Planning for the workshop

I know that some of the people who will attend my first workshop will have little to no experience with a cnc machine.  I also know that I have come to focus on about 70% of the capabilities of the CarveWright.  I decided that to make the class something special for those taking at as well as myself, I need to be prepared to show them 100% of the advertised capabilities and then a dizzying assortment of things I've figured out how to do on my own.  It's an opportunity to really dig a little more under the hood of the CarveWright and to see just how far I can push certain capabilities.
I'm very aware that the folks at CarveWright have a massive amount of work in place for future software revisions that will do even more than some would imagine.  I look forward to it! But in the meantime, how can certain tasks be accomplished?
3D lettering is something that I think deserves a great deal of attention...is there a way to get cool 3D letters using only Designer? What about secondary applications? Can I make something and import it to be used in the CarveWright? The short answer? Yes.

I am exploring ways to make all kinds of 3D letters and this is just one of the things I'll cover in the class.  It's not hard and it brings a whole new look to your CarveWright pieces....
I know because I've done it already!  The secondary edge on most of these letters is very easy to set up in Designer and adds even more dimension to your pieces!

 

It's Time For A Carvetastic Creations Workshop!

I made a presentation at the CarveWright conference last year. CarveWright is the awesome little cnc machine from LHR technologies that was really the launch of this whole adventure for me.  I spent some time talking about how I use the machine, some ways I get it to do what I want, and some of the materials and finishing methods I use.
I was asked by fairly large number of attendees if I ever planned on doing my own workshop.  Well, the time has come!  I believe I can easily fill 3 days with a large amount of information about how I'm using the machine to make the fantastic creations I offer.
I plan to discuss how I use the Designer application provided by CarveWright, jigs for holding and not wasting material, types of material I carve and prefer, creating vectored images for CarveWright's Centerline application, Importing and slicing STL files in Designer, Planning and creating carves larger than the standard 14" limit, lithopanes, a bit about finishing and much much more.

I'll be limiting this first class to 8 people so that I can provide lots of personal attention, and I want to be certain we have enough room for everyone!  I think it's going to be a great deal of fun and I look forward to showing that this little cnc machine is capable of so much more than most believed possible!

It's Just Good Cents.

At one time, I was using expensive paint containers to mix paints...but in many instances, I don't need a large amount.  I bought some small mixing trays, and quickly discovered I was spending a huge amount of time cleaning them. One option was to purchase some kind of disposable containers (dixie cups for instance).
Instead, I looked at the recycle bin and quickly discovered a variety of great containers.  All free!  Why not recycle them myself and save money and keep these containers in use a little longer?  Now I go through our recycle bin and pull anything that might be of use. 

I am certainly not the most "green" person (ask any of my friends), but I'm happy to have found a way to contribute in my shop.
I also avoid chemicals and primarily use water based products that are designed to last equally as well as those with heavy chemicals.  The cleanup is easier, the odor is not there, and again, I get to do a little more to keep toxic chemicals out of the environment.
I think it just makes good cents.

Lithopane box with LED lighting!

I've been working on a "memory box" for a friend's sister.  The box is a place for her to store pictures and other items from her father.  My friend brought some wood (cherry) that he asked me to use.  As we talked about ideas for the box, I asked him if he'd seen any of the lithopanes that can be carved from photographs.  We decided that it would be great to incorporate a photo of his sister with their father on the lid.  I thought, at first, about using an LED puck light, but then had another idea....

First, a square was carved into the back of the lid to hold the lithopane. The a circle was carved from the other direction to fit the photo he selected.

He asked that a portion of a favorite poem be included on the lid, and some minor changes to the wording for the inside.  The text was then carved into the front.

The lithopane was carved next.  This involves converting the photo into a greyscale, and setting up a carve that goes only about 1/8" into the material. This material is Corian (the material they sometimes use to make counter tops.  Without lighting, it is just a textured piece of material...

The lithopane is set into the square recess carved into the back, and an additional 1/4" piece of material with a hole prepared in the middle is added. This acts as a locater for the sides of the box, and as a place to attach the LED lights.

Now the LED light strip is attached inside the perimeter of the circle. I've cut a notch into the wood so that the cord can be directed out the back of the lid. I'll add a hole to the sides of the box lid to accomodate the cord.

A quick test of the light to make sure it's working...

This is the top of the lid.  It's difficult to light this so that the lithopane and the box lid can both be seen, but this conveys the idea.

Now on to the sides and assembly!  I'll stain the box before I finally attach the LED and lithopane.  I'll also give access through the rear of the lid should the light ever need to be replaced!

I then made an inner tray to hold pictures and other important items...and carved the remainder of the modified lyrics for the inside lid.  Here it is all finished...delivered today.  I was very honored to have been asked to make something like this, and hope it will remain a special item for the family.
I think we pass a little of ourselves on when we make things, and I thought about the relationship I have with my own daughter as I worked on this.  I love my family and I love what I'm doing.  I have a feeling I have that in common with Mr. Howard.
It's clear to me that with or without this box, the memories will last a lifetime.  My very best wishes go out to the entire family.

A local bar is making a move to a new location.  The owner has asked me to work on a long sign for the building...40' feet long.  I've had a great time talking to him about what he plans to do, and what kind of sign will work for him at this location.  I began with some early sketches:

Over the course of several days, the owner and I started making some changes to fit with his theme.  We got closer with this:

We both felt the lettering style needed to be different and other changes were in order as well.  There are designers and sign people who dislike this process. I actually enjoy it.  The customer and I are negotiating a combination of my vision, and their own.  I look forward to the collaboration and know that the end result will be something the client loves.  I spent some time this afternoon and have put together a new version for him to review.  It's a combination of several changes he's asked for, and some changes I wanted to incorporate as well.  We're close enough that I'm adding color.

At 40 feet long, the top version for the building will be much more like a mural than a sign.  I'm looking forward to it!