Lars, I am a real novice with the CNC and it is a steep learning curve for me so please be patient if I make a dumb statement or ask a dumb question or more than one. I have made both Halloween and Christmas lanterns for my wife. Several attempts and finally just good enough. Got the files from Etsy. Through trial and error, I was able to get an acceptable face, but I wanted better. Watching your video gave me a lot of help with importing the files and getting them into my model sizing. I will consider my skill level before choosing a stencil and converting it. I may write down the steps and give it a try. In order to reduce cutting time, I created several toolpaths for each face, starting with an AC for the smaller cuts and a Profile cut for the larger ones. I didn’t know the option to use the two bits in the same toolpath setup. I will watch that part again paying closer attention to how you did that. The AC for all the cuts increases the run time quite a bit. Since you are an expert, would you explain why I should not run the Profile for the larger pieces? For you to understand my method, I use blue tape and glue, not clamps or pin nails. So, I am not concerned with pieces pulling up and breaking my bits. Tried both and found the tape and glue work better for me. The other thing I do differently is probing Z, I probe from the top of the spoil board. About the code editor; do you use it with each file? Is it something that would be helpful to someone like me? I have relied on setting the Safe Z above my work piece to avoid hitting my bit. How is your program different? The other thing, will you sell you AI files for the Christmas faces? I am using Carveco Maker with a Onefinity Journeyman Elite. I have been unable to make changes in the faces so I get the finished product I want. Adjusting the size of antlers, etc. is beyond my capabilities. Really glad I found you channel. Hope you get a lot of subscribers and keep the channel going. I know how much comments and likes help.
Jim, Thanks for the comment and well wishes. There are no dumb questions. Yes you can just do a profile and cut out the large areas instead of AC. I had issues scraping the faces off of my wasteboard when they were taped down, and some things ended up cracking. But 100% you can do a profile, I would hit with 1/4 to clear a lot of area out and then the 1/8, to get the smaller areas. If not the 1/8 may get bogged down in the channel it is creating due to the saw dust getting packed. I am working on getting a site up to offer all of the files.
I have 10 carveco lantern face, art files available at this time. If you are interested, you can contact me at we3craftycreations@gmail.com for more information.
That was the same thing I would always do with my G code on my CNC vertical lathe. The parts I was machining were often in the 2,000 lb weight range, and crashes with a 5" spindle were not pretty if running. Every video gives me little bits of info for my future installation, such as the lateral stiffeners. I will have a block wall on two of my sides, which will be perfect for stopping movement on both the X and Y axis.
Thank you for asking. You can cut them either with clearance, like I did or with a contour/profile cut. I choose the clearance for cedar because there is less chance of breakage of the wood, than using tabs. You could tape everything down and cut completly through the wood if you want to contour/profile the cut to eliminate the possible wood breakage. I hope this answered your question.
Lars, I am a real novice with the CNC and it is a steep learning curve for me so please be patient if I make a dumb statement or ask a dumb question or more than one.
I have made both Halloween and Christmas lanterns for my wife. Several attempts and finally just good enough. Got the files from Etsy. Through trial and error, I was able to get an acceptable face, but I wanted better. Watching your video gave me a lot of help with importing the files and getting them into my model sizing. I will consider my skill level before choosing a stencil and converting it. I may write down the steps and give it a try.
In order to reduce cutting time, I created several toolpaths for each face, starting with an AC for the smaller cuts and a Profile cut for the larger ones. I didn’t know the option to use the two bits in the same toolpath setup. I will watch that part again paying closer attention to how you did that.
The AC for all the cuts increases the run time quite a bit. Since you are an expert, would you explain why I should not run the Profile for the larger pieces?
For you to understand my method, I use blue tape and glue, not clamps or pin nails. So, I am not concerned with pieces pulling up and breaking my bits. Tried both and found the tape and glue work better for me. The other thing I do differently is probing Z, I probe from the top of the spoil board.
About the code editor; do you use it with each file? Is it something that would be helpful to someone like me? I have relied on setting the Safe Z above my work piece to avoid hitting my bit. How is your program different?
The other thing, will you sell you AI files for the Christmas faces? I am using Carveco Maker with a Onefinity Journeyman Elite. I have been unable to make changes in the faces so I get the finished product I want. Adjusting the size of antlers, etc. is beyond my capabilities.
Really glad I found you channel. Hope you get a lot of subscribers and keep the channel going. I know how much comments and likes help.
Jim, Thanks for the comment and well wishes. There are no dumb questions. Yes you can just do a profile and cut out the large areas instead of AC. I had issues scraping the faces off of my wasteboard when they were taped down, and some things ended up cracking. But 100% you can do a profile, I would hit with 1/4 to clear a lot of area out and then the 1/8, to get the smaller areas. If not the 1/8 may get bogged down in the channel it is creating due to the saw dust getting packed. I am working on getting a site up to offer all of the files.
I have 10 carveco lantern face, art files available at this time. If you are interested, you can contact me at we3craftycreations@gmail.com for more information.
That was the same thing I would always do with my G code on my CNC vertical lathe. The parts I was machining were often in the 2,000 lb weight range, and crashes with a 5" spindle were not pretty if running. Every video gives me little bits of info for my future installation, such as the lateral stiffeners. I will have a block wall on two of my sides, which will be perfect for stopping movement on both the X and Y axis.
I loved working on a lathe. I am so glad you are getting ideas for your shop.
I liked this video as i did your others is there any reason you cleared out the centres and not cut out the centres using insde settings ?
Thank you for asking. You can cut them either with clearance, like I did or with a contour/profile cut. I choose the clearance for cedar because there is less chance of breakage of the wood, than using tabs. You could tape everything down and cut completly through the wood if you want to contour/profile the cut to eliminate the possible wood breakage. I hope this answered your question.