Wow! You are simply amazing! I got an elder friend, she is not very tech heavy, and I am trying to help her out to figure out the machine, and I learned so much from you!
I do a lot of stuff along the same lines using V-carve. The particulars are different but using the concept of having a basic "blank" that you add different things to is a very powerful way to crank out a LOT of assorted stuff like clocks. One thing I do now and then is custom place markers for things like weddings. The place marker has 2 parts. One is the part common to ALL the markers, the other part is just a name, While I use V-carve to generate the G-code the process is exactly the same. First you make up the basic markers with the common graphics/text then you just add the names alone. Whats critical is to keep track of the zero points. I do it by creating an OFFSET from the real zero on the jig. It dosent matter where you place the holder as the offset is fixed to the holder, NOT some specific point on the bed. How I do it is to make up a holding jig for the markers. An easy way is to cut a pocket in some stock at least half way the thickness of the markers using the profile tool path but cutting INSIDE the path, NOT the normal outside. You now have a holder that is a tight fit for a marker. Make up a marker with nothing more than a cross hair engraved at whatever point you use for zero. Attach the holder to your CNC parallel to the X and y axis. Now pop in your marked blank and rezero to the crosshairs. Now manually make a crosshair at that point. WRITE DOWN the X and Y values when centered on the holder crosshairs. To set up to the real zero the next go around just manually jog to the jig croshairs and enter the values you have written on it into the DROs along with some Z settings way above things in the air. When you hit GO TO ZERO you will be dead on the X and Y zero point with the bit way up. Just manually set Z by what ever method you use. I use a touch plate myself. Try it sometime, you will find that trick very useful.. :) Also SAVE the G-code files as they are often handy to have.
Thanks for the video. Fun with a cnc router, although it would be much easier just to cut the blanks without the cnc router, still it's all about practice and learning. Keep them coming please, i enjoy learning about inkscape and makercam. Have you had much practice with other programs like fusion 360?
Glad you liked the video, I don't have any experience with fusion 360, but I am always willing to learn new things. I purchased a program called Vcarve pro, and I will probably be using that a lot to make more complicated projects. Once I gain some knowledge with the software I will make some videos on it. Most of my cnc programming has been with a software package called Bobcad cad cam . Both Vcarve pro and Bobcad are kind of expensive , so I am going to continue to make videos using as much open source software as possible, but I still want to get some videos out there using Vcarve as well. Thanks for watching
Sir do you think you could do a video from start to finish a small PCB on your cnc. How to change the file to svg I don't use mach3 I use ugs but does the same thing. In closing I love your videos you do a good job explaining them I think you would do a good job thanks in advance Mike.
I do clocks different. First I locate the center and mark it on BOTH sides. Next I do the front as the motor shaft hole will be at the center. If I do the motor pocket on the back first I loose the center on the front. I leave about 1/8 uncut. Finally I do the motor pocket and shaft hole on the back side. Super easy to bandsaw off the scrap as 1/8 inch of wood dosent offer much resistance. A bit of sanding around the edge and youre done..
I have a question. When doing the second step I noticed the you mentioned it last that way it doesn’t get cut out first. I get that part. But let’s say you needed to change the bit Before it does the second task how do you change the bit does the program go back to zero and give you time to change before continuing on. Or do you have to hit the stop button and change the bit and them hit go. Or do you have to restart the whole program over. I’m trying to understand how this all works. Thank you.
If you break a tool it is probably just easier to start it all over again. If you have separate tools in the program you will have to have a M00 line of code to have it stop. I then change my tool , touch off my Z axis then go to my new line of code that starts the new tool off and start the program from there
The best thing is to have a completely different program for the different tool. Just find your X,Y zero position and touch of the new tool for your Z zero
4 AXIS CNC 6040 ROUTER DRILLING & MILLING PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVER MACHINE ( 171456563604 ) I got this on Bay, this is the CNC you see in the video. The price was About $1,500
There are several different softwares that you could use, but the learning curve is much higher. Probably the best one you can use for free is Fusion 360. You cans download and use it for free if you are just using it as a hobby. If you want to use the best software for a CNC Routet, then I would recommend Vetric cut 2d pro , it is expensive but I believe there is no finer software.
@@The_old_geezer_geek Thanks for your reply. I am trying to learn Fusion 360, but now my laptop shows a message concerning my graphics card is not right. I really enjoy your lessons. I have a Genmitsu cnc 3018 MX3. Any suggestions. I am quite frustrated that Makercam does not work.
I want to build a cnc router but being 79 I was worried about the software. After watching your video I think I can handle it. You go slow enough to follow and show the screen large enough to see, not like some of the videos. thanks for a good video.
