Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

[Tim K]

Some here know I own a small cabinet shop. Last week, we took delivery of the coolest tool I've ever seen. It's a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router. It's a 3 axis machine which means it will cut in all three dimensions. We use it to cut cabinet parts, but other businesses use them to make carved signs, orthotic inserts, rifle stocks, etc. If you're familliar with milling machines, this is basically a 4' X 8' CNC mill.

We ran our first job on it yesterday (a small kitchen) and it did what used to take us about 50 hours in 4. Yahoo. Needless to say, prices are going down and profit margins are going up!

It's pretty cool to watch, so I posted a video of it running a sheet on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEoIKtA8zlA

One of the more amazing aspects is the way the material is held down to the work table. In the vid, you'll see a 15hp vacuum pump that is used to suck the work piece down to the table. The amazing thing is that the vacuum is pulled straight through a 3/4" thick piece of MDF. No holes, no nuthin. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Once we get basic operation down, I'll be graduating to goofy hobby projects on the weekends. Ought to be fun.

[birchyboy]

Nice!

[WolFeYeZ]

Dang, that thing is pretty sweet!

[ChrisCBX]

Wow, what a machine.

I never cease to be amazed by what modern high tech can do.

[rybo]

Cool,

Auto loading tools too!

Nice machine Tim!

-Scott

[OUTLAWD]

[Captain Obvious]

Getting an error on the video.

But very cool on the new toy/tool.

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

wow...amazing! looks like you have a very nice shop!

[Ricky]

That's awesome. That thing must have been expensive. At least $500, lol.

[usmcab35]

sweet! now you can make a wood motorcycle in your spare time lol

[Tim K]

sweet! now you can make a wood motorcycle in your spare time lol

Maybe not motorcycle parts, but I will surely be making rifle stocks. It'll cut plastic and even aluminum (though I won't contaminate my dust collection system with aluminum), so the possible fun uses are about endless.

[Kim-n-Dean]

What software are you using to create your g-code?

[usmcab35]

no i wasnt taking parts i mean a whole motorcycle lol i saw one one pawn stars that someone made, pretty cool, just dont know what you would really do with it..

[Tim K]

What software are you using to create your g-code?

The cabinet design software does the CAM side, too. Cabinetware by Planit is the product we're using. As I understand it, it uses an integrated version of Alpha Cad.

[Kim-n-Dean]

The cabinet design software does the CAM side, too. Cabinetware by Planit is the product we're using. As I understand it, it uses an integrated version of Alpha Cad.

That's what I was wondering. If it was some 'cabinet industry' specific software.

I've been hunting for easy to use, continuous 4th axis CAM software ever since I bought my mill. MasterCAM seems to be the most popular, but it's a pain to use. BobCAD-CAM has some pretty cool automatic features, but still is a pain to use. RamsGold was the shit!! Totally automatic. Literally, point to the area you want to machine and chose a tool and it creates all the code automatically. I didn't want to lay down the $1,100 for it and now they no longer sell to the end user. It only come prepackaged with mills and lathes. Sure wish I could find a copy out there somewhere!!

[modette99]

..

[Tim K]

So you do cabinets huh!!! Would that be any type like custom kitchen stuff as well??? Maybe PM me so I can have your info on hand. We do plan to put all new cabinets in the kitchen and master bath down the road. We have looked at Home Depot a few times...I know my parents got custom cabinets in TN for their house...they said it was not really anymore then buying from Home Depot...but the guy was local and did the install too and used very good wood throughout the build vs just facing it with nice stuff.

I like to support local places....right now I am changing out Windows so I'm hoping Cabinets will be next years home project. I like to do a few home upgrades a year.

A PM is on the way, but the short version is that we are a custom shop, but we generally beat any of the big box places pretty badly. In essence, buying direct from the maker eliminates the middle man (Home Depot) and cross country shipping.

Look here www.timkulincabinetry.com to see what we do.