New user. Any tips?

[jussi]

Hi guys I just bought a Compucarve this friday because a branch close to me had one on clearance. Any advice for a first time user? What to avoid? Etc? Also are you able to use regular router bits if you use the QuickRouter Adapters like the ones below?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00926695000P?keyword=1%2F4+in.+Quick Rout%99+Bit+Adaptors%2C+3+pc.&sLevel=0

[Kenm810]

Hi jussi,

Welcome to the CW Forum,

1. Lube your Machine properly!
2. Read everything on the forum
that you can get your hands on!

Including these -- http://www.carvewright.com/cms/customer_service

3. Have Fun!! :razz:


Ps. If you mean regular High Speed Steel Router Bit,
-- No-Way it's best to stay with the Carbide or CW approved bits

[jussi]

I was talking about using bits not necessarily made by Craftsman. Where is the approved lists or router bits. I actually picked up 11 bits (the 5 set + 6 set) that was on clearance. Do you find these sets are sufficient.

Also how do you reduce splintering. I used it for the first time today mostly making text based carvings and I keep getting splinters. Is that normal.

Any tips on staining? How to keep the stain uniform and not let the end grain soak up more than the rest?

[seabass]

Seal the ends, shellac will do fine. Actually, use a wash cut of shellac with a few more coats on the ends then the faces. It will help with blotches and even out the stain quite a bit.

To me shellac is way under rated and it is my go to for sealing wood for any finish.

You can buy ready made de-waxed shellac in a seal coat version from Zinsser to use as a sealer(primer) for any and all stains, compatible with every finish you can think of.. I usually mix my own flakes, but this ready made stuff is fine for all but the lightest colored woods.

http://zinsser.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=72

[jussi]

I'm going over the tutorial in using images. One of the instructions to use photoshop to preprocess the picture to eliminate the hot spots. I've used PS before but am not sure what they mean by preprocess.

[Ken Massingale]

Welcome to the forum jussi, you'll find lots of friendly folks here anxious to help. The work some of these folks do with the CW/CC is amazing.

Ken