I'm a bit different as I run a machine for a sign shop that specializes in custom sign systems for the resort industry. Just got one of the new Apex models from MultiCam about 9 months ago, 8hp 32k rpm spindle, 6 tool auto changer, vacuum table, very fast, very smooth, my dream machine.
384799
Some signs I have done with it. This photo doesn't do it justice but this is an acrylic lighted box, 2" deep, metallic paint over white Acrylic then routed the pattern through the paint, backlit with LED's, letters are push-thru.
384800
Routed MDF with cold metal finish.
384801
MDF and cold metal finish, shells are routed and cast from a master mold then applied.
384802
These sanddollars were routed out of 3 layers of 2" HDU then glued together and faux finished, they go in a water feature at a resort restaurant in St. Lucia.
384803

[Mick Simon]

Great machine. Did you get that from Jack? Very knowledgeable and an all-around good guy.

[Paul Phillips]

Hi Mick, yes I went through Jack, I agree, I would absolutely recommend him.

[Robert Bonenfant]

Back to the OP's Questions - A Cnc Router can Make the world of Difference.

When I first started my company I could make 25 - 40 items per day with my table saw and basic tools. Now with our routers running full blast we can easily make well over 1000 parts per day. Going back to what you said, I started my company as a Hobby and added the right tools and got the right contracts and now we are a full blown production shop. Its very easy to forget that a Cnc is simply a tool and owning a Cnc doesn't make you money unless your willing to work hard and you have to be able to sell your products or yourself as a service provider.

Im not going to just tell you all the niche products we have researched and created - Wheres the fun in that. I will say, that almost any large business or restaurant will be full of items done with a Cnc router or machining center. I was just at Verizon and all of there wall decor, cabinets and counters were made using a Cnc router. We just completed a large job for a Local Bar, We did all the wall decor, bar components, and a really custom bar front (37 sheets of MDF were used on the bar fronts alone). The Cnc router made it possible for us to do this.

[Ted Reischl]

I am a hobbyist sort of guy. Been woodworking for about 35 years. Built my cnc machine 10 years ago. The other day I was reminded of just how useful a CNC machine can be. I am building a clay roller machine for my wife (rolls globs of clay flat like a pancake). It has a top 32 X 84. Yup, needed to be flattened. Nope, did not fit in my machine without a lot of fooling around. So there I was, flattening it by hand. Oh, what fun!! Nothing beats standing there for several hours pushing a plane back and forth. What a thrill!!! Normally I just put panels in the machine and they get flattened. I have no need to push planes around to prove to myself I can do it like the boys did it back in 1784. But, moving along. . . . what do I use it for?

Jigs. Made an easy segment jig a while back. Requires very accurate angle templates. Easy on the CNC.

Wanted a hollowing rig for my lathe. Needed to bore some accurate holes in aluminum blocks, like 1 inch in diameter by 3 inches deep.

Decided to build a threading jig for the lathe also, you guessed it, used the CNC to machine up the accurate parts needed.

The clay machine. Needs accurate side plates that hold the roller, wheels, bearings, etc. Made them out of 3/8 aluminum on the CNC.

Cutting mortise and tenons. I proved to myself that I could do it by hand and with other machines for many years. The first few hundred mortise and tenons were fun. Not so much anymore, I just let the machine do them and get on with the woodworking. You see, woodworking to me is not pounding a chisel with a mallet, yup, everyone should do it enough of it so they know how to use them proficiently, but day after day? Nah. Unless of course someone is doing it because they really enjoy it, or for exercise, stress relief, etc. Then more power to them. BTW, I still hand cut dovetails cause I like the way they look.

Ah, a weird little project I did a few weeks ago. Scales. Yanno, the things with the numbers on them, some folks call them rulers. I had some 1 1/4 wide X 1/8 thick walnut scraps from a project. I put a cheapo laser on my CNC a while back, engraves nicely. So I made up a bunch of rulers. Several of them are center finding 12 inch rulers. Some are right to left reading. I did both sides. Walnut is handy because in my shop I work with a lot of light colored woods, my bench top is maple and things that are light in color tend to not get found right away. Walnut sticks out nicely and for me it is easy to read the marks.

Oh yea? Did I mention that I made up 3, 3inch face plates for the lathe from aluminum? Or the three aluminum sanding discs that fit on the lathe?

What I am getting at is that a CNC is an extremely useful tool. It is accurate. Sort of like having your own personal tool maker in your shop. I am not big into Oooo'ng and Ahh'nggg over "carvings" done on a CNC. However, I do some carving, like the peace and quiet. I find the CNC is quite useful in roughing out relief carvings. Lots of guys do it with a hand held router anyhow. Another one of those "Once you have hogged out the background a couple of times, it is not much fun." In the "good old days" that is why the real woodworkers had apprentices, they stuck them with all the miserable, tedious, laborious jobs so they could do the interesting stuff that required some skill. Just my opinion.....

[james mcgrew]

Maybe My website could answer the question

www.mcgrewwoodwork.com

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I'll have to admit, I started this thread as a bit of a skeptic, but you guys are definitely turning me. I can think of several jigs I'd make right away, and hadn't considered the possibility of milling aluminum. Thanks for all the responses, eye opening!

[Jim Becker]

"You will be assimilated... " :D :D :D

[Ted Reischl]

Think of CNC sort of like back in the "good old days" when everything was sawed by hand. . . and then, the table saw showed up.

