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ACFerguson
Tue 02 February 2010, 18:50
I have no experience with CNC.

I teach machine shop at a high school, but we've no CNC equipment and I've never learned.

I have solid welding skills and own a 1600 square foot woodworking shop.

I figure I have the requisit starting skills to learn wbout CNC.

I want to build a 3-axis CNC router. Additionally, I own a 14x40 metal lathe and a 9x40 milling machine. I also want to add CNC capability to my milling machine (and perhaps the lathe). But, the CNC router seems to be a simple project that might serve me best to get my feet wet with.

I would enjoy hearing from you as to your thoughts on my ideas, and feel free to tell me if my thoughts on all of this are "loco".

Looking forward to your replies

Tony
sailfl
Tue 02 February 2010, 20:10
Tony,

Sounds as though you are ahead of the game than most. I am a software guy and had no experience with CNC. You will do fine.
domino11
Tue 02 February 2010, 21:08
Welcome Tony. Another fellow Canadian! :)
Gerald D
Tue 02 February 2010, 22:31
Hi Tony. I see that you are from White Lake . . . . . . but all your lakes are white now? :)
domino11
Tue 02 February 2010, 23:58
And some are solid. :)
ACFerguson
Wed 03 February 2010, 16:40
LOL, yes, most of our lakes would indeed be quite "white" and solid right now. Although, mine is still "White" in the middle of summer! I guess that makes it the best one!

Glad to see that other canuks are on this forum!

Well, I may be ahead in CAD knowledge and workshop skills and equipment, but the software and programing side of things seems the most challenging to me!!!

Thanks for the kind welcome to the group. I look forward to my painful learning curve!

Cheers

Tony
sailfl
Thu 04 February 2010, 05:55
Tony,

It is like any thing else. If you want to cut simple 2D stuff, you have CAD experience and that is good. Using the CAM program is just some more learning. 3D takes a little learning but most CAM programs have good tutorials.

Good Luck
ACFerguson
Thu 04 February 2010, 17:56
Thanks.

Any recomendations for CAM software to try out? Most companies have trial versions available, but like most things, some will be better than others. Rather than trying everything out, it may make more sense to try out what works well for most people!

Cheers

Tony
WFY
Thu 04 February 2010, 18:27
Hi Tony,
Is it White Lake, Ontario?
ACFerguson
Thu 04 February 2010, 19:01
yes, White Lake, ON. About an hour West from Ottawa.
WFY
Thu 04 February 2010, 19:20
I am off Hwy 17 before Pembroke and I just got my machine running. You are more than welcome to stop buy any time.
Buzz
sailfl
Thu 04 February 2010, 19:27
Tony,

Look at the vectric software. They offer a number of packages and you download a trial.

http://www.vectric.com/

Their software is resonable priced but they are all expensive.

Hope that helps.
domino11
Thu 04 February 2010, 20:27
Tony, I am in Cornwall, about an hour south east of Ottawa. I have already met Buzz. :) Let me know if you want some laser cut parts. Still have a set waiting to go. :)
domino11
Thu 04 February 2010, 20:28
Hey Buzz, great to hear your still around. Will be contacting you shortly. :)
ACFerguson
Fri 05 February 2010, 05:22
Thanks Buzz, That's a great offer! I'm in Pembrooke half a dozen times each year! I will deffinitly contact you when I'm next there.

Hi Domino, I have been down to Cornwall to play underwater hockey and to go scuba diving many times! Although, I haven't been down in a few years. When I'm ready to move forward with this build, I will drive down and check out your laser cutting machine!

Cheers

Tony
domino11
Sat 06 February 2010, 19:30
Hey Tony, I am also a scuba diver. Have not dove in a few years due to a back injury and time, but I love it.
Unfortuneatly I do not have laser cutter, I just get the parts cut and bent to help out guys on the forum. It all just started when I was looking for kits myself and found it was cheaper to do them in batches rather than one at a time. :)
ACFerguson
Sat 06 February 2010, 20:08
Ah, I see. So do you have a cnc router, yourself?

Ron McDonald (dive operator and store owner from Cornwall) has been a friend of mine for nearly 30 years. We've dove together, played underwater hockey together, and talked wild tales together. Do you know Ron?

Cheers

Tony
domino11
Mon 08 February 2010, 09:37
Hey Tony, I know Ron quite well. I have dove with him off his boat many many times. I also was on the executive of the dive club for a bunch of years as well. Small world.

Well, I am starting my MM build this spring, just finished the garage and now have a place for the router. :)