My cnc is total homebrew, no plans used and It will hold to within 5 thou across 24 inches. It has a cutting envelope of 6 Z 18 Y and 24X. I got right at $1000 in it. That includes Mach 3 (the control software) running on an 16 year old computer, and V-carve desktop. While there is a bunch of free cad/cam software out there I personally preffer commercial programs as they all offer far more features and are easier to use. I generally DONT recommend a scratch built for most people because of all the engineering details involved. Its better for most people to buy some plans and go by that. I built mine about 3 years back when I was 70... Turns out that CNC is one of the most useful tool in my shop. I often use it to make odd size and shaped holes and to level wood that too small to go through a typical planer.
I wish I could , I’m building a new house and new shop and all my equipment is in storage for the next few months, otherwise I would already be making one on changing a tool, it is a great question and it would be so much easier for someone to see it done . sorry I’m not much help
Hi Simon, you can buy g-codes from Etsy I believe they have quite a few projects already programmed.Also the Vetric website has a demo version you can download and they have some free projects as well, at least they did at one time.
Very helpful tutorial! I feel like I may finally be able to use my CNC router for something other than a boat anchor. Keep up the great work.
Thanks, if I can help in any way just let me know. Have fun with your router.
Thanks, I may do that.
Wow! You are simply amazing! I got an elder friend, she is not very tech heavy, and I am trying to help her out to figure out the machine, and I learned so much from you!
Hi Tim, Thanks for the video, I hope your house build is going well. Cant wait for more cnc tutorials.
Thank You I really appreciate your videos. Just got a small cnc router your info has help me get a grip on the computer side of cnc. thanks again.
love your vids, just got me an M3 CNC...cant wait to play with it
I love your simple shield contraption!
great job, your tutorials help a lot, I appreciate your efforts and look forward to more informative videos.
Wonderful good job my friend.. Simple and beautiful I like it ..
great vid you explain it in great detail as a newbey i under stand it all well done my frend
Thank you so much for the nice compliment, that makes it all worth doing, just knowing someone got some benefit from the video.
excelent video i enjoy your explainations and step by step, learned alot thanks
Thanks for watching, glad you liked it
Thanks, it was pretty easy to do and keeps the area clean
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you liked it
Thanks for taking time to watch my video
Can you do a video on how to change while making a cut. I just ordered the 3040 and I’m still learning.
Glad you liked it, thanks for taking time to watch it
I bought my cnc router/engraving machine on EBay it is the 6040 with a 4th axis. It comes with the Mach3 software
I do a lot of stuff along the same lines using V-carve. The particulars are different but using the concept of having a basic "blank" that you add different things to is a very powerful way to crank out a LOT of assorted stuff like clocks.
One thing I do now and then is custom place markers for things like weddings. The place marker has 2 parts. One is the part common to ALL the markers, the other part is just a name, While I use V-carve to generate the G-code the process is exactly the same. First you make up the basic markers with the common graphics/text then you just add the names alone.
Whats critical is to keep track of the zero points. I do it by creating an OFFSET from the real zero on the jig. It dosent matter where you place the holder as the offset is fixed to the holder, NOT some specific point on the bed.
How I do it is to make up a holding jig for the markers. An easy way is to cut a pocket in some stock at least half way the thickness of the markers using the profile tool path but cutting INSIDE the path, NOT the normal outside. You now have a holder that is a tight fit for a marker. Make up a marker with nothing more than a cross hair engraved at whatever point you use for zero. Attach the holder to your CNC parallel to the X and y axis. Now pop in your marked blank and rezero to the crosshairs. Now manually make a crosshair at that point. WRITE DOWN the X and Y values when centered on the holder crosshairs. To set up to the real zero the next go around just manually jog to the jig croshairs and enter the values you have written on it into the DROs along with some Z settings way above things in the air. When you hit GO TO ZERO you will be dead on the X and Y zero point with the bit way up. Just manually set Z by what ever method you use. I use a touch plate myself.
Try it sometime, you will find that trick very useful.. :) Also SAVE the G-code files as they are often handy to have.
Thanks John, I hope to get making some new videos soon
Very helpful for me as a beginner..Thank you.
Thanks for watching, have fun with your cnc router
Thank you so much for watching, I really appreciate it
Sounds like a good approach, I’ll have to give it a try
Great video as always, thanks for the upload!
What kind of machine you have? Thank you
Thanks so much for the information, I appreciate it
This is a great video, you are incredible at explaining this process. May I ask what CNC router are you using?
Thanks Scott, I got my CNC router from eBay ,and I paid right around $1500 for the unit. If you get one and need any help with it just let me know.
Thanks for the video. Fun with a cnc router, although it would be much easier just to cut the blanks without the cnc router, still it's all about practice and learning. Keep them coming please, i enjoy learning about inkscape and makercam. Have you had much practice with other programs like fusion 360?
