finally took the plunge!

[Ajcoholic]

Yesterday I finally ordered my shopbot (a 48" Buddy Alpha, with the 48" powerstick and a 4HP spindle and the Aspire software). I have been in the custom furniture business all my life (I am 41, grew up in the family business and have been running it since the mid 1990's).

I recently moved our shop to a new 6000 sq foot location, and believe it or not space was tight, too much so to have a dedicated 4 by 8 machine. For what I want to do with the CNC, which is mainly aid in shaping furniture parts, chair and stool seats and parts, some carving, etc I think the Buddy will serve me well. I was able to go to the AWFS show in Vegas last summer and got to see the machines and software in person. Although I looked at a lot of other machines, I think I made the right choice, although time will tell...

It has bee a LONG time since I did any CNC programming... 18 years in fact. But I have to learn it to use the machine!

Should be here sometime in February... can't wait!! :)

Andrew J. Coholic

[chiloquinruss]

"But I have to learn it to use the machine! That is no longer the case in the cnc world. With Aspire and the ShopBot software it is very easy now. Your big plus is you already understand the cnc issues so all you have to do is go to the Vectric website and do all the tutorials. You can also download the ShopBot software and run it in preview mode long before your machine shows up. You will wonder how you ever did without it. :) Congrats and welcome to the best forum on the net! Russ

[Ajcoholic]

Thanks Russ! I have been lurking here for a while, part of the reason I chose a shopbot.

I am lucky, I have a very good woodworking background (in terms of cutting tools, feed speeds and cut loads etc) and I remember a lot of my woodworking college days yet. However, I have to get myself familiar with the software (I do have both Partworks and Aspire already, they let me download it after I paid my bill).

I am very excited - but I will be more so after I get a handle on the programming part.

I do plan to go down to NC and take the 2 day course as well.

I am sure I will take advantage of the collective knowledge here as well!

AJC

[GlenP]

Hey Andrew. Congrats on the purchase and welcome to our piece of the net. Everyone is very friendly here so if you have a question ask....the only bad question is one not asked. Good to see another Ontario Canada botter. I am quite south of you but if I ever get up your way I will look you up. As far as courses go you may find you are way ahead of the game if you have some experience with cnc. I agree the programming software is ALLOT better than years ago. Another course that is good is the one David Bushbaum puts on. David is a extremely great guy and master when it comes to woodworking and the bot. Shopbot should be able to give you info on his course. If you ever get down my way look me up. I am 2 hours east of Toronto in a small town called Campbellford. Have fun with new machine. Does your business have a website so we can see your work?

[Ajcoholic]

Glen,
I do not have a website. I might look into it in the future. We have always been busy, if you do good work you dont have to advertise, at least not in my experience. Word of mouth and satisfied customers are the cheapest advertising!

I have ideas to expand what products I can offer, especially with the bot. Never a shortage with ideas, but always a shortage of time.. I am one of those who wishes I could spend 24 hours a day in my workshop. :)

If you ever find yourself up around Timmins, by all means look me up. My shop is out near the city airport.

AJC

[COBOB]

Are you the same ajcoholic from WCI? If so, what a small world, huh?

BobT

[Ajcoholic]

Thats me... I dont think there are too many of us around ;)

I have always used my real name on any forum I have been a member of - keeps things easy, and people get to know who they are communicating with.

I am hoping to finish up a few small figures this weekend I have been working on... but now that I am forcing myself to spend some time most evenings with the software, that leave me less time to spare for things like carving!

One of the things I am looking forward to using the Shopbot to do is incorporate carvings into my furniture. I have a butternut deacon's bench I was going to hand carve the back panel - but I am going to see if I can do it with the shopbot. It should allow me to add these types of things to my product, at a price that wont put it out of the price range of my customers. And doing some detailing on cabinet doors, mantles and fireplace surrounds, table skirts, etc.

It is a small world, indeed!

AJC

[COBOB]

It sounds like exciting times for you. I seem to get more carving done now, I carve while the bot carves. I seem to get more done.

I look forward to seeing some of the furniture carvings.

Bob

[Ajcoholic]

Bob,
I am slowly learning the Aspire software... it is going better than expected. I chose a few pretty ambitious first projects to work on...

