Both of these products provide a version of CAD software (more on that later) so you can draw what you want to cut. You do need a computer and a CAD (Computer-Assisted Design) program to run them. But before I get into the particulars of these machines, let me give you some background.Īs you would suspect, the CarveWright and the CNC Shark are much less sophisticated versions of those monstrous CNC (Computer Numeric Control) routers mentioned earlier, or even the down-sized ShopBot.
They are pretty easy to use, have many practical applications and are reasonably affordable. Both are categorized as visible-l-inline CNCs, because of their size and limited working area.
The other is the CNC Shark, made by Next Wave Automation and sold exclusively by Rockler ().Īs of 2009, the CarveWright costs about $1,900, the Shark about $2,400. One machine is the CarveWright, made by LHR Technologies (sold by Sears as the CompuCarve). Where both excel is in making signs and relief carvings. Either will mill a rough board smooth or texture a smooth board to make it rough. Neither can slice a plywood sheet into cabinet parts, but either can cut small parts - drawer fronts, for example, or door panels - complete with joinery cuts, profiling and decorative carving. Even home routers on today's market can create intricate and impressive carving projects with the aid of computer mapping programs.įor this feature, I’ve got a pair of CNC routers in my basement shop. So now, you can buy a turn-key package, bolt the parts together in an hour or so, load a program into your home computer and, by the end of the day, start doing some real CNC woodworking. They cost way more than top of-the-line router tables, but half what low-end ShopBots do. Then along came visible-l-inline CNC routers. The cost of even these smaller machines, though, was still out of my reach. Over time, however, I’ve found some manufacturers, notably ShopBot, making downsized machines. Of course, many of the machines were bigger than my shop and cost more than my house. Full sheets of plywood would slide in one end and cabinet parts - complete with joinery cuts, holes for shelving pins, pilots for mounting screws and even decorative grooving - would emerge on the other. Learn Woodworking Tips Expert Advice Project Ideas Classes & Events Free Plans Rockler Innovations New Products Gift GuideĪutomatic pattern routing has been a staple of big shops for a while, but as the process becomes easier, and cheaper, CNC routers are increasing their presence in home shops.Ībout seven years ago, I spent a few days at a big woodworking show in Atlanta, where I was mesmerized by the CNC machines.Let's Build Sale Sell Down Sale Outlet Shop All Deals Workshop Guide.Wood Carving Draw Knives & Adzes Wood Files & Rasps Scrapers & Burnishers Tool Sharpening.All Wood Domestic Lumber Exotic Lumber Plywood Dowel Rods Inlays Slabs.
0 kommentar(er)
