On May 22, 2021, at 2:26 PM, Michael Garrison Stuber <mtgstuber@...> wrote:

I've had a CNC router for over 20 years now.? I have a ShopBot PRT.? At some point I plan on upgrading, but I've got to finish moving into my new shop first.? Here are my observations:

• CNC allows me to do things that I am incapable of doing by hand.
• CNC requires good software.? Some of the best packages are thousands of dollars.? You also have to know how to use it, which takes time and dedication.? I'm a computer geek by trade so I don't find it at all imposing, but there are plenty of things that I still can't do well or quickly with the software because I don't spend enough time practicing.? I'm sure it would be different if I was doing projects every day.? Bottom line -- don't underestimate the time commitment associated with learning to use the software well.
  
• CNC is great for things that need to be precise or that you want to make a lot of.?
  
• CNC is awful for doing ad hoc work.? You have to do lots of design and setup up front.? You can't just "knock something out"
• CNC can be painfully slow.? Part of this is my particular machine.? I'm sure a modern machine with a high horse power spindle would do better, but saw blades cut straight lines a lot faster than router bits do and give a nicer finished edge, even if you have the ultimate machine (and the power source to feed it).
  
• Don't underestimate how much effort goes into holding down your materials.? Vacuum systems can help, but they add to the costs, complexity, and power consumption.
• The nice thing about CNC jobs is you can set them up and let them run.? This is also the horrible thing.? CNC machines, even with spindles instead of routers, are loud, and you really can't leave them unattended.? Bad things, very bad things can happen if you set something wrong, or a collet wasn't quite tight enough, or there was an embedded nail you didn't know about.? You can have a fire or a ruined tool in a heartbeat.? So you're stuck there watching a loud screaming machine do it's thing.? The first couple of times it's magical.? After that it's boring.?? You'll want other tools in your shop to work with while you wait for the CNC.? And hearing protection.? Very good hearing protection.
  

CNC is a powerful creative tool and I'm very glad I have one.? I don't regret the cost or the space.? That said, while I've done shelving units and cabinets using it, given the limitations of my machine, it's not my first choice.? It's faster for me to knock things out on a saw and use the CNC for fancy decorative stuff.? For some of the small stuff I use my laser cutter instead, as I don't have to fuss with work holding.? When I first got the machine I thought I would use it for everything.? Now I use it for things that require precision, that require embellishment, or for things that I want to create multiple copies of.? When I upgrade machines I expect I'll revisit the work holding part of things and focus on improvements I can make there to make the CNC machine more effective.? I also plan on upgrading to a spindle (quieter) and a tool changer so that I can hog things out with a big bit and then switch to smaller bits for detail work and not have to fuss with it.

--Michael Garrison Stuber

On 5/22/2021 2:00 PM, Bill James via wrote:

Hi,

I am trying to find a replacement for my sliding table saw that takes less space but still allows to build hardwood furnitures, builtins, closet systems, kitchen cabinets.. I am not interested in a standard table saw and I plan to keep my jointer/planer, miter saw for some of the hardwood task. I know that CNC routers with flat bed are really good for cabinet box/sheet good, but it seems that the new machines with some pod tables are able to manage hardwood too. I am not a production shop, just looking to see if I can reduce the footprint (2 times the sliding table length, the rip capacity and the outrigger).

If anyone has insight on using a CNC for sheet good and hardwood and would like to share, I will appreciate. In term of machines, I am looking at middle to high end version from Shopsabre, CAmaster, Freedom Patriot as they all offer compact design for a 4x8 table.

I know that there is a learning curve from software and cutting technics (flow, order, tooling, holding parts), but as hobbyist I do not see any issue with that.

Thanks for all feedback,

Bill

-- 
Michael Garrison Stuber

Hi all,
I have a call into my rep at Felder, but wanted to ask here as well.

I have a 12” A3-31 Hammer Jointer/Planer and a Hammer N4400 17” amongst my woodworking tools that I’m planning to sell soon. Bought New in 2013 if I recall correctly. Lovingly used lightly; the A3/31 still has the original cutting blades which are still sharp - used mostly on curly maple, walnut and a few other exotics. Have new upgraded blades ready to insert as well.
Bandsaw has about same amount of use. And multiple blades for a variety of use.

Don’t need to sell, but would like to to start fresh in a new shop in a year or two. Doesn’t make sense to store them, when I know good machines are sparse in availability right now. Would rather see them being put to use by someone more productive.

Upgraded both machines to accept the Hammer table extensions (have long and short). Professionally wired by a master electrician.

Best way to sell and ideas on price? I live in VA, USA if it matters.

Cheers,

Kelcey

On May 21, 2021, at 11:03 PM, imranindiana via groups.io <imranindiana@...> wrote:

?

Hi Brian,

Looks pretty good to me. What is the source of cylinders? I have not seen this type.

Imran

On May 21, 2021, at 5:54 PM, Brian Greene <Brian@...> wrote:

?I made this based on some inspiration here.

Bolts on with 1 bolt and I like it a lot better than the countermax. ?Maybe $70 In clamps and valve etc.

Sent from a device with less than stellar autocorrect

On May 21, 2021, at 4:54 PM, joelgelman via groups.io <joelgelman@...> wrote:

?

Imran, I thought the PanelCrafter was for the arches. ?

James, I looked up the Weaver, which seemed a bit different and made to work with their machinery and run in a slot. ?

As for Mac, I will alert him to this thread and maybe he will have some thoughts on a pneumatic airsled. ?Perhaps such a product would work well with router tables also.

Thanks!

<Video.MOV>

On May 21, 2021, at 4:54 PM, joelgelman via groups.io <joelgelman@...> wrote:

?

Imran, I thought the PanelCrafter was for the arches. ?

James, I looked up the Weaver, which seemed a bit different and made to work with their machinery and run in a slot. ?

As for Mac, I will alert him to this thread and maybe he will have some thoughts on a pneumatic airsled. ?Perhaps such a product would work well with router tables also.

Thanks!

On May 21, 2021, at 11:05 AM, Joe Jensen <joe.jensen@...> wrote:

Does brand matter?? I’d like to find one locally or from Grainger

?

From:?[email protected]?<[email protected]>?On Behalf Of?Brett Wissel
Sent:?Friday, May 21, 2021 8:24 AM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [FOG] Belt size request for 2017 F700Z

?

I believe metric belt pj559 cross references to us 220j6.??

?

On May 19, 2021, at 8:53 PM, scottgrossman via groups.io <scottgrossman@...> wrote:

?You will sell the A3-31 in a heartbeat. I sold mine to a FOGger .
/g/felderownersgroup/message/103077
But you can also list in Craigslist. You will get a LOT of serious inquiries.?
Felder will give you a quote for it, but they will also tell you that you'll do better selling it yourself. Their quote is a good baseline. If you look at my listing, I clearly sold too low as it was gone in two days, with one day just sorting through all the offers.