Alternatives to wood

[pro70z28]

I've been looking through some of the projects here and it got me to wondering if anyone is using the ShopBot to make things out of materials other than wood.
I attached one of a few I've done, hopefully others will follow with projects of their own.
Anything other than a wood product is game for this thread.

[pro70z28]

Couple More...........


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwQmyyHOoO4

[Tom Bachman]

Well, those are some fine looking hinges you made there. And I think we now know where your username came from.

[pro70z28]

Thanks Tom. Any other non-wood projects out there?

[coryatjohn]

Here's a project I'm currently working on made from pink foam and "Foamcoat", which is a plaster-acrylic compound that's hard as plastic and machines very easily. It's the main part of a mount for a wooden propeller from a Stinson 108. It's full size which is 32"x19"x6". I modeled it using Rhino from an engineering drawing.

313313133231333

[pro70z28]

That's a nice looking project John. I hope you post more as the project progresses.

In the old days I might have made a part like that by building a blank out of wood, shaping it with a grinder and a lot of body filler, sanding and more sanding, prime, sand prime some more and then spray with mold release and layers fiber glass over that. Then glass some supports on it to make it rigid. Then pull it off as a plug. Do more work on the plug to get it as close to the final shape as possible. Then coat the inside with gel coat and more glass. Then pull it out of the plug and presto a new part. A part that would still need fine tuning to be useable.

Sure is a lot nicer, and way more accurate to use a ShopBot.

[coryatjohn]

I spent more time in the digital phase modelling it. Less dust, less grinding but still, a lot of effort. I like that I can take a digital design and be assured that the final part is going to be very close to the model. I made the foam model slightly smaller, fleshed it out with the foamcoat and machined it down so it was a uniform 1/10th inch thick. The backing is oak and will measure about 3' x 2' and be in the same shape as the cowl with a bronze plaque at the bottom. The prop is pretty heavy so it has to be very sturdy.

As for materials, I spend as much time with plastics and aluminum as wood.

[chiloquinruss]

I do a lot of sintra plastic stuff because of my model making. Most of it is 6mm but also some light 1mm stuff as well. Scale of structures is 1/4 inch equal 1 foot, think Lionel size. Russ
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31335&stc=1 http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31336&stc=1 http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31337&stc=1 http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31338&stc=1

[pro70z28]

Being in the sign business I use sentra a lot. It's nice material to work with.
Thanks for posting, that's some really nice work.

[joe]

Gary,

Excellent thread.

For us we use products that will last outdoors. However the ease of use is very important. Now days PVC is our primary substrate but it's not too good for 3d work. Let me give a shout-out for Redwood and Cedar. Some of these are twenty years old and still holding up well. However wood needs more re-paints than does PVC or HDU.

Thanks again for your post.

Joe

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31339&stc=1

[pro70z28]

Nice job on the Lost Creek sign. I have a couple redwood signs out back by the shop entry that have been there for nearly 30 years. Still solid and look as good as the day I finished them. I used opaque stain, seems to hold up well.
I cut these letters out of PVC and applied mylar.

[pro70z28]

Here's another non-wood project I did awhile back. Built a DIY English Wheel

[pro70z28]

Few More.......

[pro70z28]

......and the last ones.

[khaos]

I've been looking through some of the projects here and it got me to wondering if anyone is using the ShopBot to make things out of materials other than wood.
I attached one of a few I've done, hopefully others will follow with projects of their own.
Anything other than a wood product is game for this thread.

That's nice work. Would you share Bits, feeds and speeds?

I shared some some power valve guides here (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?23750-Cutting-strategy).

I also made a boat console out of extruded PVC to replace a rotted wooden one on my pontoon boat. Can't seem to find pics...

[pro70z28]

It's been awhile since I did that project, so I don't remember what the settings were. I would guess the cut depth would have been around .005" to .010" and speeds on the slow side, probably 1" per second give or take. I've also cut 3/16" plate steel with the ShopBot. That is an even slower process. .005" or less cut depth and probably .5 XY speed MAX, I used water soluble cutting oil to keep the bit cool. Not really practical from a labor standpoint, but this was a personal project, so doing it in house was part of the fun.

[khaos]

Thanks! That's pretty damn awesome. I noticed the big meat in the youtube video and felt all inadequate lol. A billet head for my freestyle jet ski is in my future.

[pro70z28]

Thanks khaos. Yea, they are some big meats. 33''x22.5''x15''.

[robtown]

Gary,

Excellent thread.

For us we use products that will last outdoors. However the ease of use is very important. Now days PVC is our primary substrate but it's not too good for 3d work. Let me give a shout-out for Redwood and Cedar. Some of these are twenty years old and still holding up well. However wood needs more re-paints than does PVC or HDU.

Thanks again for your post.

