Ajcoholic
06-09-2015, 10:11 PM
Since I've been a member here, and owned my Shopbot, it is generally the more elaborate (perhaps that isn't the best descriptive word to use) and decorative stuff that gets made on the router, that is posted about and discussed. You know, the 3D signage, carved components etc. STuff we all like looking at and has the wow factor.
Now, on my 4th year of using my machine, I find myself using the router more and more (almost on a daily basis) for what seem to be mundane and certainly non-glamorous use (at least from a "hey, look at this" point of view) but really save time and improve accuracy in other areas of the shop and work.
For me, it could be something like quickly drawing and cutting a pattern, or placing an accurate hole(s) or various shapes in a cabinet part, or making a template to show a customer a full size mock up of a proposed part, being able to quickly massage and re-cut designs etc. Stuff that used to be done with pencil and drawing aids/bandsaw/sanders etc.
One use I find myself doing more and more is cutting matching piece of moldings (which I used to mainly do on the spindle shaper with various cutters or custom grinding which is time consuming).
Along that vein - today I am doing prototypes of some new door framing moldings. I intend to get a set of carbide cutters made for one of my insert heads, and cut the stock on the shaper. However, previously, I would have to show the customer just the profile on a piece of paper - which isn't easy for many of my customers to visualize. Sometimes I would try and cut the profile close with existing cutters. Time consuming and still not exact. Now, I just draw the profile and cut a sample few feet with the router, and voila! A full scale mocked up part to show and get the OK before I order a set of $400 knives. Something you want to do once, not more.
There are a lot of things I use the CNC router for, that I probably do not really even notice anymore. Its taken several years to get to this point, I wish I realized the potential sooner.
Again, a lot of this stuff aren't things that I would consider taking pictures and posting on the forum as who wants to see it - its not cool and "wow" like a 3D carved piece etc. But everything you use the machine for, to save time and therefore make you more $$, is certainly worth sharing and talking about! So maybe it has a little of that "wow" factor after all.. LOL.. :)
Now, on my 4th year of using my machine, I find myself using the router more and more (almost on a daily basis) for what seem to be mundane and certainly non-glamorous use (at least from a "hey, look at this" point of view) but really save time and improve accuracy in other areas of the shop and work.
For me, it could be something like quickly drawing and cutting a pattern, or placing an accurate hole(s) or various shapes in a cabinet part, or making a template to show a customer a full size mock up of a proposed part, being able to quickly massage and re-cut designs etc. Stuff that used to be done with pencil and drawing aids/bandsaw/sanders etc.
One use I find myself doing more and more is cutting matching piece of moldings (which I used to mainly do on the spindle shaper with various cutters or custom grinding which is time consuming).
Along that vein - today I am doing prototypes of some new door framing moldings. I intend to get a set of carbide cutters made for one of my insert heads, and cut the stock on the shaper. However, previously, I would have to show the customer just the profile on a piece of paper - which isn't easy for many of my customers to visualize. Sometimes I would try and cut the profile close with existing cutters. Time consuming and still not exact. Now, I just draw the profile and cut a sample few feet with the router, and voila! A full scale mocked up part to show and get the OK before I order a set of $400 knives. Something you want to do once, not more.
There are a lot of things I use the CNC router for, that I probably do not really even notice anymore. Its taken several years to get to this point, I wish I realized the potential sooner.
Again, a lot of this stuff aren't things that I would consider taking pictures and posting on the forum as who wants to see it - its not cool and "wow" like a 3D carved piece etc. But everything you use the machine for, to save time and therefore make you more $$, is certainly worth sharing and talking about! So maybe it has a little of that "wow" factor after all.. LOL.. :)