vandel
02-16-2011, 04:24 PM
Greetings everyone,
I've been reading the forums for some time, watched the videos here and at youtube, have not purchased a CW yet (still saving the money) and have some questions.
I'm starting a home business making custom wood gun grips. I'm considering the CW to speed up the process (especially fitting the grips to the gun). What I foresee is hand make one set of grips and use the probe to get it on the computer. How do you scan both sides considering neither is flat or level? I would assume I need to make the scanned piece as level as possible. I was thinking using the screw hole but it would be nice if the CW will scan / drill that hole for me, or at least an indentation to show the correct location. Proof reading I thought, use the screw hole to hold it level, then pack the underside with hot glue?
The wood I’m using is 3/8 inch thick. Is it possible to make a sled where the sled can just be flipped and the CW has access to both sides. I think this would be the best way to ensure the work piece remains exactly lined up for 2 sided carving.
Speaking of sleds: I do not have a table saw or planer, so how hard will it be to make a sled? It sounds like it needs to be perfectly flat for the sensors in the CW. Is a planer needed to do it right? Are there any sources or people in the forums selling sleds? The other issue I have with making a sled is, my source for wood does not make the wood consistently the same size, normally it is 3/8 thick but the other dimensions range from 1 13/16 to 2 3/8 by 5 to 5 15/16. An adjustable sled would be great, I was thinking in the 3 inch overhang on both ends, drill two holes from the outer edge too the center of the sled where the work will be held, having screws running through the holes to a clamping block. Both sides made like this so different size blocks can be centered with out making additional sleds. Basically making a wooden vise on both ends. I hope my description makes sense? Would this work?
From what I’ve been reading, checkering is possible with the CW. Are there different types of checkering available in the software? I.E. instead of normal diamond, fish scale or basket weave.
I'm wanting to stick with Ironwood and Burls due to the beauty of it and too try to make my grips unique, but I’m wondering if Ironwood will wear out the bits too fast or the burl getting chipped from the carving process.
I understand the CW is pretty loud. I intend to get the vacuum hood I noticed pictured here to keep it clean and wondering if I built a wood and Plexiglas box to put over the CW to cut down on the noise if that will cause cooling issues.
I've been reading allot about the "Rock chuck". I can't find it on the CW web site. Who sells it and is it needed with the C version machine?
Lastly, anyone in the Greensboro NC area that wouldn't mind demonstrating a CW? Nothing special, just what ever your working on.
Thanks in advance for any info to my questions, I’m certain I will purchase a CW, just doing a bit of research.
I've been reading the forums for some time, watched the videos here and at youtube, have not purchased a CW yet (still saving the money) and have some questions.
I'm starting a home business making custom wood gun grips. I'm considering the CW to speed up the process (especially fitting the grips to the gun). What I foresee is hand make one set of grips and use the probe to get it on the computer. How do you scan both sides considering neither is flat or level? I would assume I need to make the scanned piece as level as possible. I was thinking using the screw hole but it would be nice if the CW will scan / drill that hole for me, or at least an indentation to show the correct location. Proof reading I thought, use the screw hole to hold it level, then pack the underside with hot glue?
The wood I’m using is 3/8 inch thick. Is it possible to make a sled where the sled can just be flipped and the CW has access to both sides. I think this would be the best way to ensure the work piece remains exactly lined up for 2 sided carving.
Speaking of sleds: I do not have a table saw or planer, so how hard will it be to make a sled? It sounds like it needs to be perfectly flat for the sensors in the CW. Is a planer needed to do it right? Are there any sources or people in the forums selling sleds? The other issue I have with making a sled is, my source for wood does not make the wood consistently the same size, normally it is 3/8 thick but the other dimensions range from 1 13/16 to 2 3/8 by 5 to 5 15/16. An adjustable sled would be great, I was thinking in the 3 inch overhang on both ends, drill two holes from the outer edge too the center of the sled where the work will be held, having screws running through the holes to a clamping block. Both sides made like this so different size blocks can be centered with out making additional sleds. Basically making a wooden vise on both ends. I hope my description makes sense? Would this work?
From what I’ve been reading, checkering is possible with the CW. Are there different types of checkering available in the software? I.E. instead of normal diamond, fish scale or basket weave.
I'm wanting to stick with Ironwood and Burls due to the beauty of it and too try to make my grips unique, but I’m wondering if Ironwood will wear out the bits too fast or the burl getting chipped from the carving process.
I understand the CW is pretty loud. I intend to get the vacuum hood I noticed pictured here to keep it clean and wondering if I built a wood and Plexiglas box to put over the CW to cut down on the noise if that will cause cooling issues.
I've been reading allot about the "Rock chuck". I can't find it on the CW web site. Who sells it and is it needed with the C version machine?
Lastly, anyone in the Greensboro NC area that wouldn't mind demonstrating a CW? Nothing special, just what ever your working on.
Thanks in advance for any info to my questions, I’m certain I will purchase a CW, just doing a bit of research.