After quite a bit of time breaking down and tweaking the 3D model and then jumping throught some hoops to output correctly formatted vectors of (hopefully) all of the parts, I was finally able to take everything into Vectrics Aspire in order to generate the tool paths.
Did a pen test first, and then changed the layout, so hopefully the lines will sand off. Here’s the 3/4” sheet:
(anyone know how to upoad photos right side up?!)
Today had me wishing for a vacuum hold down system or some plastic screws. We did not get to finish the 1/2” sheet of parts due to (not one, but TWO) broken endmills! >:-(. I put a hold down screw a tiny bit too close to the path and totally missed the other one that was right in the way:
Tomorrow will finish up the 1/2” sheet and start putting this puzzle together. After buying some new bits, of course.
-- Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill
6 comments so far
JR45
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409 posts in 483 days
#1 posted 75 days ago
This is looking good. Will you be using hide glue for the construction parts?
Jim
-- It always looks better when it's finished!
shipwright
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3396 posts in 968 days
#2 posted 75 days ago
There is more and more irony happening here Sally. CNC cutting of the parts is a far cry from the hand cutting you will be doing with the chevalet but running your endmill into a screw has exactly the same effect as running your chevalet blade into one of those tiny nails that Mat and I were playing with last month. Maybe these experiences will help guide your hand when you start installing veneer nails, to keep them clear of the lines but not so far away as to waste material. :-)
Interesting build to say the least.
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/
sandhill
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1978 posts in 2094 days
#3 posted 75 days ago
Not sure if I can put my finger on it but something seems to be missing in your first drawing in Part#1 Look like its coming along good.
Mathew Nedeljko
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462 posts in 2000 days
#4 posted 74 days ago
Hey Sally, this is looking good! I’m sure there is a learning curve involved, and I’m sure you are the first to ever attempt a chevalet build using this technology. Very interesting approach.
One thing I am wondering about is how you are going to maintain precise alignment to make your joinery work during the glue up of the thicker components…are you planning to shoot brads to hold the layers in place so they don’t slide around on you?
-- You either think you can, or think you can't. Either way you are right. Henry Ford
zombolina
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17 posts in 168 days
#5 posted 74 days ago
Jim, I thought about using hide glue. But I do have a gallon of Titebond that I should use up. Something to think about…
Bob- I’m sure there is plenty missing! But I only posted the first sheet. I think I will end up with around 2 1/4 full sheets. But then, haven’t drawn out ALL of the parts…some things like the saw arm I might make separately.
Mat- funny you should bring that up, I was actually wondering that myself today…had I been thinking, I would have drilled more through holes and lined all of the parts up with a dowels. But I think I’ll just end up laminating 2 pieces at a time. We’ll see!
-- Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill
apprentice
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139 posts in 330 days
#6 posted 11 days ago
Hi Sally
If you don’t have vacuum hold down you can use double sided tape to stick the board down sucurely.
If you use screws to hold things down, you can use brass, the carbide tipped cutters will handle brass no problem.
Does your operating system allow for set depth cutting passes, if it does, take a few passes to prevent tool breakages.
To right pictures, do it at source and save before uploading.
Davy.
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