Glad you liked the video, I don't have any experience with fusion 360, but I am always willing to learn new things. I purchased a program called Vcarve pro, and I will probably be using that a lot to make more complicated projects. Once I gain some knowledge with the software I will make some videos on it. Most of my cnc programming has been with a software package called Bobcad cad cam . Both Vcarve pro and Bobcad are kind of expensive , so I am going to continue to make videos using as much open source software as possible, but I still want to get some videos out there using Vcarve as well.
Thanks for watching
Another great video, thank you
Thanks for watching
Sir do you think you could do a video from start to finish a small PCB on your cnc. How to change the file to svg I don't use mach3 I use ugs but does the same thing. In closing I love your videos you do a good job explaining them I think you would do a good job thanks in advance Mike.
Thank you for the kind words
I do clocks different. First I locate the center and mark it on BOTH sides. Next I do the front as the motor shaft hole will be at the center. If I do the motor pocket on the back first I loose the center on the front. I leave about 1/8 uncut. Finally I do the motor pocket and shaft hole on the back side. Super easy to bandsaw off the scrap as 1/8 inch of wood dosent offer much resistance. A bit of sanding around the edge and youre done..
I have a question. When doing the second step I noticed the you mentioned it last that way it doesn’t get cut out first. I get that part. But let’s say you needed to change the bit Before it does the second task how do you change the bit does the program go back to zero and give you time to change before continuing on. Or do you have to hit the stop button and change the bit and them hit go. Or do you have to restart the whole program over. I’m trying to understand how this all works. Thank you.
If you break a tool it is probably just easier to start it all over again. If you have separate tools in the program you will have to have a M00 line of code to have it stop. I then change my tool , touch off my Z axis then go to my new line of code that starts the new tool off and start the program from there
The best thing is to have a completely different program for the different tool. Just find your X,Y zero position and touch of the new tool for your Z zero
what brand of cnc do you have? where did you get it from and cost?
I need a cnc that can engrave glass and do work carving for a hobbiest..
4 AXIS CNC 6040 ROUTER DRILLING & MILLING PROFESSIONAL ENGRAVER MACHINE
( 171456563604 )
I got this on Bay, this is the CNC you see in the video. The price was About $1,500
hello. thank you for the reply. does it come with software?
Yes it comes with Mach3 software, this will allow you to generate the necessary G-code to run the CNC
Thanks, have fun with your new CNC
Thanks for a great video
Thanks for watching, glad you liked it
What alternative to use for makercam?
There are several different softwares that you could use, but the learning curve is much higher. Probably the best one you can use for free is Fusion 360. You cans download and use it for free if you are just using it as a hobby. If you want to use the best software for a CNC Routet, then I would recommend Vetric cut 2d pro , it is expensive but I believe there is no finer software.
@@The_old_geezer_geek Thanks for your reply. I am trying to learn Fusion 360, but now my laptop shows a message concerning my graphics card is not right. I really enjoy your lessons. I have a Genmitsu cnc 3018 MX3. Any suggestions. I am quite frustrated that Makercam does not work.
Leon Willover did you look at my fix for makercam video?
Leon Willover ruclips.net/video/pCa4EpedPVQ/видео.html
Great video, subbed!
Super
I want to build a cnc router but being 79 I was worried about the software. After watching your video I think I can handle it. You go slow enough to follow and show the screen large enough to see, not like some of the videos. thanks for a good video.
Thank You so much, good luck on your projects.
My cnc is total homebrew, no plans used and It will hold to within 5 thou across 24 inches. It has a cutting envelope of 6 Z 18 Y and 24X. I got right at $1000 in it. That includes Mach 3 (the control software) running on an 16 year old computer, and V-carve desktop. While there is a bunch of free cad/cam software out there I personally preffer commercial programs as they all offer far more features and are easier to use. I generally DONT recommend a scratch built for most people because of all the engineering details involved. Its better for most people to buy some plans and go by that. I built mine about 3 years back when I was 70... Turns out that CNC is one of the most useful tool in my shop. I often use it to make odd size and shaped holes and to level wood that too small to go through a typical planer.
M00 code. Does that mean you would leave that next step with just 0
I wish I could , I’m building a new house and new shop and all my equipment is in storage for the next few months, otherwise I would already be making one on changing a tool, it is a great question and it would be so much easier for someone to see it done . sorry I’m not much help
thanks!!!!!!!!!
Hi where can i buy g-codes
Hi Simon, you can buy g-codes from Etsy I believe they have quite a few projects already programmed.Also the Vetric website has a demo version you can download and they have some free projects as well, at least they did at one time.
When you go to Etsy just type in cnc files and it will pop up with many projects
super
Sounds like a good approach, I’ll have to give it a try