"Dow Caster" got the CNC working

[stingray_65]

It's been almost a month now since I got my toy: http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=10251.0

2 Y axis servo motors, 3 optical encoders and 1 new Gecko drive later and I finally made somethin!

Learning curve is STEEP! but I'm getting it.

Played around with a file T.Downes wrote just so I can get the hang of editing and how to pocket and contour.

Talk about a light weight body! I'll doubt it has much sustain.

This is my 3rd  run at it and it's pretty close. Still fiddling around with my controller. the encoder I have now is a 500 instead of a 300 that came on the machine, so everything is a touch skewed on the Y axis (width of the body)

[LooseChange]

That is totally cool. Do you think the material is strong enough to support a a neck at proper intonation?

[CraigB]

Ray, that's awesome!  In case you weren't aware, there is a minor problem with the bridge pickup route on earlier templates, so make sure you slap a bridge with p'up mounted on your model for test-fit.  Should be easy to fix the CAD drawing in your computer if need be.  Lucky for me, I installed hardware (no pickups or wiring) on my build and strung up before shooting any finish, and discovered that I needed to make that route slightly wider in one corner in order for it to fit.

CNC is the way to go.  I really like the idea of not having to hold onto a router. 

Best regards,
Craig

[tubesornothing]

What did you finally end up using for your CAD and CAM software?

[stingray_65]

CAD is Turbo Cad

CAM is DesKam (very limited)Very 2D, basically 3 tool path options, contour, pocket and drill. I can do more with the wizards in the Mach3. I'll be buying some nice Vectric software in Jan or Feb.

Controller is Mach3 V21

LOL the "BIG" project this weekend was SUPPOSED to be finishing prime and paint, staining the trim and painting the accent trim.

HA! I gots my toy working! Made a nice push stick for the table saw (looks like an old hand saw), 5 featherboards, 2 different house numbers. LOL what I SHOULD have made was a dust port so I didn't have to duct tape a hose to the mill head 

Maybe a project for tommorow.... 'cause I don't see me pickin up a paint brush and roller any time soon, least not while I got wood and aluminum layin around

I'm also using Inkscape for my CAD. Really simple (like the operator), but I have to save it as an EPS, then import it to TurboCad and save it as a DWG then over to DesKam for the G Code.

I bet the TurboCad's not all that bad, just have to play more with it, but the Inkscape I been foolin around with about a year now, and FINALLY GET IT!

Ray

[DummyLoad]

for the money, turbocad is a nice package. we use sheetcam to gen the gcode, and like you, mach3 to push the motors. i still use visio... been using it for over a decade.  i use it to diagram networks, and amps, and jigs, and... 

--pete   

[shortfuse]

Ray
  I can see no honeydooos getting completed at your house in the near future.