Vcarve partworks

[andre]

I had posted a picture of a vcarve I completed in mdf a while ago and wanted to post a new picture of the same file done in solid wood. This is hanging in my kitchen now.
I started a blog where I have posted more pictures and comments.
http://cabinetman-andresblog.blogspot.com/

2076

[john_l]

Very cool. What wood, size, and thickness is it?

[andre]

John
I used a glued up Maple slab I had on a shelf. It is around 18" sqr

[andre]

oops I forgot, it is around 1" thick

[jhicks]

Very nice design and implementation. Keep it up!

[andre]

Thanks Jerry

[scottcox]

Beautiful! I'm still amazed at the flexibility of the 'bot!

Thanks for posting!

[tkovacs]

These are beautiful! I have been considering an upgrade to the shopbot version of vcarve. Seeing this type of work pushes me closer...

[andre]

Terry
I would Highly recomend Partworks
SB may give you and upgrade discount

[knight_toolworks]

following the example I did this one to see if I could draw it out. it is 8.25 square out of padouk. still needs some finish work


2077

[myxpykalix]

very cool looking. How did you get the design to be exactly semetrical?

[knight_toolworks]

hey it's a trade secret (G) it's pretty easy to do just use copy vectors in circular array.

[andre]

Nice Job Steve
Try experimenting with off-setting vectors and see what shapes appear.
It's fun to combine different shapes and welding and off-setting them.

[knight_toolworks]

good idea. that may be easier then node editing.

[harold_weber]

Andre, I'll bet you could find a market for something similar to the top photo in this thread, but have the center be an oval opening - then you would have a really nice picture frame.

[andre]

Harold
Interesting Idea.
I saw your web site, nice.
Do you mind if I ask how you got into plaques and awards?

[harold_weber]

Andre, this business just came up while I was doing a different job for a fellow. I do the contract cutting of the wood for several of his plaques and awards. For example, the attached figure shows an 8 by 12 inch 8-sided pocket that I do in batches of 50 to 200. He then cuts pieces of marble with a wet diamond saw, sandblasts the customer's artwork/logo into the face, and glues the marble into the pocket.

The blanks are sawn to size and loaded into a vacuum fixture that holds multiple parts. I area-clear the pocket with a half inch end mill leaving 0.05 allowance on the sides, then use an 1/8 inch downward spiral in my second Z to get a nice finished pocket edge with sharp corners.


2078

[gary_n]

Harold,

What is your website address? It is not listed in your profile. Thanks.

[harold_weber]

Gary, the reason its not listed in my profile is because I don't have a web site. Andre is apparently calling my profile listing my web site.

[andre]

Harold,
thanks for sharing.
I want to expand my business to this type of work. I'm trying to figure out a marketing strategy, who to target and so forth.
Any advice would surely be welcome.

Thanks

[harold_weber]

Andre, try designing and making a few "picture frames" with borders similar to what you posted at the top of this thread. GIVE them to local trophy shops, Personalize them with a V-carved plaque in the center using the names of the trophy shops. Make them so attractive that the shops will WANT to display them where customers can see them.

Of course the largest price markup comes when the product is sold to the final-purchaser, and you will lose out on that mark up if you sell to a trophy shop. To sell to the final-purchaser, start making the rounds of local amateur sports leagues, such as bowling, softball, golf, etc. For example, how much will a golfer pay for an attractive plaque showing his name, date, and the layout of the hole where he just made a "hole-in-one"?? Try talking first to the league secretary, they're the ones who wind up buying the awards for events.

At John Forney's first (2002) ShopBot Camp,he talked a little about direct marketing, and suggested finding the events where people with the most money attend. For example, find the leagues at the most expensive golf courses in your area.

[andre]

Harold thanks for the great advice and direction. I do believe I will compile a list.
THanks much!
Andre

[renklint]

This is really beautiful. Very nice finish on the maple. How much sanding do you need to do? Cause it can't be easy..

Lars

[andre]

Lars Thank you
you are right the sanding is not easy.
soar fingers. The trick is to eliminate or reduce burning. When the tool slows around points it can burn, so you have to make sure that in your design, that all of your nodes continue in a smooth fashion. I have found nodes that jog just .005 will cause the tool to stop and jog, causing a burn. those are hard as heck to get out. Its part of the fun and pain of design work that requires fine attention to detail and patience.

Andre