School Project

[kmgaff]

Hi there, I am trying to help out a 10 year old little girl with a really neat school project. She wants to design and build a dog house (model size and a small dog house for her own 30 lb dog). She has interests in CAD and computer programming so I thought we could see if there is anyone out there who could help us with the design and build with CNC.

I have been drooling over CNC for about 18 months now, but don't have enough saved up for my own machine yet. We are willing to travel and I am willing to provide all materials and costs for training. This project can open the doors to all kinds of careers for Carol.

Thanks in advance- Kristi

[steve_g]

Kristi,
Where are you located?
SG

[kmgaff]

Kristi,
Where are you located?
SG


We are in NH-

[steve_g]

New Hampshire…

Well… if you decide you want to include a field trip to Texas in your learning experience, I’d be happy to show Carol how an idea becomes a sketch, a sketch becomes vectors and vectors become a product! Of my 5 grand kids who have watched me over the years, two are excited about doing more!

SG

[Martin Reid]

Dear Kristi

Your protégée could get started while you are looking for a machinist.

She has the option to design the 'dog house' in SketchUp Free.

SketchUp Fee for the Web here
https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-free

Help videos.. If she is new to sketchup then there are start up videos here
https://learn.sketchup.com/track/sketchup-fundamentals-part-1

There are some example 'dog houses' here. Not all will be 'machinable'
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search/?q=dog%20house

Tell her to be accurate with the 'board' thickness that she wants to use.

Then

Prepare parts for the CNC Machine
Try vCarve pro or Cut2D pro for free here
https://www.vectric.com/free-trial/compare

Help videos.. Vectric Tutorial Video's here
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqkhkxqPPLdtYy8ybykTlzQ

SketchUp to CNC video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcTfveAbNhY

Sincerely and in good faith
Martin

[bleeth]

There are "FabLabs" and "Makerspaces" all over that operate like a sharespace think tank for digital design. Many are associated directly with educational programs that would be perfect for your use.
http://www.shopbottools.com/mMarkets/fabLabs.htm
The program started down the road at MIT and may have a location in Portland.
Having someone so young and motivated in that type of creative direction is wonderful. Best of luck!

[bill.young]

If she's looking for inspiration, there's a free doghouse design available from www.100kprojects.com that was created years ago by a couple of guys from MIT. Click the "doghouse" tag on the right to download the dxf files and instructions.

[kmgaff]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I think this project is going to be as much fun for Carol as it is for me!

CG thanks tons for the offer to travel to Texas but, at this point we are going to try and stay within New England so we can easily transport materials.

I will be reading tons of postings as I try to get ready for my first machine. Unfortunately, more like 12 months out from a purchase.

Kristi

[kmgaff]

So far no luck with fablabs or makerspaces. The one in NH is closed. MITs is not open to the public and haven't heard back from a few others in MA or ME.

I have also reached out to a local cabinet maker and Carol's Mom stopped by there but no luck yet.

This weekend Carol is coming over to plan/design and make an initial materials list! I hope I can still make the CNC part possible for her. This am we had a little strategy meeting as she had a 2 hour delay due to more snow. This 10 yr old is REALLY pumped up for this project. Of course adding pizza and a movie night to the design day help as well!

Thanks for any more advice that can be given

Kristi Gaff and Carol Lupien

[bill.young]

Have you tried a Google Maps search for Makerspaces in New Hampshire? Not sure where you are but a quick search showed a handful of them.

https://www.google.com/maps/search/makerspace+new+hampshire/@43.2834724,-71.5940874,9z