[John Kleinbauer]

Gang,
I sell plans for making cheap homemade CNC machines. I am getting alot of Emails asking about cutting out Lures using a CNC machine. If you go over to one of the RC groups you will see I helped people understand how to build a CNC machine and cut out RC planes. I did this because my mailbox was getting loaded with people asking if it could be done. Now there are lots of people cutting out Balsa planes with CNC.
So in order to help out I will answer some basic CNC questions here.
Please keep each message to one question. I am not here to sell plans I am here to connect the hobby of CNC to Lure making. I never made a Lure using my CNC machine. But I have made Lures out of quarters in my younger days. I know what a lure is and I know just how much work is involved to make one. Ask away.

John Conrad Kleinbauer

[Tally]

John- I am quite dumb on this topic, but just how could your machine plans help me produce a lure off of one I have already carved?
Thanks
Tally

[John Kleinbauer]

Originally Posted by Tally

John- I am quite dumb on this topic, but just how could your machine plans help me produce a lure off of one I have already carved?
Thanks
Tally

Tally,
CNC requires you to draw the part in CAD. If someones hands you a Lure you would have to draw it up and create several drawings in CAD.

You could make the Lure in two halves. Cutting out the Lure as a one piece 3D shape requires expensive software and a expensive machine. Lures can be made like I said in two halfs with a Homemade machine. CNC is really for production of a part. CNC is a hobby in itself. If you took the time to learn CNC and draw the drawing and put it towards just making the Lures, you would have alot of Lures for sale. I have been in this field for 4 years. Some people are over selling CNC. CNC is a time saver in certain cases.

John

[redg8r]

Hi John,
I posted a link to your site earlier for those interested in getting into homebrew CNC, that may be where the emails come from ops: . Ive been a fan of your site for some time now & your clients have made some great looking machines.

We have a few members who use professional machinery, but one in particular has built one from a kit MAXCNC (I think). anyway he machines his lure bodies in 2 parts from urethane foam block.

As to my question.... I notice you have designed a "4th Axis" bolt-on for one of your machine designs. how well would you think that would work for making 1 piece wooden baits?

Ive been working on & off for a few years now trying to make a homebrewed duplicating machine from affordable & easy to aquire parts.
I gotta admit some of the references from your site inspired me quite a bit even though the machine I vision wont be using any computer controllers.
I'll be sharing what Ive come up with in this forum shortly, your free to critique it when you find time.

take care,
redg8r

[John Kleinbauer]

redg8r,
The problem with a Forth axis is software. Ideally you want to draw something and have the software do the rest. There is no cheap 4 axis software out there.
TurboCNC will run 4 motors but you need the software to convert the 3D drawing to GCode that will run the 4 motors. My forth axis was designed to be cheap simple and easy to build. To run run it you need to write the GCode using a text editor or Edit a existing GCode.
Cutting out the Lures as two halfs is the way to go. Putting a hop and skip in the cut will keep the part in place while it is being cut. This leaves tabs on the part. The part is than cut free with a razor knife.

For more info on building a simple CNC machine read this thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...20&page=1&pp=1

For more info relating to Lure cutting ask right here!


Thanks for the plug


John

[trick trout]

i was wondering if any of you could give me an esitmated guess on how much the plans would cost????

[John Kleinbauer]

An estimate of the cost of the plan? Most plans are $36 Most machines can be built for under $150 not counting motors or controllers and software.

[funny farm]

Hummm . Ever heard of a cnc milling machine called Inca ? And if yes how are they ? I have seen it but its my friends and I finally got him to sell it to me . All I know its 7 1/2 feet tall , 5 or so feet wide and 900 pounds , any one in VA area want to help move this ?

[funny farm]

Oh . He doesnt have the cnc controls i need I have to but those when I get the milling machine , I saw in the catalog the controls alone are like 5,000 and up . I didnt notice if they came with software , any recomand ations ? I want good soft ware for 3d or I guess 4th axis . I am taking CNC at college this summer before I try to "figure" the thing out myself .

[John Kleinbauer]

Funny,
Stay clear of an older CNC machine. Just moving them can be big money. Start small and do lots of reading. Many people have a Bridgeport sitting in the garage or cellar waiting for someday! CNC is much harder
than learning computers.
John