General random Shopbot questions

[80grit]

1. What's the material of choice, other than wood, for outdoor applications like signs.

2. The 3D probe process is lengthy, and I've seen others recommend using a laser scanning service. Is that an affordable service? Is it worth it if you had to reproduce something small?

3. For those that have indexers, how do you mount it? Is it permanently mounted to your table or do you just set up an remove when you need it?

4. How smooth of a finish can be expected on a 3D wood surface? Will it still need detail sanding for a stained finish?

5. How easy is it to slightly ease the edges on 2D cuts? Like, say, give all the edges a 1/64th round over. Would it require changing bits? Would it just be easier to do it by hand?

Let's see...what else.......

[myxpykalix]

I can answer #3. Here is how my indexer is mounted. It is mounted to stay there and i can load a regular piece of plywood and cut. You won't have this option on your table unless you mount it in the Y axis off the end of the table.
Probably most of the things you might want to make on the indexer you could do with it in the Y. Mine is in the X
If you look back to the beginning of the indexer section you will see pics of several different indexer setups in the Y and X axis.

#4 the smoothness will be determined by your "stepover value" in your tool selection menu. You should probably use a 9-10% value for a smooth finish. I don't think anyone here likes to sand so the lower the percentage the smoother the outcome.

[jerry_stanek]

question 1 HDU is what a lot of sign guys use. there are some signs made out of the pink or blue foam from the big box stores

question 2 probing takes a very long time so having it laser scanned most likely be a better option.

question 4 that one is hard to answer it depends on a lot of things but with a small step over you can get by without sanding or just a small amount.

[gerryv]

If you want really good, hi resolution scans with the bonus of clean files to work with after the scan saving you much time, contact Brady Watson offline; he's the scanning guru and go-to guy.

[blackhawk]

1)HDU, ColorCore, Extira, MDO

2)I don't have a probe and in 5 years, I have never needed one.

3)My indexer is permanently mounted at the end of the table along the Y axis, below the table surface. (I knew Jack wouldn't pass up an opportunity to post his indexer pictures.)

4)You can get really smooth with a 1/16" ballnose endmill and very small stepovers where you need very little sanding. It has a lot to do with the material that you are cutting. I have a flap sander that I use on a dremel that works well.

5) To do this, you would need another bit. I usually do this by hand with my handheld router and a roundover bit with a bearing.

[myxpykalix]

3)My indexer is permanently mounted at the end of the table along the Y axis, below the table surface. (I knew Jack wouldn't pass up an opportunity to post his indexer pictures.)

I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!:rolleyes:

It's kind of like the guy who is in his midlife crisis and keeps showing pictures of his Corvette.....and NO, i don't have a Corvette....yet!:D

[kurt_rose]

How about a Corvair! Unsafe at any speed. I resemble THAT remark! :D

[Bob Eustace]

If you want really good, hi resolution scans with the bonus of clean files to work with after the scan saving you much time, contact Brady Watson offline; he's the scanning guru and go-to guy.

We are with Gerald 110%! Its crazy to struggle with 3D problems as Brady will give you the solution usually overnight and in a file thats ready to cut! In our case putting a hole .0001 in the centre of the job solved a problem we grappled with for three horrendous days. Locked in the workshop for a year we would never have figured this out as its not mentioned in any tutorial we have ever watched. Brady truly is the Guru of 3D.

[coryatjohn]

1)HDU, ColorCore, Extira, MDO

3)My indexer is permanently mounted at the end of the table along the Y axis, below the table surface. (I knew Jack wouldn't pass up an opportunity to post his indexer pictures.)


Would you mind posting a picture of your indexer mount? I'd love to see it.

-John Coryat

[Brady Watson]

Thanks for the kind words, guys!

-B

[myxpykalix]

Corvair! I use to own a Corvair. It was almost as fun to drive as a volkswagon beetle. Motor in the back, trunk in the front woo hoo!

[80grit]

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I don't have a corvette, and I'm not mid-lifed. I will be, however, selling a car I built to fund my Shopbot purchase. It's bittersweet, but I'm just tired of working on it. I like smaller projects that have a definite finish line. With cars, it's a never-ending job of tinkering, maintenance, and cleaning. That's why I really always enjoyed woodworking more, especially when I got to do some challenging pieces.

I'm excited to move on to the next chapter - CNC!

Car build video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iubRRojY9qM

[coryatjohn]

Andy,

All I can say is you have a really understanding wife!

I went through a similar (although not as heavy) reconstruction of a Triumph Spitfire a couple of decades ago. It had a tree growing through the floorboards when I found it.

-John Coryat

[blackhawk]

John - Check out the link below.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11532

[80grit]

I was single all the years I was building it. It still took 7 years to put it on the road. I "finished" just in time for my wedding 4 years ago. Now, time is even more precious, and I don't want to spend another decade working on a car that will only lose me money.

The goal is purchase a SB, get good at it, and eventually cleverly disguise it as a full time job.

[myxpykalix]

Oh man Andy you have opened up some fond memories that probably most of us have of working on old cars. I would be a millionaire if i had all the cars that i went thru as a kid, fixed up and sold. 55 Chevy Nomad wagon, 55 chevy 2 door, 57 chevy convertible, 50 buick, 39 ford truck...and those are only the ones i remember!
You did a great job of restoring that old car and you should be very proud of that, excellent work. I learned that rarely do you ever get back, in dollars, what you invest in fixing up old cars....but it ain't about that!:)

You will be able to use the same creativity and will feel the same sense of accomplishment when you make stuff on your bot.....
You won't be able to make another 1937 Ford, but you will be able to make a replica of it!:D

[bcondon]

You may mock my Shopbot, but don't even think of knocking my Corvairs!!

We only owned a 1960, 1965, and two 1966.

The 1965 had a 95 HP engine with a 4 speed and would blow the doors off the 135 HP (4 carbs in a 6 cylinder) with an automatic....

Don't ask how my brother and I know that...

Bob