Middle Earth Map

[Doug Haffner]

Hello all!
I recently bought my first large cnc...ShopBot.
It's a wonderful machine that I bought from James Lohmann...beefed up, accurate and better than I expected in about every way possible.

I'm spending lots of time playing with software and looking at what will work for me. I have been doing lots of little tutorials and generally learning about speeds, feeds, needs and other bits (ha). I'm working each day on learning more and trying little projects.

This is something for fun: A map of middle earth. It's 28" x 28" and carved in pvc. 1/2 inch. I made the file from a combination of an image of the map, as well as a vectored version I created. Combining the two gave me something to work with. It's been primed, and I'm about half way on the paint.

I think my wife may have just become a ShopBot widow.

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/7612/2928422890101109960S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/49707/2916142780101109960S500x500Q85.jpg

[zeykr]

Nice paint job!

[Doug Haffner]

I was having a great time painting...went ahead an finished it.

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/49328/2619008830101109960S600x600Q85.jpg

[Brady Watson]

Wowzers Doug! That's a beauty!

Thanks for posting!

-B

[danhamm]

THat, is special....really nice Doug.

[pkirby]

Very Cool!

[beacon14]

Holy Cow! I can't wait to see your second project!

[shoeshine]

Stellar... especially like the elvish runes around the eborder

[mtylerfl]

Fantastic, Doug! Excellent work as usual!

[curtiss]

I am amazed at these people who post work like this and are still in the single digits in their post numbers....

[paul_z]

Some of the wives have become died-in-the-wool botters themselves. The hubbys have to ask for machine time.

Paul Z

[mtylerfl]

I am amazed at these people who post work like this and are still in the single digits in their post numbers....

Doug just started using a ShopBot recently...but, he has been producing superb projects for years using his CarveWright machines. His work has been featured in American Woodworker magazine and other places around the web. He's an outstanding (and creative!) person and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more from him here on the ShopBot forum.

[chiloquinruss]

Curtis, I think 'THEY' get up to around 528 posts and then just log in again under 'THEIR' other name! :) Russ

[myxpykalix]

Russ,
528 posts?...like you?, hmmm, log in under OTHER name...you mean like an "alter ego" like Batman??...hmmm I KNEW YOU LOOKED FAMILIAR!:eek:

Doug,
The finish and paint job is fantastic how long did it take to finish? You must have some steady hands there.

[Mayo]

I'm curious what kind of paints you used on the PVC?
I've tried some regular latex house paint which didn't bond very well and
I could easily scratch it off with a finger nail.

[Doug Haffner]

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely new to ShopBot and having a great time. I have really enjoyed looking at all the work here, and translated a few projects for use with the CarveWright.
As for painting the pvc: I recommend a couple things to help. 1. prime it well. I use a water based primer and I've used automotive spray can primers with success. Make sure it dries well and then paint. I also use acrylics...Some are from a company called "Nova Acrylic" and some are Modern Masters metallic paints. The real key is to let them fully cure. I treat it very much like I would treat putting one of those resin clear coats on a table top...I let it cure for about 2-3 days before I give it any real use or abuse. I have great success with adhesion after that.

I've spent a week just reading up on vacuum hold-down systems and still haven't made up my mind which direction to go. I may have to attend a get together and see if I can't get a better understanding of the home-made units.

As for the map, it took about a half-day to paint (on and off as parts dried). I try to make projects with decent edges so painting is easier. Sometimes with success..others...well...