Michael,
I really like your design better than the one that I built. I have one question: How do you lift the unit to empty the trash can?
Printable View
Ha! I was worried about that when I built it...it came out heavier than what I thought. However, it turns out I am still strong enough to lift that baby onto the top of the can. Glad it's a 30 gal can, as I don't want to have to lift it off/on too often. I am thinking of installing a clear tall plexiglass "window" or maybe a door (Angie did something like that) so I can see when it needs emptying instead of guessing.
I have not emptied it yet and don't know how much debris is in there, at the moment. All I know is that it sucks up everything.Angie installed a few large eye hooks on the top disc for the purpose of attaching some type of rope or chain lift mechanism for his. Another thought...I could make a small door opening near the bottom to vacuum the stuff out with one of my Shop Vacs, instead of lifting off the assembly.
Michael, I know I said I would upload my photos shortly there after - I took a short hiatus. Here's the finished photo of the rotary litho you helped me complete. I ended up using the Lowe's end cap modified to hold the puck light in the base, couldn't find the touch sensitivity lights so opted for the regular plug ins. I used the simple $.70 cap from lowe's for the top super glued on - unfortunately didn't take any finished photos but the idea is there. I didn't like how much light passed through the top or the fact that it still looked and felt like pvc so I roughed it up and used some Alabaster stone finish paint to give it a textured look. If I can get some finished photos I'll upload them, paint took a while to dry but was well worth the effect. I just wanted to say thank you again for the input - I have a few other ideas in store floating around to do with the rotary lithos, if/when I get them done I'll be sure to let you know when I post them.
Paul
Attachment 71987Attachment 71988Attachment 71989Attachment 71990
Paul, that looks awesome! To clarify, it looks like you masked off the litho, but not the text, when you painted. Is the text still as bright/visible? Does the litho section still look like carved PVC?
Paul,
Thank you for showing us the photos! The litho looks fantastic. Great idea to use that Alabaster stone finish paint.
I'm looking forward to seeing your other ideas, too!
Thanks again.
That's correct I didn't tape off the letters when I painted the litho. I made a point of not hitting that area too hard but the finish closely resembled the rough finish left after carving the litho area, the letters still showed through fine when I finished. The textured finish idea came after the carving, I'm thinking of sanding and painting the pvc prior to carving next time around to see if it works out better - a little weary on effect on the bit, we'll see though. Thanks for the input and once I get a photo from the recipients I'll edit the post and add it in.
Im using the ring neck with a harbor freight dust remover. It works good. Here is my first rotary lithophane. I've been doing lithophanes for the last four years. Settings are .17, with a rise of 200.Attachment 72043
That turned out exceptionally well.
How are you mounting it and/or adding light. Here in Oregon I can't come up all the parts suggested by Michael. I just might have to carve a base and top.
Tatay44
Well done.
I really like the painting idea.
dave
Tatay44,
That really did turn out Saweet !!!
Gary
Tatay44,
That looks great! Excellent contrast and the photo looks really nice and clear. I'm so glad you are having fun making the rotary lithos!
I use the 3in drain cover with a small piece of hard wood screwed down on to the rotary jig. Adding light is just using an accent light base with a 40 watt LED. The accent light base is 3.25 so you will have to lathe the bottom of your lithophane to fit snug. I did make a small fitted piece to go under it so it cant fall in.
I know this is an older thread but a few weeks ago I came across this thread. I had not yet bought the Rotary jig but this thread made me make up my mind and get one.Today I gave it ago with my first Litho Rotary carve using 3" PVC and I am Happy with the results, Very Happy. The only problem I see with the carve is the picture looks off as far as format. You know when you take a movie that was shot in widescreen and watch it in a standard format. The people look thin and taller then they should. That is the way the litho came out. MY brothers eyes look squinted as well as his smile. I was wondering with anything carved round do you need to pull the picture in designer to make it wider then normal so it looks normal when carved on the rotary jig? If so about how much does one need to make the picture wider so it looks normal. I hope I am explaining it correctly so you know what I mean. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Howdy,
Photos may or may not distort noticeably when carving in the round. You can use the on-screen preview of the result to see if there is any objectionable distortion or not (the right side of the split screen). If you notice distortion, then you can easily adjust your photo dimension (via the left screen by squashing or pulling it horizontally or vertically) until the rotary preview looks good to you.
If you can, attach your mpc to this thread and we can take a look. If the file size is too large to post here, email it to me at carvebuddy (at) cs (dot) com
Maybe it is a illusion thing. A picture viewed at a side angle would look better if it was stretched. Maybe a little stretch would also help for these curved pictures.
Is that what you mean or do you think there was a scaling problem with the software? A dowel diameter mismatch?
Can we see a picture of the litho?
I just turned off my lights so I could get a good picture for you and it does seem to be better with it being night time and no lights on. I also put the puck light on top of the Litho instead of the bottom and the eyes look better. I have included the original picture so you can compare the eyes and mouth. What do you think?
I do not think it is distorted. I think you just did not use bit optimization best.
That looks very nice.
Jeff
sunmiztres
Wonderful litho. Great carve.
Personally I think it looks fine. I still haven't played around with carving pvc on the rotary jig but I have been reading all the posts about it here on the forum.
Mike