Worst part about 3D printing that I am finding is getting the right settings within the software. Machine runs fine, but the prints can vary alot depending on what settings I use. Still learning. Would love an Xtool D1 Pro next 😁
Nice breakdown. I’d love to hear your take on machines that can run a router and laser. I’m sure it’s not ideal, but could be good for those of us hobbyists short on space and money.
Well you can't 3d print wood, and there is a huge demand for this material, CNC is the only way to engrave wood if you are not an artisan and makes the work 1000x faster and cheaper, I see this as a very big pro.
You can't 3d print pure wood, you can definitely 3d print a "wood like" material that is a wood and pla hybrid, I've thought about doing it myself but the settings are kinda tricky to dial in from what I've heard.
I have a 5-year-old Muse. Its been ok, but lots of troubles from time to time. Main board just had to go back to FSL for repair. Got it back and it's working again, but now no WIFI. Curious why you like the RE3 software. I really struggle with it and find LightBurn to be awesome as have my first Diode laser. Trying to convince FSL to make the Muse compatible with LightBurn.
Good point! I'd love to get my hand on a tormach, I kind of left those use cases to the outsourced section at the end. But all the aluminum parts I was showing could be made on the 1100mx or maybe the 440 if the fixturing leaves enough room.
Can the same CAD software be used, whether your final material is wood, plastic, or metal? For example, some CAD software is tied to the shop that will fabricate it.. eMachineShop or Protocase Designer CAD.. but what if you want to do it first in a different material? What CAD software do you recommend? From what' I've seen: Fusion360 is great for design, but the cost/license might be a deal-breaker for many Parametric (i.e. ability to undo as many steps as you want) is a must-have feature FreeCAD might be a bit difficult for the beginner OnShape supports exporting without having the $2500/year license Pro/Corporate Users should stick with Siemens Solid Edge , Solidworks, Catia, Pro-Engineer Then there's other that don't have nearly as much users.. Moi3D, OctoPrint, etc. but for most beginners, it seems TinkerCad and Plasticity are the solid choices? BTW, do you recommend any low-cost 3d printer service? Sculpteo , Shapeways, CraftCloud, xometry, protolabs? How about for CNC / Laser ?
I'm looking to do string inlay.... veneer - .9mm is common, brought to final thickness witha hand tool, and inserted into a routed slot 1/32 wide by 1/16 deep and leveled to the surface with handtools. I sounds like cnc would be perfect. Thoughts?
Just found out that omtech is dropping their own Glowforge clone soon. Or more like 1:1 copy of Gweike Cloud pro, lol. The information on the model is not exhaustive, but they don't mention any cloud-based software, just lightburn. It is wee bit cheaper than Gweike, should come with air assist (though no additional info to this) and autofocus. I am interested if it is gonna be a worthy competitor to Gweike, an exact copy, or if they even managed to make it worse than Gweike. They named it Polar.
What a huge pleasure for us to be one part of your R2D2! 🍻
Worst part about 3D printing that I am finding is getting the right settings within the software. Machine runs fine, but the prints can vary alot depending on what settings I use. Still learning. Would love an Xtool D1 Pro next 😁
love to see more on the R2D2 build
Nice breakdown. I’d love to hear your take on machines that can run a router and laser. I’m sure it’s not ideal, but could be good for those of us hobbyists short on space and money.
You can buy a laser head and fit it on a 3D printer or a router and use that, not sure about the controllers but the hardware is there
Greetings from San Francisco. Absolutely the most versatile tool is... the Hammer!
Right on!
R2 is looking great Brandon!
Well you can't 3d print wood, and there is a huge demand for this material, CNC is the only way to engrave wood if you are not an artisan and makes the work 1000x faster and cheaper, I see this as a very big pro.
You can't 3d print pure wood, you can definitely 3d print a "wood like" material that is a wood and pla hybrid, I've thought about doing it myself but the settings are kinda tricky to dial in from what I've heard.
I have a 5-year-old Muse. Its been ok, but lots of troubles from time to time. Main board just had to go back to FSL for repair. Got it back and it's working again, but now no WIFI. Curious why you like the RE3 software. I really struggle with it and find LightBurn to be awesome as have my first Diode laser. Trying to convince FSL to make the Muse compatible with LightBurn.
I haven't used RE3 in awhile. Lightburn is amazing and I totally agree!
you should mention you only talk about cnc routers , not cnc mills like a tormach pcnc440 or 1100mx or even a umc
Good point! I'd love to get my hand on a tormach, I kind of left those use cases to the outsourced section at the end. But all the aluminum parts I was showing could be made on the 1100mx or maybe the 440 if the fixturing leaves enough room.
It's so cool, when we can see the TS2 laser review video🤣
Can the same CAD software be used, whether your final material is wood, plastic, or metal?
For example, some CAD software is tied to the shop that will fabricate it.. eMachineShop or Protocase Designer CAD.. but what if you want to do it first in a different material?
What CAD software do you recommend? From what' I've seen:
Fusion360 is great for design, but the cost/license might be a deal-breaker for many
Parametric (i.e. ability to undo as many steps as you want) is a must-have feature
FreeCAD might be a bit difficult for the beginner
OnShape supports exporting without having the $2500/year license
Pro/Corporate Users should stick with Siemens Solid Edge , Solidworks, Catia, Pro-Engineer
Then there's other that don't have nearly as much users.. Moi3D, OctoPrint, etc.
but for most beginners, it seems TinkerCad and Plasticity are the solid choices?
BTW, do you recommend any low-cost 3d printer service? Sculpteo , Shapeways, CraftCloud, xometry, protolabs? How about for CNC / Laser ?
I'm looking to do string inlay.... veneer - .9mm is common, brought to final thickness witha hand tool, and inserted into a routed slot 1/32 wide by 1/16 deep and leveled to the surface with handtools. I sounds like cnc would be perfect. Thoughts?
Just found out that omtech is dropping their own Glowforge clone soon. Or more like 1:1 copy of Gweike Cloud pro, lol. The information on the model is not exhaustive, but they don't mention any cloud-based software, just lightburn. It is wee bit cheaper than Gweike, should come with air assist (though no additional info to this) and autofocus. I am interested if it is gonna be a worthy competitor to Gweike, an exact copy, or if they even managed to make it worse than Gweike. They named it Polar.
Thks
Thanks for sharing!
Cnc router wins the cake.