Does the 3.5" of scrap wood on each end, need to be a specific thickness?

[TurtleCove]

So, I want to use my entire work board, and not waste 3.5" on each end. So, I need to tape some waste wood on each end, right? Well, I believe from what I read, that that waste wood needs to be the same thickness as my work material. Is that the case?

I mean, I have tons of thin wood that varies from just under 1/4" thick, to somewhere under 1/2". And, every time I wish to carve in it, I need to find waste material the exact same thickness? This seems like a huge pain.

Am I missing something?

[Kenm810]

Just add some shims under the 3.5" end fillers and tape them on level with the rails,
I do it all the time --No problems. http://forum.carvewright.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[TurtleCove]

ok then, I must be just making a bigger deal out of it, than it really needs to be. With a bunch of shims, I should be fine. Thanks.

[Dan-Woodman]

Ken
Are you referring to using a sled?

Turtlecove I'd use a sled for something like this.Put your board in the middle and fill in the ends with wood and shims or rails on the edges same length as the sled.
later Daniel

[mtylerfl]

...Well, I believe from what I read, that that waste wood needs to be the same thickness as my work material. Is that the case?...

Hello,

Yes, the end pieces must be the same thickness as the work material.

If you are using 3/4" stock, simply tape two 3.5" long pieces of 3/4" stock on the ends that are the same width as the workpiece...or use a sled...or use rails. Whatever is easiest for you. Just make sure that you don't introduce a problem by having the rollers "drop down" or "bump up" due to a varying thickness. The rollers need to press down evenly throughout the entire project - that's why you need to provide a uniform thickness for them to ride over.

[TurtleCove]

I'm working with 1/4" stock, mostly. And, my sled had rails that were an 1.5" high, so that was a problem. During the first stages, when it's calibrating, it couldn't find the surface. So, it's kind of a pain, bringing 1/4" carving stock, up to the height of the rails.

[Amonaug]

Why not make 1/4" rails?

1.5"inches? Sounds like a scanning sled not a carving sled

[Kenm810]

TurtleCove,

In the photo I posted above and here, on all the sleds the rails and fillers are the same height or a very small fraction of a inch taller than the stock being carved.
The rails and fillers for the 3/4" projects are all 3/4", in each case the rails if needed and fillers match the carving stock, the same with the 5/8", 1/2", and 1/4".

[DocWheeler]

TurtleCove,

I do not want to add confusion, but the reasoning has not been addressed completely.
The need for the end fillers is for the board-end sensor to read, they can be completely absent if you run a 1"+ piece on masking tape across the top of the rails (and even with the ends of the rails). There just needs to be something AS HIGH AS THE SIDE-RAILS for the sensor to see.

[Kenm810]

Hi Ken

I seem to remember reading that exact suggestin in the tips and tricks. http://forum.carvewright.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

ISSUE 7 April 2008 – Carving Jigs – Carrier Boards, Sleds and Rails (http://www.carvewright.com/downloads/tips/CarveWrightTips&Tricks_Apr08.pdf)

[TurtleCove]

Kenm810, looking at those 3 pix you posted...what are those 2 cubes in the last pic?

-dirk
www.thinboards.com
(lowest price on the web for thinboards...guaranteed)

[Kenm810]

Hi TurtleCove,

I do a lot of large and small pedestals, stands, and other types of displays for art pieces.
Museums and collectors call us with the number and sizes they want,
plus a theme or style their looking for to exhibite art works or objects.
In this case those cubes have a Tree Bark texture carved on them by my CW machine,
the individual pieces are mitered, assembled, colored and finishes to form small 10" x 6" x 6" square log pedestals.
These jobs keep your imagination working. http://forum.carvewright.com//images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[mtylerfl]

Ken's stuff is so cool. I remember those cubes from awhile back. Neat!

[liquidguitars]

Kens da man.

this sled is the way to go for sure. One full piece bottom and extra long tails Baby..

http://forum.carvewright.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16499&d=1224242892


LG

[TurtleCove]

For the bottoms of your sleds, what are you guys using? Probably plywood?

[Kenm810]

You can use what ever you may have,
just make sure that its flat without cups or twists, with parallel sides
and that it makes your total Sled and project board at least 1/2" thich.