This is one example I am hoping to use my machine for... I spent about 6 hours hand carving the seat for this rocker (I had also posted a pic on WCI). I am hoping I can save time by rough carving parts such as this, on the Shopbot - while I am spending time doing other things. I have a million ideas for the machine already... and it isnt even going to be here for another two or three weeks :)


http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0743.jpg

[Ajcoholic]

Well my machine should be shipping out this coming week... hard to believe Tuesday will be 4 weeks since I placed my order already.

I am starting to feel like I am about to go out on a first date... a little sick to my stomach, some butterflies - but in a good way :)

I was lucky enough to put in a bunch of time with the software but I have far to go yet. I am so buy at work, I don't have a lot of time to spend "studying". I have been working on several projects to try and cut on the machine when it gets here and set up. I am sure I will have plenty of questions at that time, and in the future...

AJC

[jhedlund58]

your bought the right stuff.... shopbot and ASPIRE.... aspire will give u the freedom to make your shopbot do what u want.. good luck and have fun. i bought aspire with my buddy and don't know how they do it with the software that comes with the machine.... Buddy and Aspiire a good combo

[GDGeorge]

Hi Andrew,

I just got my desktop this week. I'm enjoying the heck out of it too. I've found it a lot easier to deal with than my other (built by a fellow in his garage...) machine both at the hardware and software levels.

Now admittedly, I don't have my business centered on this thing and, in fact at this point it's more of a hobby. From what you've said though, I think you'll be able to do a lot of what you're planning very quickly after setting up the machine.

Cheers,
Jerry

[michael_schwartz]

Aspire paid for its self within the first 3 projects, I did with it. I don't know why I waited a year to upgrade.

[Ajcoholic]

Well, I have several projects under way, from cutting mutiple parts out of sheet stock, to 3D shaped saddle seats, to some signs, some shaped parts for furniture, etc.

I am hoping when I get the actual machine I wont have too much trouble going from my drawing/modeled part/toolpaths to cutting the actual part.

It has been a LONG time (well, April 1995 to be exact) since I have milled anything on a CNC machine. Back then, we drew everything in Autocad 11, took it into Mastercam and then transferred it to the Wadkin CNC router we were using at the college I attended. That was a neat rig, the large table moved in X and Y, with the head stationary except for up/down for the Z. Very much like a large milling machine.

Anyhow, we'll see if it gets shipped out this week like it is supposed to. I imagine it will take at least 4 or 5 days to get here from North Carolina - based on machinery I have had shipped from the US in the past. The electrician is supposed to come this week and wire everything in.

Although I have 3,100 square feet in my workshop, every bit is taken up. I have a temporary spot for the Buddy, but in the spring I will add another room to the heated part of my shop (I have a 6,000 sq ft building but only 1/2 is insulated and heated for my working shop).

When it gets here and un crated I will post some photos :)

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

Well, no buddy this week :( It appears that Shopbot are waiting for the aluminum enclosure for the electronics.

I hope it gets picked up next week, still hope to have it running before the end of February.

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

Well, at the end of the workday today (Friday the 17th) I received an email from Shopbot saying my buddy went out on the truck!

So, it should be here next week! Excited? Just a we bit :) The electrician was just in two days ago running the 40 amp 240V, and 25 amp 120V lines... the dust collector is ready to go - all I need is my bot!

Very cool...

AJC

[MogulTx]

GOOD FOR YOU!

I have owned 3 Shopbots so far... I have enjoyed each of them- and they are all a thrill to get and install! You will have some frustrations- but they are MINOR and they are well worth it! I have just installed number 3 and know the anticipation that you must feel right now. Savor it.

Monty

[myxpykalix]

I can hear the anticipation in your writing, like a little kid before Christmas:rolleyes:

We all feel it when our bots are delivered, only Ted Hall looks nothing like Santa:D

[Brady Watson]

Well, at the end of the workday today (Friday the 17th) I received an email from Shopbot saying my buddy went out on the truck!

So, it should be here next week! Excited? Just a we bit :) The electrician was just in two days ago running the 40 amp 240V, and 25 amp 120V lines... the dust collector is ready to go - all I need is my bot!

Very cool...

AJC

It'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, go through the Aspire tutorials and suck in as much knowledge as you can from this forum & the Vectric forum. The Vectric software is a bit more creative & right-brained than AutoCAD, but just as precise.

