my new baby... AKA The Café

[Projects with Sam]

Good morning everyone hope you all have a fantastic day...its my sons bday today he turns 8.....got some pretty cool stuff for him but he is now interested in pokemon and coral.....soooo crazy how there is a pikachu acro.....im thinking maybe that will be a good one to snag him for his bday....he is always asking questions and wanting to go coral shopping.......keep on reefin on everyone

awesome!

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I bet I could field this one... the answer is 'maybe'. Wood almost never requires coolant, but plastics might when cutting high speed cnc. RPM, cut size and depth, and travel speed matter more with plastics as well. As long as the cutter head and bed are sufficient, the tooling is appropriate, or indeed available, and cooling can be added, it may work.

Of course if the plastic in question is a softer plastic like hdpe, delrin, or nylon, any woodcutting cnc will do fine, those plastics are designed to be an 'any tool, anywhere' solution.

Ok. Here's the deal. My dad wanted a retired dude hobby. Spent a ton on a fancy wood CNC. Like he's 70k in, and bought this 7 or 8 years ago or so back when things were considerably cheaper. Made a ton of changes to his shop, added 4 phase power, bought an industrial vacuum, I think to pull the material down to the bed, he said like a reverse air hockey table. KICKER, he never got to use it. The guy who supplied the whole bit at the beginning was local, but then moved to the other side of the country and left my dad hanging. So he flew back a few times to try to get this thing going, but was never successful. It was a sore subject for my pops, so I didn't ask a ton of questions, but I gathered that it was a software issue. So mechanical and moving parts were there, just not communicating with the computer/design software.

My dad did work at Boeing, and was somewhat familiar with CNC machines at work and would sometimes bring dumb random things home that he cut from waste material. He also was a designer for parts so was familiar with the software needed.

However he's basically abandoned the original CNC and settled for a poor man's version, basically a jig to hold a router and now uses that instead.

But there's this gem collecting dust and lately I've been wondering if it's able to do acrylic sheets. But it sounds like a serious looking into things is required, since the machine never ran. But maybe, just maybe, between my half brain, my husband (who thankfully has enough brains for the both of us) and the internet, maybe someday I can get it to run?

Dad said it can do a 4x8 sheet of ply, so it's a large machine.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Hey @Projects with Sam , weren't you talking about a CNC machine yesterday? Do they come in different types? Would one intended for wood work for acrylic?

They come in all sorts of types. Its surprising how much stuff is actually made with them. or molds for stuff.

Mine is a pretty basic one; just 3 axis. some can move the part as they carve it.
I can do wood on mine; should be able to do metal but I havent tried.
Its all bout how stiffly they can hold the router to the stock.
And there are thousands of types of cutting bits for different applications.
Many machines are fully enclosed and shoot water on the part and bit that's being cut to cool it.

I've mainly done wood signs on mine. The acrylic is new to me... just got bits specific to cutting acrylic.

Though I've learned a lot since those.

 

[tbrown]

I got 8 (as of today) lol 9 about to be ten in oct. And 2 bout to be 3 in aug. awesome ages the 8 and 9 yr old got landscaping duties now lol

Happy birthday to your up and coming new reefer!

8 is a fun age, I've got one of those! I've got 13, 11, 8 and almost 4, next month!

13 and 15. Lots of CO2 in the house....

 

[Projects with Sam]

Ok. Here's the deal. My dad wanted a retired dude hobby. Spent a ton on a fancy wood CNC. Like he's 70k in, and bought this 7 or 8 years ago or so back when things were considerably cheaper. Made a ton of changes to his shop, added 4 phase power, bought an industrial vacuum, I think to pull the material down to the bed, he said like a reverse air hockey table. KICKER, he never got to use it. The guy who supplied the whole bit at the beginning was local, but then moved to the other side of the country and left my dad hanging. So he flew back a few times to try to get this thing going, but was never successful. It was a sore subject for my pops, so I didn't ask a ton of questions, but I gathered that it was a software issue. So mechanical and moving parts were there, just not communicating with the computer/design software.

My dad did work at Boeing, and was somewhat familiar with CNC machines at work and would sometimes bring dumb random things home that he cut from waste material. He also was a designer for parts so was familiar with the software needed.

However he's basically abandoned the original CNC and settled for a poor man's version, basically a jig to hold a router and now uses that instead.

