Cheese
Member
Well you’re not alone if that makes you feel any better.
DIY cnc
- Thread starter estley
- Start date
cdconey
Member
If you" want to get into it ", buy a used Shapeoko 3 or 4 to learn the ins and outs. I think the expectations of this level of machine is what turns people away - expecting them to cut like a large CNC, but you are limited to 1/8" or 1/4" passes at slow speeds and they get frustrated quickly.
And the Shapeoko 3 or 4 ( not the pro ) are belt driven, so they are much more forgiving when you crash the machine. You can still do a lot with them once dialed in if you use them within their limitations.
Michael Kellough
Member
Beautiful project nicely done! I can’t imagine how it could be done on the Shaper. Even with your CNC I expect you had a lot of Z steps to sand out they turned out great.Note that, unless I'm wrong, even with Bench Pilot, you're not getting true Z-axis manipulation while cutting with the Shaper Origin. That doesn't matter for a lot of things, like engraving, inlays, cutting out sheet goods, even most joints. My first CNC project was a staircase newell topper, which my design was a hexagon (which are the best-agons), that was pyramidal, and built of two contrasting woods. I do not think that is still today possible on a Shaper Origin.
smorgasbord
Member
Actually not much sanding. The ebony wedges were made separately on the CNC, then glued into a roughly machined on the CNC body:
And then a finishing pass with a 1" core box bit:
aIf you look closely, you can see where the core box bit cut into the sacrificial MDF platten.
Then the CNC machined center hex plug was glued in.
smorgasbord
Member
Things are just getting started here.
At some point, software like Fusion 360 will be at the point where you won't even have to define your own toolpaths. You just design the object you want in the software, specify the material and tolerances, load up the blank in the machine and press Go. And it seems like 3D printing is even closer to this state.
luvmytoolz
Member
A lot of heated (ignorant) responses I see on social media think that's exactly what CNC is right now, tap the icon of the desired object, and off it goes pumping it out the end fully finished!
There are a couple of companies which are pushing AI features --- that said, when working with wood, selection, grain, grain-orientation relative to part/toolpath, finishing, all play a major role in the process, same as power or hand-tool woodworking.
For folks who are wondering what they are missing out on from CNC, you can do most of the CNC process on a computer with trial software:
All the above leaves out is: clamping selected stock in place, setting zero relative to it, loading the file, monitoring it while it cuts, post-processing the parts after they come off the machine (cutting tabs, &c.)
For folks who are wondering what they are missing out on from CNC, you can do most of the CNC process on a computer with trial software:
- download a trial of a CAD/CAM package
- work through a tutorial or two --- I wrote up a bit on Carbide 3D's software at: https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/2d-drawing and https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/toolpaths --- let me know if anything there is unclear/confusing
- create a design
- select a stock material and appropriate tooling and assign toolpaths
- get a 3D preview, iterate until you are either pleased with the result and wish to cut it, or bored and detached from the process
All the above leaves out is: clamping selected stock in place, setting zero relative to it, loading the file, monitoring it while it cuts, post-processing the parts after they come off the machine (cutting tabs, &c.)
Vondawg
Member
Really nice job on these @smorgasbord
luvmytoolz
Member
@WillAdams Great website, lot of useful content there!
onocoffee
Member
This is what I found most surprising and irritating about the Shaper Origin. It took many, many passes and a lot more grunt to push the router through the walnut than I expected.
luvmytoolz
Member
Ok this is interesting to me! I thought at one point of getting a Shaper for inlay work in mainly hardwoods (which are often harder than Walnut), but having used CNC machines for years the physics of the Shaper always baffled me as everyone seems to rave about how capable, powerful and fast it is, but given the size and power I just couldn't see it.
Especially when I'm using trimmers with templates and guide rings and they can be a real struggle at times.
smorgasbord
Member
Saw this Thos. Moser video, which briefly shows use of a 5-axis CNC:
But, they still have over 150 jigs.
A side note is that they keep the humidity at 43% as the mid-point for expansion/contraction when the piece is in its final home.
But, they still have over 150 jigs.
A side note is that they keep the humidity at 43% as the mid-point for expansion/contraction when the piece is in its final home.
luvmytoolz
Member
take a look at these guy's videos https://www.youtube.com/@scratchbuiltdesigns He sells his plans as well. I think its 300 Euro for BOM/plans. His builds are stout and do aluminum/wood. He is based in Europe so not sure about part availability but interesting videos
onocoffee
Member
I got to see those CNCs when I toured Thos. Moser in October. They've added a third CNC since this video and put it at one end of chair shop near to where they do the radio frequency lamination. Really interesting stuff.
The CNC is something I've been debating in my mind a bit lately: "Is it REALLY 'woodworking'?" I recently saw a YouTube video about a woodworker making coffee scoops on his CNC. The scoops were perfectly nice looking but he's routing them out on the CNC, doing a little sanding, adding finish and selling them (evidently, he sells quite a few). They're nice, but I see that more as manufacturing than "woodworking" - or am I off?
I thought similarly while touring Thos. Moser. Like the video shows, they make some of the parts on the CNC, but they also hand-fit/assemble and hand-finish the rest of the process, so the CNC is only a component of their craft, not the majority. And as I toured the facility, everything else is being done by hand - and that bent lamination part: there was a point, after we saw the laminating, that I saw how it all goes together and was just floored by it. CNC aside, they produce some beautiful pieces. One of which is that 1972 Rocker. In person, that chair is utterly stunning. Sadly, I don't feel it translates well in pictures, but in-person, it's amazing.
smorgasbord
Member
A debate that will never end.
I've read that Mira Nakashima has decided to not adopt CNC and similar practices, but they do use power tools, and did even when George was alive. And, it wasn't all that long ago that people debated whether using power tools at all was real woodworking or not. Or, that line in the movie "Shane," where he helps the land owner chop up a stump, and the wife asks: "Joe, why don't you just hitch up the team?" And his response: "...this stump could say it beat us."
My personal view is that anything that helps the final product be better or made less expensively without sacrificing quality is a good thing. If CNC usage means more people can have solid wood dressers or chairs instead of Ikea particle board crap, that's a good thing. Those who care about the input of human labor should instead care more about the value of bespoke designs.
luvmytoolz
Member
IMO hell yes it is! CNC's are just another tool in the arsenal so far as I'm concerned.
I do a lot of very detailed work with CNC's, and the CNC machining component of the project generally is the smallest portion compared to the rest of the processes required.
For example, I machine the pockets on my charcuterie boards on the CNC, but until I got the mini Mirka sanders I was spending many hours hand sanding and finishing the pockets. The machining took probably 30 minutes, but the rest of the steps in making a board could take 12 hours easily from rough sawn timber to finished product.
And then there's also the high degree of design and creating tootlpaths required based on wood grain directions and milling considerations. Unless you're just cutting out geometric blocks, one project could take days to finesse the final design.
