[YosemiteSam]

What does CNC stand for?

[Tm Customs]

Hey FF if you want to try out some software just download it from Limewire thats what I did, I was going to design some worms and get Bob to make them for me on his CNC, I got way ahead of myself its too hard for me without help. You should just download some some different software and see which one you like best then buy a legal copy of it.
Tm

[John Kleinbauer]

CNC means Computer Numeric Control. It boils down to a milling machine or router is controlled by a computer.

[redg8r]

Whats your opinion on a homebrewed cnc lathe setup for our (luremakers) application?

Seems to me that a CNC lathe type of device would be more appropriate for 360 machining.

Of course the spindle rotation would have to be a low RPM to let the (powered) cutting tool to do the work.

Do you know if cnc lathe software would allow for asymmetrical cuts?
(likely not huh)

Thanks for sharing

[John Kleinbauer]

A lathe makes round parts. A mill can do other shapes including round.

[funny farm]

Start small ? I have been asking around to a few machinist I have meet and asked about the table top CNCs that are like 3-5,000 dollars . They all said once I got good or used to them and started heavier projects and more production these would be useless as they are only for the "hobbiest" and would be pressed trying to run all day 5 days a week . I dont know , this is what I have heard . What do you think of these ? I need one that will last and relize it will cost . The smaller ones look cool but they only did up to like 12 inches or so , I need at least 24 inches . Would the small ones cut out plastic lure bodies quickly ? any help would be great as I am about to "dump" 20,000 in machinery .

[John Kleinbauer]

Start small and cheap. See if CNC is for you. Having an expensive machine that you don't know how to operate is very common You could start off by downloading the FREE version of TurboCAD and see if you can draw what you want in CAD. Just drawing an outline of a fish in CAD is hard. There are ways to draw and scan and then put the drawing Corel clean it up and then save as a DXF. Most people run out and buy expensive motor systems. That is backwards. You should decide what you want to do with the machine and then build from the cutter out. A Taig or Sherline would do about six lures at a time. I would design the lure in two halfs. You will find 3D drawing programs expensive and hard to use. The time required to learn CAD and do CNC programming could be used to make tons of lures.

[WaterWerx]

What do you think of Smithy Machines? I've been looking at one for a while but don't know anyone who has one. It could help out with one of my other hobbies as well...

I'm looking at the Smithy Midas 1220LTD but it's not CNC, could I adapt this machine to CNC with your plans?
The particular machine I'm looking at can be seen
HERE

Thanks

[AlamOso]

I have to agree with John Kleinbauer about getting started with CNC's.

I would recommend getting a packaged deal, even if it were a bench top machine like MaxNC. Use it as your trainer and for prototyping. When you are ready for production - then spend the big bucks on a machine that can handle the abuse.

This way, you will have two machines running - one for production and one for prototyping, R&D, or another small operation in your process (like cutting a lip slot or eye socket).

[Fireball Lures]

I finally have almost finished my home built converted cnc mill, it is a small machine which I bought and converted to a cnc machine using Xylotex drivers and stepper motors. It wasn't too bad of a conversion and I plan on building a cnc router from scratch next and it will be a larger footprint machine capable of doing more than what I currently have. There are many cnc forums to help any of you guys build your own machine if you would like any info I would be glad to help out. The 4 axis software I believe you can run Mach2 if I'm not mistaken it can run 6 axis.

Nathan