You can start designing a project that you can cut as soon as you get it running.

-B

[Ajcoholic]

It'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, go through the Aspire tutorials and suck in as much knowledge as you can from this forum & the Vectric forum. The Vectric software is a bit more creative & right-brained than AutoCAD, but just as precise.

You can start designing a project that you can cut as soon as you get it running.

-B

Oh, I've been working on Aspire since I paid for the machine, and got the software downloaded :) I have several projects I am working on, mainly parts for furniture and related stuff since that is what I do for a living.

I got the actual Aspire DVD's with tutorials about a week after I ordered my machine, and have been watching and reading through them as much as I can, as well.

Since I work a full day (usually 7am to 5 or 6pm) and then help take care of our 10 month old at home, I havent had as much time as I had hoped for but I have been working at least a few hours every second night, and some time on weekends trying to learn the software.

I should be ready when the machine is set up, to cut something!

AJC

[tmerrill]

Andrew,

If you haven't joined the Vectric forum yet (www.vectric.com), I would suggest doing so.

It would be another great source of info and compliments the ShopBot forum in many ways.

Tim

[Ajcoholic]

Well my Buddy is about 3 1/2 hours away! It is due to arrive tomorrow.

I am actually home today off work, watching my son (he has pneumonia and couldnt go to daycare). Luckily my wife is off tomorrow and I will be able to go to work, and hopefully unload, uncrate and wire in the bot. Not sure if I will have a chance to try any cutting, but if not tomorrow - Friday for sure.

One of the things I want to try first, is a really neat roast slicing board. My father and I have been making them (the hard way) for years. The whole surface of the board is sloped, and we use jigs and a wedge shaped fixture on the lathe to do them - it is dangerous and time consuming. It was quite easy to set up a cut file with Aspire to make them. Cant wait to try it! That, and a few signs, and a carved out chair seat.

My tracks came in yesterday for making the working surface/spoil board so I can work on getting that set up tomorrow as well.

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0783.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0782.jpg

Well, we had a big storm last night and some of the highways were closed... so the transport delivering my bot didnt get to my shop until late afternoon.

I managed to get the machine uncrated, and wheeled into its temporary position in my shop. Tomorrow I will have to get it wired in, finish the assembly, dust collection and fire it up!

I was working like crazy today from before 7 am to when the bot arrived close to 4pm... tomorrow I will dedicate all day to trying to get it ready to run.

AJC

[myxpykalix]

Andrew,
That is a NICE shop, sadly the only thing it is lacking is SAWDUST on the floor!:)
At different times while doing a project my shop is an inch deep in dust, then i have to do my yearly spring cleaning!:eek:

[Ajcoholic]

Thank Jack, many dont believe I actually work here daily, and produce a LOT of shavings and dust! I have a decent dust collector, and most of my machinery (20" planer, 16" jointer, 14" radial arm, 14" panel saw, 10" table saw, 36" wide belt sander, 8' stroke sander, 6x108"edge sander, two band saws and my tilting arbor shaper) has excellent dust collection so almost nothing gets on the floor. I make more mess with the hand tools, and hand sanding (and running my lathe) than anything else. Also, I suffer (really) from OCD and I have a really hard time dealing with messy surroundings. All of my tools are put away at the end of the day, and I never leave things in a mess. Otherwise I get quite agitated. Also makes me difficult to work with.. as most cannot understand my drive to stay in order. But I digress!

I plan to open up the wall that the two band saws are currently against, and close in a new room 20' by 8' to house the bot. Will wait until the spring when the cold weather has subsided, and a few big boats I am storing on the other side of that wall (unheated side of my shop) are gone.

I was reading through the provided binder tonight, with all the control stuff. It is intimidating! I thought once I had a handle on the design software things would be easy but now I feel intimidated once again..

We'll see how tomorrow goes. I am determined to cut something - if not tomorrow sometime this weekend. But we'll see how it goes :) Still have enough work to do, to wire her up and tap into my dust system, make my table, etc.

Here is a shot of my shop from the window, (where the plywood is standing up) towards the front end.

