How can you cut a part longer then your shopbot?

[blake_koehn]

I make signs. This sign that I am working on it is 10 feet long. I have an 8 foot long table. It needs to be cut to a shape. No 3D work is involved.

Is there a way to cut part of the sign and then move it and finish? Surely someone here has figured out a good way to do this.

Thanks

[signtist]

It is possible....screw down a straight edge to the table on the bottom and cut the left half, then slide it along the straight edge to cut the right half. This is done only if the bottom is straight.

[scottcox]

You can do this on any shaped piece if you drill registration holes in the workpiece and the table.

For example, drill two holes through the workpiece and into the table. Insert dowels to align, then cut the first portion. Then remove workpiece from the table and drill more two holes into the table at your desired offset. Then insert dowels through the workpiece into the new holes. You're now "registered". See image.

You can also drill partially into the back of the workpiece without piercing the front. It just requires an extra flip.


6972

[mikeacg]

I use the straight-edge method like John. I have a 12 ft. powerstick on my Buddy and am regularly asked to do pieces longer than 144 inches (actual carving area). I mark the edge of the board and then mark the straight-edge with the current position and the required movement position. I am going to have to try the dowel method though! I have a big one coming in on Wednesday. Thanks Scott!!

Mike

[erik_f]

I've bored holes in the spoil board around the edge of a piece and used dowels as alignment pegs. One set of pegs and files for each side. When your first set is done put the right pegs in the right holes and then flip the piece around.

[rhfurniture]

My preferred way is to use a straight edge fence (fixed then milled on the shopbot) AND a single dowel (drilled by shopbot) for location. You can machine an odd shape along a straight edge by screwing it onto a piece of plywood with a straight edge and moving both along a fence.