How to square

[kubotaman]

Okay, I ordered an indexer, haven't received it yet, and have a very simple question. What would be the procedure to square a blank using the indexer so I would be able to put some designs on it?? :confused:

[Gary Campbell]

Daryl...
I will take a stab at it.
mount blank
set zero to center
do a rastered area clear at z height = 1/2 desired size
rotate to 90 degrees
repeat area clear
rotate to 180
repeat area clear
rotate to 270
repeat area clear

[kubotaman]

Gary, thanks for the reply. I realize I would have to rotate the necessary 90 degrees etc. How would I rotate the necessary 90 degrees? maybe a silly question but am new to the indexer, sorry.

[myxpykalix]

Your indexer moves in degrees so 360 degrees is one revolution so if you are flat on top them just do a MB 90 and that should rotate it one forth to the next side.
Randall Newcomb has done some excellent indexer tutorials, not sure if they are back online but are for elementary and experienced users.

[kubotaman]

Jack, thanks for the reply. Your answer "mb 90'" explains a lot to me. Thanks

[myxpykalix]

Assuming your indexer is on B then
MB360 1 revolution
MB3600 10 revolutions
MB36000 100 revolutions ect

I think i have some pictures and tutorial info i can send you that might give you some general knowlege

[bill.young]

For another option there's a "Turn blank to polygon" option in the Indexer Virtual Tool [TI] that might be helpful.

[rcnewcomb]

You can also use the Vector Unwrapper gadget:

[kubotaman]

Bill and Randall, where are your suggestions located? I can't find either of them or is it in some software that I will receive when I get my indexer I ordered? If in Aspire where is it???

[jdervin]

For Bill's suggestion, from within the normal ShopBot control software, simply type "TI" (without the quotes) or click on the "Tools" menu and select "Indexer". A window will pop up asking what you want to do. Select the fourth option down the list: "Turn the blank into a polygon with multiple faces" and proceed from there. I would suggest that you practice with some air cuts and then on a piece of scrap before working on your actual piece.

[rcnewcomb]

Daryl,
If you are just wanting to carve on a square area like in the example below, the easiest way is to start with a 4x4 (or whatever size) and don't round a portion of it. The only slightly tricky part is to ensure that your material is level. I put a link to a brief video that shows how I level the material.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Vx-5uVFC8

[myxpykalix]

Randall...you don't think you could have found a easier way to do that? That seems like an awful lot of work to me....lol

I never thought of that. What i had done was to take a L square and laid the bottom on the aluminum track and the side up against the side of the wood.

Actually the simpilest thing to do is just cut it on the tablesaw.