AJC

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0785.jpg

[myxpykalix]

I think if you have OCD and a need to keep things in order then i am going to invite you over and lock you in my shop for a day or two till it gets cleaned up because I am the opposite of you!:eek:

Depending on what program you got with your machine there should be sample projects already done that you can cut the first day. There are however some simple "first steps" you need to make when setting up a file in the computer and on the table that you need to be aware of so before you "hit the switch" you may want to send me an email or call to make sure you don't cut a hole in your table and have your coordinates set up correctly first. myxpykalix@hotmail.com

[Xray]

CNC is always intimidating when you:
* First contemplate getting one
* Make your first cuts

Its all downhill from there.
You obviously have a good work working background and a nice shop, a CNC router is really nothing more than a glorified power tool. As with any tool, its up to the operator to make it create the desired results ,, Some hands on trial & error is required to speed you along the learning curve.

[CNYDWW]

Thank Jack, many dont believe I actually work here daily, and produce a LOT of shavings and dust! I have a decent dust collector, and most of my machinery (20" planer, 16" jointer, 14" radial arm, 14" panel saw, 10" table saw, 36" wide belt sander, 8' stroke sander, 6x108"edge sander, two band saws and my tilting arbor shaper) has excellent dust collection so almost nothing gets on the floor. I make more mess with the hand tools, and hand sanding (and running my lathe) than anything else. Also, I suffer (really) from OCD and I have a really hard time dealing with messy surroundings. All of my tools are put away at the end of the day, and I never leave things in a mess. Otherwise I get quite agitated. Also makes me difficult to work with.. as most cannot understand my drive to stay in order. But I digress!

I plan to open up the wall that the two band saws are currently against, and close in a new room 20' by 8' to house the bot. Will wait until the spring when the cold weather has subsided, and a few big boats I am storing on the other side of that wall (unheated side of my shop) are gone.

I was reading through the provided binder tonight, with all the control stuff. It is intimidating! I thought once I had a handle on the design software things would be easy but now I feel intimidated once again..

We'll see how tomorrow goes. I am determined to cut something - if not tomorrow sometime this weekend. But we'll see how it goes :) Still have enough work to do, to wire her up and tap into my dust system, make my table, etc.

Here is a shot of my shop from the window, (where the plywood is standing up) towards the front end.

AJC

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0785.jpg

I'm like a mad scientist when i work. There is a process but not to many people can follow it scraps and shavings on the floor tools in odd places etc. Once the project is done it's all spic and span though.

[chiloquinruss]

I can thank a high school shop teacher for making sure I got the message about a clean shop. It was all about safety and how a shop with 'stuff' everywhere was actualy a pretty dangerous place to work. After more than 50 years I still have all of my fingers and most of my hair! :)

Great looking shop, love the DC system very nice. Russ

[CNYDWW]

I can thank a high school shop teacher for making sure I got the message about a clean shop. It was all about safety and how a shop with 'stuff' everywhere was actualy a pretty dangerous place to work. After more than 50 years I still have all of my fingers and most of my hair! :)

Great looking shop, love the DC system very nice. Russ

I meant more like, pile next to the table saw, stacks of scrap behind the miter saw. I also tend to walk away with my own screw guns, chisels and tape measures. Oh and just don't look under the work table. :rolleyes:

[adrianm]

All I can say is that workshop space must be a lot cheaper in the USA than it is in the UK!

Not at all jealous......

[bleeth]

Andy's in Canada!!!
But I have learned over the years that assuming you are running a business and not a hobby the additional cost for a shop that has sufficient room for tools and product storage and the discipline to keep it organized results in the ability to do more production more efficiently. Space is just another tool.

Andy: Darn fine looking shop!

[adrianm]

Oops. :o

That amount of space would come in at roughly £25,000 pa including taxes pa to rent where I live. To buy it would be over £300,000.

Fortunately I can do everything my business needs in my own 10m x 3m workshop as it would require a pretty big increase in efficiency to generate that sort of money!

[danhamm]

Yes it looks like a nice playplace for guys.. you have a large shop to Dave I was snooping, the pics from your camp...looks like lotsa room.

My shop gets really small in the winter..to many toys like campers snowmobiles 4 wheelers..gets cramped..sorry didn't meant snaffle the thread..