Joe

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31339&stc=1

hey joe,
Im about to embark on a neighborhood entrance sign(s) project. I’m going to do woodgrain carving into 1/2 pvc with another layer of 1/2” pvc for the border and letters.
I plan to use 1/2” pvc that HD near me sells in 4’x8’ sheets. It’s easily available and this is a donation, so I need material I can get on a weekend.

how do you paint and finish your pvc signs? What primer and finish coat?

[joe]

Rob,

Donation are out of bounds for us commercial fellows. It's always been an issue on this forum. So many people buy a shopbot and think about doing signs as a hobby. With little knowledge of layout, design, proper materials, installation requirement, permits or understanding the architecture of fonts, they jump right in, muddy the water. O well, I've spent 37 years in this trade and am always amazed.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[robtown]

Rob,

Donation are out of bounds for us commercial fellows. It's always been an issue on this forum. So many people buy a shopbot and think about doing signs as a hobby. With little knowledge of layout, design, proper materials, installation requirement, permits or understanding the architecture of fonts, they jump right in, muddy the water. O well, I've spent 37 years in this trade and am always amazed.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

That doesn't really answer the question.
So I assume because I mentioned I was doing a donation, you choose not to answer it?
That is certainly your choice.
Weird, but whatever.

I'll leave you with these, some of my more favorite projects from my 30 years of custom signage design and fabrication:

https://www.facebook.com/rob.williams.3576224/media_set?set=a.1642573541291.92619.1145403642&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/rob.williams.3576224/media_set?set=a.1536056558433.71706.1145403642&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/rob.williams.3576224/media_set?set=a.1642209292185.92589.1145403642&type=3

[pro70z28]

Rob. Pages not available is what I get. I'm not registered on Facebook, so I suppose that's why. Here's another non-wood project. 2" HDF.

[robtown]

Rob. Pages not available is what I get. I'm not registered on Facebook, so I suppose that's why. Here's another non-wood project. 2" HDF.

Yeah, you'll need to be a FB member and logged in to see those pages.
There's a good mix of wood, metal, hdu, neon and fiberglass work in there along with some solid surface.

Most of these projects I've posted pictures of here over the years, but I don't know if the various blog updates kept them.

[mark_stief]

Rob Get a good Acrylic latex paint but scuff it up just a little if you have a paint store nearby they can steer you in the right direction Most of the time Joe just looks down at everybody unless your special you and I must not be one of them sometimes donations end up paying very well in the end Mark

[robtown]

Rob Get a good Acrylic latex paint but scuff it up just a little if you have a paint store nearby they can steer you in the right direction Most of the time Joe just looks down at everybody unless your special you and I must not be one of them sometimes donations end up paying very well in the end Mark

My machine came to me via an unusal route. Now that I don't do this full time, I like to pay it forward, so to speak, in this case it's an older subdivision my ex sister in law lives in where nobody really keeps up the place, and she and a couple of the neighbors have decided to reach in their pockets and make new entrance signs.
I just figured since I can, and I have the expertise, I'd help and make it for them. I've finished PVC before with automotive primer and two stage acrylic paint, but never the broken or routed surface. Plus I don't have the luxury of a paint booth anymore since I've moved on to developing and programming and no longer maintain a professional shop.
Errybody is special in their own way... even Joe ;)

[pro70z28]

I've managed to steer clear of Facebook so far. I spend too much time on forums as it is. I'm 65 and trying to push one more year of hard labor past my aging self, then slow down, but not stop. I really enjoy the sign business, but I do admit I'm looking forward to doing it when I want to rather than when I have to. One more non-wood project with HDF.

[robtown]

I've managed to steer clear of Facebook so far. I spend too much time on forums as it is. I'm 65 and trying to push one more year of hard labor past my aging self, then slow down, but not stop. I really enjoy the sign business, but I do admit I'm looking forward to doing it when I want to rather than when I have to. One more non-wood project with HDF.
Very nice...
When I closed my shop, I kept all my tools and equipment.
My goal being to retire eventually and build birdhouses and festival crafts... Really kick ass birdhouses...

[pro70z28]

My only bird house build to date is this post-tornado unit, (notice the house number). :D Didn't use the ShopBot for this. I made it out of scrap PVC left over from rebuilding the house and then did a digital wrap on the walls.

[robtown]

My only bird house build to date is this post-tornado unit, (notice the house number). :D Didn't use the ShopBot for this. I made it out of scrap PVC left over from rebuilding the house and then did a digital wrap on the walls.
That’s a pretty kick-ass birdhouse.

[Chuck Keysor]

Rob, I use Facebook, and when I looked at your links, I got to your page, but there was a message on all links that said, "
Sorry, this content isn't available right now".

Pro70Z28, what is your rainbow sign made from? You said it was made from HDF. What is that? Is it HDU? If so, what density did you use?

Thanks, Chuck

[robtown]

Rob, I use Facebook, and when I looked at your links, I got to your page, but there was a message on all links that said, "
Sorry, this content isn't available right now
".

Pro70Z28, what is your rainbow sign made from? You said it was made from HDF. What is that? Is it HDU? If so, what density did you use?