Here is a simple quick thing I did late this afternoon. I am creating an additional hardware drawer to keep all the parts, screws, knobs, etc in. Wanted to egg crate it. Sooo, just drew up the piece of lumber I was going to use, put the slots in it, put it in the vises on the machine and about 15 minutes later I was putting it together in the drawer. I did use the table saw to cut the pieces to thickness after the slots were milled on the CNC. Sure beats leaning over a table saw or fussing with a RAS to get them lined up accurately.

One of my favorites is when I build jigs. Instead of using carriage bolts I just mill a hex to hold the nut or head of the bolt. One can get very creative when they start figuring out all the things that are now easy instead of being a PITA.

[AL Ursich]

I have a Hobby Grade CNC, a CarveWright. It works for what I need it for. Wood Handles for Fire Department Accountability Boards, Sheet Stock cut into Fire Accountability Tags, Clocks, Tourist stuff and Wood Signs.

[Bill George]

Al, Wow all looks nice!

[Michael Thames]

I'm building a space shuttle with mine!

[David Falkner]

Well, Michael, if it's anything like your guitars it ought to at least sound fantastic! ;)

David

[Jim Becker]

I'm building a space shuttle with mine!

Well, that's not a bad image, given how lovely your instruments sound...they have been sending me "to the moon" each time I listen to one of the videos. I truly appreciate your craft. (just watched the one with the three FE-17 reproductions the other night --wow!)

[Michael Thames]

Yea, don't know if it will leave earth orbit. If it's not perfect I tell people we aren't gonna orbit the earth in it, or it's good enough for jazz.

[Michael Thames]

Jim, glad you've enjoyed the videos! Yea those FE-17 reproductions took the life out of me! Lots of work, much harder trying to copy a historical piece than just make your own ... ha!

[Klaus Madsen]

Where can we see the videos? Any link?

Cheers

[Jim Becker]

Where can we see the videos? Any link?

Cheers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7NugrUNvx0mc9m9mZtatA

[Adam Bullington]

I just made this box for my wife. It is a prototype but made out of one piece of wood no joints at all except where the box lid meets the bottom. It is 5.25 W x 10 L x 2.5 deep white oak. still in rough form not been sanded yet but it took 22 min on my shopsabre IS 408 10hp atc387994387995 I have since produced 4 more and have reduced the time to 13 min total processing time

[Jim Becker]

That's a really nice design, Adam...great for a wide variety of box uses!

[Adam Bullington]

The lid is hollowed out too just like the bottom it will accommodate about a 1 7/8 tall item when fully closed

[Adam Bullington]

I would be glad to share the file if you want it?

[Jim Becker]

I would be glad to share the file if you want it?
I'd absolutely love to try out the file. I would be a nice bases for several things I'm thinking of doing and your method of just milling it out of a thick board is brilliant!

[Adam Bullington]

pm me your info and i'll send it over

[Bill George]

What format is it in? I would be interested also.

[Adam Bullington]

Bill, It is designed in Vcarve Pro pm me your info and ill email it over.

[Mark Bolton]

Interested in what tool your using for the hollowing and flat bottom? Is it flip/2 sided machining for the lid (recess to fit the gallery in the base and is there a recess on the bottom or just flat?).

We run some products with deep recesses like that and always looking for core box type bits that leave little to no cleanup in the base.

Nice work.

[Brad Shipton]

Mark, these (https://www.vortextool.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=153&CFID=35761434&CFTOKEN=b02b453e926eedfe-016A34D9-FC8F-EDD9-29DEEAF28DB02DFF) leave the bottom of a pocket very smooth. They have a small rad at the outer edges of the cutter, and that eliminates the lines with typical spiral cutters.

[Klaus Madsen]

Thanks Jim.

[Adam Bullington]

Mark,

I used a 3/8" downcut to hollow out the lid and bottom with a final profile cut full depth taking off 3/16 with a 3/8 ballnose which gives you the small 3/16 radius on the bottom section of the pocket. The "Love" side of the lid was done first then the whole 5.25x22x1.25 board was flipped and then the hollowed box bottom and underside of the lid was done all together. I am willing to sent the files to whoever wants to try it. just PM me with your info. All I ask is you give feedback on what you think and any good or bad points you may see. Thanks

[Ted Reischl]

I use mine for lots of stuff. Recently:

388208

Those are parts for a wooden clock. It is Brian Law's Clock 22. 14 gears, ratchets, etc. Sure, yup, it can be done on a scroll saw. If you do not mind sitting and staring at one spot for untold hours.

Here is another simple thing I did after buying a compound slide for the lathe. It had a damaged ball crank on the compound, it was not very usable and I have not found one yet on line. So I made this one up:

388209

You can see it on the right hand edge, I need one like is on the opposite side of the pic.

The crank is 1/2 aluminum. Bored the hole and profiled the outside, also bored the hole for the tap holding the handle.

Oh, I had a slab of mahogany that was all warped out of shape. About 14 X 30 X 2. I put it on the router, stuck in a 1.5 dia bit and flattened it. The mahogany can be seen in the first picture, it is what all the pieces are piled on. I cut half laps to get good grain orientation and will be doing a lot of machining to those frames as soon as all the bearings arrive.

A cnc router is a really handy machine to have in the shop. I built my own, it is pretty much mostly CNC Router Parts stuff. I saved a few bucks by sourcing some of the more common stuff locally.