[bleeth]

If you saw a picture of it today Dan it wouldn't look so big. Andrew has some toys that I wish the nature of my business would justify like that nice wide planer and sander, flatbed jointer, edge sander, etc. as I miss doing actual woodwork. Unfortunately in my part of the US the customer appreciation and the skilled workforce for the "real thing" doesn't exist enough for a shop like that to survive (don't ask me how I know or I'll write a book).
You are right though, it is Andy's thread about the joys of new SB ownership. I can still recreate in my mind what it felt like when I pulled off the first test project with mine and it was fabulous. Once in a while I still do something on it that gives me that same kick. Does that make me a Shopbot junky? My edgebander is actually a heck of a lot more sophisticated electronically but no tool in the shop does "IT" like the blue bomber.

[curtiss]

From the looks of your shop.... it seems you "took the plunge!" on a few ......other things..... before buying the bot.

[Ajcoholic]

A little history... I grew up in a woodworking business. My dad is a really wonderfull furniture designer and builder, and I was lucky enough to be forced to work from age of 12 or 13 with him ;) - at the time I didnt realize it but it shaped the path I was headed on. I later went to woodworking college for three years, and then took over. That was nearly 20 years ago. We had a nice 4000 sq ft shop equipped pretty much as you see now, but I sold that 2 years ago, moved to a larger town and set up a brand new shop. Pretty much the same machinery (except for the bot).

I need the room, as I do everything from custom kitchens - which obviously take a lot of room, to suites of bedroom furniture, dining tables and chairs, etc. The shop appears larger than it really is, I have it crammed pretty well with machinery and carts/tables :)

ANyhow, I dont mind talking shop as I love my work. I consider myself very lucky to get to be able to build custom stuff to order, and I dont have to try and make a go at things I'd rather not touch (like melamine - no offense to those that make that their livelihood). There still seems to be a need here for custom woodworking - and I hope there will be for atleast the next 25 years or so I need to keep working!

Now back to the bot... today was a VERY good day! I managed to get the machine wired in and tested out. after lunch, I loaded and cut three of my own files. Will post pics and so forth now, as I discuss them for those who are interested!

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

The first file I tried to cut, was for a cutting board design I really like. Used to make these with jigs for the hand router, to rough them out, and then finish them on the lathe on a special tapered off set fixture. Dangerous, and time consuming.

The bot makes this effortless. And instead of spending 3 hours on one board, it took minutes to load the file a set up the cut and about 20 minutes to run it.

I left the dust collector off for the first few jobs.

AJC

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0787.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0790.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0794.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0795.jpg

[Ajcoholic]

The next thing to try was a little sign for the door of my son's room. Easy, but of course everyone has to try a V carved sign, right?!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0799.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0800.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0801.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0802.jpg

[Ajcoholic]

My third and final job to try was a test of the saddle seat I was working on. I took a poplar (cheap) blank to test run the file.

It turned out really well! I will redo the file to slightly widen the carve, otherwise the contours are next to perfect. I want to make a few stools using these for a show I am exhibiting in at the end of April. It would normally take me 2 hours to hand carve a set like this in hardwood. The bot took less than an hour, but I know I can speed up the cut as the bit was taking too much time IMO.

I put the dust collector shoe on for this and it makes a heck of a difference.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0804.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0806.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0809.jpghttp://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0810.jpg

[Ajcoholic]

Based on my experiences today, and using the Aspire software for the past 5 weeks, I think I made the correct choice for my shop. I was looking at other machines, some a lot more $$ and that would have taken me years to be able to save for.

This Alpha Buddy should do what I need it to do, and do it well, and let me work on other things while its doing its thing!

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but if someone else is perhaps in my position and on the fence - I think it will really open up potential for things that were either too time consuming or too costly (or too much trouble) to do before.

Cool...

[danhamm]

Hey Canuck, a tip of my cowboy hat..fantastic work on your first cuts..

[genek]

the shop bot can carve that seat real easy... if you got the copying probe you can realy get it going faster.. i bought a shop bot in 08 let it sit till 2011 got mad at my self for being afraid of it.. and decide to learn it or break it... it has shaved so much time off my work... i am down to working 3 days a week instead of 6... and enjoying my work again.

[beacon14]

I'm only half OCD - I walk around wishing my shop were cleaner than it is.

What a great place to play - er, work.

Enjoy, you are obviously off to a fast start.

[michael_schwartz]

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but if someone else is perhaps in my position and on the fence - I think it will really open up potential for things that were either too time consuming or too costly (or too much trouble) to do before.

Cool...