Thanks, Chuck
Sorry about that.
Those three albums were set so that only FB friends could see them.
I've changed it to "Public".
(you'll still need to be a FB member and logged in, I'm pretty sure)
When you get a chance, could you try again and let me know the results?

[pro70z28]

Still doesn't open, so being a registered facebook logger on-er must be a requirement.

[joe]

Amazing, clean and creative work.
Creative stuff like this week is so refreshing.

Joe

[joe]

Outstanding.
I've often entertained the idea of making up-scale bird houses. I'm one of those crazy bird lovers.

Joe

[Chuck Keysor]

Hello Rob. I kind of forgot to come back and check this thread...…. old age???? Anyway, I was able to see your FaceBook pages, and was quite impressed. Before I read Joe's post, my reaction to seeing your work was that it is "clean and refreshing". Also, while I couldn't really zoom in to see the details of your heart with all the words on it, it looked really nice. And the level of detail that I THINK was there was quite impressive. Good work, thanks for sharing. Chuck

[khaos]

EF3 lol So nice.

[pro70z28]

Haven't been by here lately. Thanks for the comments everybody. Please feel free to add your own, ''alternatives to wood'' projects.

This one is kind of a stretch, but I did cut the "daily planet out on the ShopBot. Substrate is composite aluminum, digitally printed, laminated and wrapped.
It will be a Metropolis backdrop for a superman display along RT. 66. at a local 50's style drive inn.

[pro70z28]

Got the Superman display done. Daily Planet Sign cut on the ShopBot.

[pro70z28]

Today's project is an HDU sign for the Area Club. I've had a sheet on the shelf for years, this is my opportunity to use it up. I just purchased the latest version of Aspire, so today I'll be brushing up on Aspire 9.0. I had it back in the v2, v3 & v4 days, but haven't used it since, so hopefully it all comes back to me. I'm sure there's new bellz'n'whistles to discover too.

[pro70z28]

Put the step riser signs on the Superman display. Took a photo, removed the grocery store from the background & replaced it with a more "Superman" type sky. :rolleyes: Got the Area Club sign cut out on the ShopBot. Pics later, too late tonight.

[guitarwes]

Awesome work. Looks fun.

[pro70z28]

Thanks guitarwes. Just finished this HDU sign today. First job off the ShopBot using the new Aspire software.

[joe]

Excellent example leading the way of woodgraining PVC. The panel is well designed with colors that stand out. Aspire is a natural for PVC texturing.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31834&stc=1

[joe]

Nope, that came out all wrong. What I was meaning to convey was how nice Gary's 3d panel came out. Not only is the carving done well but also the layout and colors chosen are excellent.
At one time, many of us were carving HDU, like his, in 3d however because of the cost and difficulty to get a good smooth surface some of us have moved on the PVC. It needs no primers.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[pro70z28]

Thanks Joe. I've been getting away from HDU myself. I've had this piece stuck away on a shelf for awhile now and when this job came up, I knew it had found a home. Got it installed today between the raindrops. Good job to do today as most of the stores on that block are closed on Saturdays. All I have left now is smaller cut offs. I've been making plaques on the Laser Engraver with those. Posted a couple. The stuff is so expensive I feel I need to make use of as much as I can.

[joe]

Gary,

Your last two panels are classic. Beautiful.
Gees, did you need all that equipment to install the HDU sign? Impressive.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[pro70z28]

I'm a 1 man sign shop, so that set up is my mechanical hired man. It has forks, back hoe, hydrostatic auger and a bucket, all built to fit the trailer. Over the years I've built a bunch of tools to go with it to make 1 man installations go smoother. Biggest back saver is an attachment for the backhoe that lets me grab posts. I have dropped 24' posts in the ground just flipping levers. The orange poles on the trailer are jigs I screw to the posts. I drop the 2"x4" cross braces in the pre-spaced hooks on the poles, screw the 2"x4"s down and remove the jigs. Big time saver, and they're spaced right every time. Trailer and truck are always loaded with everything I need to install signs. Just load the sign panels and framing material and go. The scaffolding I built several years ago to eliminate having to set up scaffolding by hand. Should have built it many years earlier in hindsight, as it makes life so much easier. It will go up 6' with the forks and 12' with the back hoe fork extension. That covers 99% of anything I install. I used to come home from building a billboard feeling like an old man (now I am one;)). It's so much easier to load all the heavy stuff on the platform and raise it with a hydraulic valve than to build the scaffold, then hoist it all up by hand, not to mention loading and unloading on site and back at the shop.

[Dish]

Gary very impressive ingenuity, and use of your equipment!

[joe]

Once again you amaze me.

If there was one piece of equipment I wish I had purchased is a Bobcat. My installer has one and it keeps his business cooking with that and a large trailer to haul dirt. Thanks for posting. We need more fellows like you showing us how it's done.

[pro70z28]

Thanks Dish & Joe for the comments.