Hi folks,
This is my first post here after a few days of poking around the forum and doing general research on ShopBot products. I'm very seriously considering my first CNC machine purchase, and ShopBot seems to be the obvious choice based on product quality, customer feedback, and level of support. Being a complete CNC newbie, I have some questions about the suitability of CNC for some of what I'd like to do. I'm hoping the members here can help provide me with some answers. Given my application and space limitations (and budget), I'm considering the ShopBot Desktop model.
I run a side business building custom table tennis paddles, so all of the questions/comments below are related to cutting wood. I currently use mdf paddle templates and a table-mounted router and pattern bit to cut out each paddle. It works and gives me repeatability, but I do have two primary issues:
1. Paddle/handle shapes vary, and for each combination I need to create a new mdf template. I wouldn't be surprised if I have 40-50 templates I have to keep track of and store, and that number is growning. I wouldn't mind eliminating the mdf templates and the time it takes to create them.
2. Regardless of the type of trim bit I use (straight, shear, spiral), router speed, or feed rate, I do usually end up with some tear-out along the edge. Nothing really bad, but it's something I like to eliminate if I can.
So, one of the main expectations I have is that CNC will address both of these issue. Obviously, I'll need to climb the learning curve for the software/hardware before I'll see any time savings, but given that this application is fairly simple, my hope is that it won't take too long. Regarding #2, my expecation is that the appropriate feed rate and multiple passes will eliminate tear-out. Are these reasonable expectations?
I've had a number of request for an engraved personalizations as well as my own desire to place a serial number on each paddle. This is another big consideration for me in deciding whether or not to take the CNC plunge. My concern is about how small the text can be with CNC and still look crisp and uniform. Ideally, I would like to have characters about 1/8" in height (3mm or so). Can this be accomplished? It would be fantastic if some of you could post some photos here of examples of small text cut into wood. If it matters, I am considering the spindle option on the Desktop model (more for the reduced noise over the router, although I imagine its precision would be a plus for small text).
I also have some questions related to the included software. I do plan to download the eval version of VCarve Pro to get familiar with it, but I thought I'd go ahead and throw out some questions. I couldn't find any reference manual posted at the Vectric site, or I would have checked there first. Most of the paddles I design are symmetric, and I currently design the shape with Photoshop creating the left half of the shape, and then reflect the curve to get the full shape. Photoshop isn't the ideal app for doing this, but I had it so I made it work. I'm assuming that VCarve Pro (rebranded as PartWorks, I understand) has similar functionality?
While I don't expect to jump right into this next task, at some point I would like to use CNC to shape the handle grips, too. As with the paddle itself, I currently use mdf templates to cut and shape the handle grips. This would involve 3D modelling of the handle grips. Would the bundled software handle (no pun intended) 3D or would that require a different software package?
Thanks in advance for your help.