But there's this gem collecting dust and lately I've been wondering if it's able to do acrylic sheets. But it sounds like a serious looking into things is required, since the machine never ran. But maybe, just maybe, between my half brain, my husband (who thankfully has enough brains for the both of us) and the internet, maybe someday I can get it to run?

Dad said it can do a 4x8 sheet of ply, so it's a large machine.

wow! I'd be on that in an instant! You could make and sell kit boats or whatever...

There is a lot involved in getting a cnc up and running. being that that's a production machine though; I'd say its probably software. There are so many resources out there for it now it'd pay to look into.
You could make lids well into retirement!

 

[Mhamilton0911]

They come in all sorts of types. Its surprising how much stuff is actually made with them. or molds for stuff.

Mine is a pretty basic one; just 3 axis. some can move the part as they carve it.
I can do wood on mine; should be able to do metal but I havent tried.
Its all bout how stiffly they can hold the router to the stock.
And there are thousands of types of cutting bits for different applications.
Many machines are fully enclosed and shoot water on the part and bit that's being cut to cool it.

I've mainly done wood signs on mine. The acrylic is new to me... just got bits specific to cutting acrylic.

Though I've learned a lot since those.

Yep, that plaque you made is basically what my dad is able to make now. He's done lots of those, addresses signs and funny sayings and such for friends. Looks similar to the set up he's currently using. Funny part is he's set this up on the bed of the big boy machine that doesn't work. Irony.

 

[Goaway]

Good morning everyone hope you all have a fantastic day...its my sons bday today he turns 8.....got some pretty cool stuff for him but he is now interested in pokemon and coral.....soooo crazy how there is a pikachu acro.....im thinking maybe that will be a good one to snag him for his bday....he is always asking questions and wanting to go coral shopping.......keep on reefin on everyone

To your son of course, but you can still use it as a way to treat the reef! Wait, you're already abusing that privilege.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

wow! I'd be on that in an instant! You could make and sell kit boats or whatever...

There is a lot involved in getting a cnc up and running. being that that's a production machine though; I'd say its probably software. There are so many resources out there for it now it'd pay to look into.
You could make lids well into retirement!

Yeah, I've gathered over the years that it's a software issue, which I would have no idea on, of course. I know it's a serious job to tackle, but if I were to inherit this machine I would definitely be interested in making aquarium things. Lids were on my list. Actually when @danieyella was taking about her lid situation is when this hit me like, what if I could make those? I don't know how, but with a group effort and many "test lids" sent out I think I might be able to make a product that everyone would like.

I know this is a serious undertaking, my pops tried for years to get this communicating and couldn't. But with a different approach I might be able to. He was holding on to the original stuff, the software, the computer, all the stuff that never worked in the first place. He was certain those should work with it so he never tried anything else. Plus he was sure the guy didn't mean to screw him, it was an accidental as screwing.

I'd probably start at the machine first and toss aside what he has, basically try to build it like it was my first time, rather than try to remedy what ever he had going on.

Either way not happening today, but my wheels are turning.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Yep, that plaque you made is basically what my dad is able to make now. He's done lots of those, addresses signs and funny sayings and such for friends. Looks similar to the set up he's currently using. Funny part is he's set this up on the bed of the big boy machine that doesn't work. Irony.

rip out the old control software and hardware. hook-up an Arduino Mega to the stepper drivers and end-stops and you're off to the races!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Ok. Here's the deal. My dad wanted a retired dude hobby. Spent a ton on a fancy wood CNC. Like he's 70k in, and bought this 7 or 8 years ago or so back when things were considerably cheaper. Made a ton of changes to his shop, added 4 phase power, bought an industrial vacuum, I think to pull the material down to the bed, he said like a reverse air hockey table. KICKER, he never got to use it. The guy who supplied the whole bit at the beginning was local, but then moved to the other side of the country and left my dad hanging. So he flew back a few times to try to get this thing going, but was never successful. It was a sore subject for my pops, so I didn't ask a ton of questions, but I gathered that it was a software issue. So mechanical and moving parts were there, just not communicating with the computer/design software.

My dad did work at Boeing, and was somewhat familiar with CNC machines at work and would sometimes bring dumb random things home that he cut from waste material. He also was a designer for parts so was familiar with the software needed.