You may even find it profitable to work on projects you would have never touched before. It is a really a nice feeling when your able to cut something in 10-20 minutes knowing it would have taken a day to to the layout, and cut a template for that one part by hand.

If you can draw it, and it can be cut on a 3 axis machine it really doesn't take any more effort to make it now. I remember in the past having to debate between setting up an swinging long arcs with a large trammel jig, or cutting them on the bandsaw, and spending hours fairing the curve.

[dana_swift]

Those are amazing first cuts.. I wasn't making things like that for quite a while. The bot changed the way I think about building things. When a design is still churning in my mind I imagine how to set up the material, cut slices of the finished item, how to assemble the result, etc.

The ideas available on the forum are invaluable.

Buying a shopbot is not just purchasing a machine, its joining a community.

One place where you and I are very different is our shop. In my shop I have to step outside to get enough room to change my mind! I am envious..

One note- the SB dust foot works, but it is mostly in the way of bit changes. Get the one from Kent CNC, its radically better. You will appreciate the advice once you use the improved version.

Looking forward to see what you do in the future-

D

[gerryv]

Very nice work Andrew. Nice setup too; what's the square footage as it stands?

That's an interesting cutting board design - what's the purpose of the slanted cutting surface, to allow juices to run off perhaps?

Do you foresee the Shopbot replacing the stroke sander on smaller jobs? If that's the case you realize of course that we'll be watching as you order a 5'x 10' model next year :D

[Ajcoholic]

Those are amazing first cuts.. I wasn't making things like that for quite a while. The bot changed the way I think about building things. When a design is still churning in my mind I imagine how to set up the material, cut slices of the finished item, how to assemble the result, etc.

The ideas available on the forum are invaluable.

Buying a shopbot is not just purchasing a machine, its joining a community.

One place where you and I are very different is our shop. In my shop I have to step outside to get enough room to change my mind! I am envious..

One note- the SB dust foot works, but it is mostly in the way of bit changes. Get the one from Kent CNC, its radically better. You will appreciate the advice once you use the improved version.

Looking forward to see what you do in the future-

D

Well, I have to say I was on the fence with what machine to purchase for the past two years. Once I started lurking around here, and later joined - I realized that what you say is true; that the community of botters and the service provided by the company is invaluable. Especially when, like myself, you are alone and far away from anyone else with cnc experience.

If I had one thing to complain about so far, it would be the adjustment screw for the dust collector foot is a PITA to access. I will certainly check out the one you are talking about. Or, (since I also have two mills and a lathe, and do metalworking as well)I might try and design a replacement myself with an easier to adjust mechanism.

I have read a LOT of what you experienced guys have discussed here the past few years... trust me, I have taken a lot of it in and pay attention to most of it. Thanks!

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

Very nice work Andrew. Nice setup too; what's the square footage as it stands?

That's an interesting cutting board design - what's the purpose of the slanted cutting surface, to allow juices to run off perhaps?

Do you foresee the Shopbot replacing the stroke sander on smaller jobs? If that's the case you realize of course that we'll be watching as you order a 5'x 10' model next year :D

The cutting board is indeed for catching all the liquid when carving a roast, or a chicken or turkey, etc. It is deceivingly simple, yet a great design! Someone brought one to us years ago they were given as a wedding gift in the 1960's, and after 40 yrs had delaminated. I stole the idea, changed the design a bit.

The same thing would be simple now, to do on any size and with an elliptical, or square/rectangular as well as the round one.

My shop is 6000 sq feet total, I currently have about 3400 sq feet closed in and insulated. My finishing room and booth take up about 450 sq ft, and my office, mechanical/electrical room, hardware storage, tool room, bathroom, kitchenette take up another 600 sq feet or so.

I plan to close in a new room for the bot, next to my dust collector behind the two bandsaws - which will be 8 feet by 24 feet or so, plenty of room for the buddy and more work space.

I dont like the idea of getting rid of the stroke sander... although 90% of what I make gets put through the wide belt sander, the stroke sander is so handy for spot sanding panels, or doing shaped parts, or other things that are too big to put through the wide belt.

