One day I was checking out a cool thing called the MakerBot, a 3D printer. It was really expensive and I wondered if there was anything cheaper. After rummaging around on the internet I ended up at a site called BuildYourCNC. It was then that I dove into the hobbyist world of homebuilt CNC machines.
To use a CNC machine, you also have to learn about CAD/CAM-Computer aided design, computer aided manufacturing. You know, that really cool software that shows complicated parts in 3D vector graphics on computer screens that people rotate in all directions.
The software is of course quite expensive too. There is alot of free stuff floating around on the internet, and some decent efforts by the open source community and folks trying to make a buck. One of the lowest cost, highest performing products is something called CamBam. You can buy it bundled with CutViewerMill which simulates a CNC machine and shows you on screen what the product will look like.
Using CamBam, you can design parts and cut them with precision. It is amazing how precise it can be even with a home built machine, down to thousands of an inch. Its kinda like using PhotoShop in that you have a lot of design tools. But you also define machining operations, directing how the cutting bit moves, cutting techniques, stopping to change cutting bits and more. This is all written into a text coded file called GCode.
Then I also got into doing 3D reliefs. By running grayscale images through the software, you can make 3D reliefs and boy is it detailed! I have several free apps that generate the GCode with varying degrees of success. After years of doing this type of stuff, I am still mesmerized by the machine magically carving things out.
Its great for making plaques, signs, furniture parts or anything else you can come up with. It takes woodworking to a whole new level and you get quite the reputation from folks who see the results.
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| CAD for the on/off switch | CAD for beveled pulley opening | Finished product | Jefferson Nickel |