However he's basically abandoned the original CNC and settled for a poor man's version, basically a jig to hold a router and now uses that instead.

But there's this gem collecting dust and lately I've been wondering if it's able to do acrylic sheets. But it sounds like a serious looking into things is required, since the machine never ran. But maybe, just maybe, between my half brain, my husband (who thankfully has enough brains for the both of us) and the internet, maybe someday I can get it to run?

Dad said it can do a 4x8 sheet of ply, so it's a large machine.

I run own two CNC machines in my shop. 5' x 10' and a 5' x 12'. I also employ a young man that I bet could get that machine running for your dad. Send me a pm and I can help you out for sure. What brand is the machine?

 

[Mhamilton0911]

rip out the old control software and hardware. hook-up an Arduino Mega to the drivers and end-stops and you're off to the races!

My thoughts exactly. If they never communicated, why not toss it and try something else? He was so stuck on it. And assured me that the dino computer and the windows95 software was superior to be using today. Obviously that's working out

 

[Projects with Sam]

I run own two CNC machines in my shop. 5' x 10' and a 5' x 12'. I also employ a young man that I bet could get that machine running for your dad. Send me a pm and I can help you out for sure. What brand is the machine?

 

[Lowell Lemon]

rip out the old control software and hardware. hook-up an Arduino Mega to the stepper drivers and end-stops and you're off to the races!

His machine is likely a much better control with servo drive and closed loop at the price she mentioned. It could move close to 1000" per minute maximum. A much higher evolution in machine process and control. You are talking about taking the Ferrari drive train out and replacing it with a clapped out VW bug drive train in comparison. Just saying His machine is likely much more complex and capable.

We are only a half hour away and his girlfriend lives in Orofino. What have you got to loose?

 

[fishguy242]

His machine is likely a much better control with servo drive and closed loop at the price she mentioned. It could move close to 1000" per minute maximum. A much higher evolution in machine process and control. You are talking about taking the Ferrari drive train out and replacing it with a clapped out VW bug drive train in comparison. Just saying His machine is likely much more complex and capable.

We are only a half hour away and his girlfriend lives in Orofino. What have you got to loose?

Okay here you go (509) 758-0691 is my shop phone.

Can't go wrong here...

 

[Mhamilton0911]

His machine is likely a much better control with servo drive and closed loop at the price she mentioned. It could move close to 1000" per minute maximum. A much higher evolution in machine process and control. You are talking about taking the Ferrari drive train out and replacing it with a clapped out VW bug drive train in comparison. Just saying His machine is likely much more complex and capable.

We are only a half hour away and his girlfriend lives in Orofino. What have you got to loose?

Okay here you go (509) 758-0691 is my shop phone.

I know he over built. I'm not sure exactly what projects he was hoping to make but this thing looks serious. I won't know the specs on it for a while, I know he'll be asking me to come up soon.

 

[fishguy242]

"Don't look Ethel" speaking of B'day's n all...
Wellll it is Thurs ...

 

[Projects with Sam]

His machine is likely a much better control with servo drive and closed loop at the price she mentioned. It could move close to 1000" per minute maximum. A much higher evolution in machine process and control. You are talking about taking the Ferrari drive train out and replacing it with a clapped out VW bug drive train in comparison. Just saying His machine is likely much more complex and capable.

We are only a half hour away and his girlfriend lives in Orofino. What have you got to loose?

Okay here you go (509) 758-0691 is my shop phone.

not arguing! just forum lag!

 

[Petcrazyson]

His machine is likely a much better control with servo drive and closed loop at the price she mentioned. It could move close to 1000" per minute maximum. A much higher evolution in machine process and control. You are talking about taking the Ferrari drive train out and replacing it with a clapped out VW bug drive train in comparison. Just saying His machine is likely much more complex and capable.

We are only a half hour away and his girlfriend lives in Orofino. What have you got to loose?

Okay here you go (509) 758-0691 is my shop phone.

Something tells me someone on here is going to spam call you, and then get the plank

 

[Projects with Sam]

Something tells me someone on here is going to spam call you, and then get the plank

loool ya; I'd take that down; she wrote it down I hope.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Sure did. I've just been watching CNC videos, kinda trying to get some ideas of what my dad wanted to make, I bet he was going for those intricate carving things. Such a wide variety. Bummer he never got it running.