AJC

PS my wife, bless her heart, would KILL me if I even brought the idea up of larger bot, even though she is very supportive of my business. But, I can see if things really work out with the Buddy, in a few years time maybe getting a fixed table machine... but not quite yet :)

[Ajcoholic]

the shop bot can carve that seat real easy... if you got the copying probe you can realy get it going faster.. i bought a shop bot in 08 let it sit till 2011 got mad at my self for being afraid of it.. and decide to learn it or break it... it has shaved so much time off my work... i am down to working 3 days a week instead of 6... and enjoying my work again.

I did get the 3D prode with the machine... I do a lot of jobs where I need to match a small piece of molding, or a design on a a skirt or door, etc. The probe was in my plan from the very beginning...

Some times I think it will make sense for me to hand carve the prototype, do a probing to create the program and then reproduce as many as I want... vs trying to draw it in Aspire off the bat. I have a lot to learn... this is just the beginning. Too many ideas and not enough time though!

AJC

[adrianm]

I did get the 3D prode with the machine... I do a lot of jobs where I need to match a small piece of molding, or a design on a a skirt or door, etc. The probe was in my plan from the very beginning...

Some times I think it will make sense for me to hand carve the prototype, do a probing to create the program and then reproduce as many as I want... vs trying to draw it in Aspire off the bat. I have a lot to learn... this is just the beginning. Too many ideas and not enough time though!

AJC
I thought that too but after two years my probe is still in the box as I got to grips with Aspire so quickly.

By the looks of what you've done already I expect you'll be doing all sorts in Aspire in very short order.

[bleeth]

For matching a molding profile you import a dxf profile if available, and if not you can hand trace the profile, bring it in as a bitmap (higher res the better) and then draw vectors over the shape. You can also "fill" the bitmap with color and then fit vectors to it although you will probably have to tweak the vectors. Once you have the profile you just extrude it for the length with the two rail sweep.

[CNYDWW]

For matching a molding profile you import a dxf profile if available, and if not you can hand trace the profile, bring it in as a bitmap (higher res the better) and then draw vectors over the shape. You can also "fill" the bitmap with color and then fit vectors to it although you will probably have to tweak the vectors. Once you have the profile you just extrude it for the length with the two rail sweep.

I'm actually talking with someone about matching moldings for curved applications. Considering all the different styles and types, I may invest in a good stylus pad. Hold the sample down and trace manually. Of course i'd have to play with it and get the offset right. Should be simple enough.

[Brady Watson]

I'm actually talking with someone about matching moldings for curved applications. Considering all the different styles and types, I may invest in a good stylus pad. Hold the sample down and trace manually. Of course i'd have to play with it and get the offset right. Should be simple enough.

You don't even need to do that...Place a cross section on a flatbed document scanner and scan it in. Then trace it manually in software to minimize nodes. Then scale to correct size. It literally takes 5-10 min to do it correctly.

-B

[CNYDWW]

You don't even need to do that...Place a cross section on a flatbed document scanner and scan it in. Then trace it manually in software to minimize nodes. Then scale to correct size. It literally takes 5-10 min to do it correctly.

-B

I've done it like that for quite a while. Sometimes my samples are of poor quality to say the least and don't stand up to a saw blade very well. Plus I want a stylus for other reasons. I used to sketch and draw tattoo flash before my medical issues. I can use software to compensate for the shaking but drawing with a mouse ..well it sucks. Tax write off. :rolleyes:

[kern]

One note- the SB dust foot works, but it is mostly in the way of bit changes. Get the one from Kent CNC, its radically better. You will appreciate the advice once you use the improved version.

I resolved this problem by using a 1" dowel, 8" long, with a slot in the end. That makes it easier and handier to reach the winged bolt. That said, I will now and again go check out The Kent version. Kern

[Ajcoholic]

I resolved this problem by using a 1" dowel, 8" long, with a slot in the end. That makes it easier and handier to reach the winged bolt. That said, I will now and again go check out The Kent version. Kern

Doh, I guess that's even easier than my solution - I replaced the thumb screw with an Allen head cap screw, and am using a long ball end wrench to adjust it.

AJC

[jerry_stanek]

Here is what I did I like it that you can set it to the top of the material and it does not move up and down with the spindle.

[kern]

Jerry,

:):):)



Here is what I did I like it that you can set it to the top of the material and it does not move up and down with the spindle


What a great solution to a mechanical pain in the neck. Thank you for the pictures. I am warming the mill up right now to put a slot in the Al+++ bracket. Kern