Wannabee Newbie

[jomani]

Hi Everyone.

I stumbled across Romaxx while searching for an upgrade for my CompuCarve machine – from what I have read the WD-1 is as good as it gets in this price range and size. I need to ramp up production to a level that my CompuCarve can’t handle. I know that a lot of people have nothing good to say about CarveWright/CompuCarve, but it introduced me to a whole new world I never knew existed.

My question for everyone – What is the best software package for doing 2-D wood plaques on the WD-1? I am trying to do my homework before buying this time (last time I saw it and just had to have it). The CarveWright software allows me to import a Jpeg image and easily create a pattern. I attached a photo of a rough cut of one of the plaques that I want to produce a hundred copies of.

Unfortunately, I have very little free time to learn a new software package (and a very tight budget). What will give me the most bang for my buck and still be somewhat easy to learn? I am trying to do this for a non-profit group that I am involved with (San Ramon Chapel Preservation Committee) using 135 year-old rough sawn redwood that was removed during a recent renovation. I want to maintain the rough surface, cracks, nail holes, etc. What other options should I consider?

Thanks in advance for any input.
Joe

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[jimwill52]

Nice work! I love the Vectric software. I use VCarve Pro and hope to upgrade to Aspire this year. There are a lot of folks who use Cut2D but it has limitations compared to VCarve. You can download any of Vectrics products to learn and practice with... but you can only cut the samples provides on your CNC. Cut2D is less than $200, VCarve Pro is around $600 and Aspire is close to $2K. Great company, good support, and a wonderful forum:

www.vectric.com/forum/

Vetric software:

www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/vcp/vcp_index.htm


Good luck, welcome!

[esteeme1]

Hi Joe,

I use Vectric Aspire as well and as Jim said it is an outstanding software package. There are several others packages you can look into. I also have Bobcad I don't particularly care for it though, it's a bit awkward to us and you have to pay for any support. Vectric offers an excellent support group and on-line tutorials, as well as the forum.

I don't own this software and I'm not endorsing it just letting you know it is available. Delcam is and American package which also offers a full 360 3D package vice just a 3D base package. www.artcam.com/ There is a forum as well although I don't think it's as active as the Vectric forum. I'm only suggesting you look at Delcam/artcam so get a second view.

I'm not sure which way I would go if I had to choose all over again. I know that Aspire is an outstanding program and it's been able to meet and exceed all my requirements. I only wish that they would expand their capability to full 360. For the most part the average modeler will not require that function.

Each company offers a trial version I would recommend using both of them and find out how comfortable you are with each.

Feel free to peruse my website most of the carvings were modeled by me using Aspire. www.esteemedwoodcrafts.com/

Edit: I should clarify, it is American based not strictly American

[jomani]

Thanks for the feedback. I installed the trial version of VCarve Pro over the weekend. While I didn't spend a lot of time with the program, I didn't see an option for importing a JPEG file. I did found an option for importing vector drawings, but don't currently have software to save my pictures in a vector format.

I added another picture - a different plaque that I am making from the same 135 year-old redwood. Anyone out there interested in helping me come up with files to create a plaque similar to these that will run on the WD-1? Below is a link to my web site if anyone is interested in getting more information about this chapel.

www.sanramonchapel.org

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[esteeme1]

You can import jpegs. In the upper left hand corner there is an Icon it looks like a folder with a little chicken it's called import bitmap for tracing.

[jomani]

Thanks - I did find that option.

Haven't figured out how to use it yet but I will keep playing...

[esteeme1]

Here is a link to the online tutorials for V Carve Pro. I'm sure you will find them most helpful. If you have any specific questions or need clarification I might be able to help you out.

www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/support/aspire3_vcp6/aspire3_vcp6_tutorials_tut.html

Hope this helps I just trying to teach you how to fish.

Jim

[jomani]

Thanks Jim-

From what I can gather after looking at all of the software options, I can either use Aspire which blows my budget or go with Photo VCarve and VCarve Pro - probably the route I will take.

Now to the actual machine. Other than size and speed, I am not sure what the differences between the HS-1 and WD-1 are. I will probably opt for the WD-1 - don't want to limit my future options. What about the MPG Handwheel and Closed Loop System? Will I kick myself later if I don't buy these?

[mattgatten]

I don't know about speed being a major difference. The HS-1 (smaller machine) will rapid faster than you want to cut with anything. And it probably doesn't even get up to full speed. (runs out of room fast).

I have been running without closed loop on my machines for several years. (Just added HS-1 (2)) to the gang in January.

I rarely used the MPG so I removed it and sold it.

As for reliability, I have no experience with the WD-1. I do know this. I ran HS-1 (#1) very hard for 14 months straight. Finally, some bearings seized (they didn't lube them as good in the early days). After a quick order from Ron, I was back in business. That is until the X stepper decided to die. None of these were Ron or Romaxx's fault. It was simply these components were 'worn out'. With that, I must be getting close to 1000 hours on the first one and I'm rapidly approaching 500 on the 2nd. No signs of stopping. They will get you 'down the road' easily, and then some.

The only thing you will limit yourself on by getting an HS-1 will be axis travel, I suspect. Maybe some small accuracy differences. In wood for signs and plaques, I don't think you would notice. I have to mill plastic to tolerances in the .01-.02 range and the HS-1 more than meets that challenge.

Get a collet from Precise Bits, use a modern Porter Cable router (or get a real spindle), a good dust collector (1hp minimum for a single machine w/ 3-4 foot run of hose), and order a dust shoe from Ron.

I think setting up a new one cost me about 3K total, with everything I need.

[jomani]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I sent Ron a check today - WD-1, MPG, Vacfoot dust collector, Mach 3, VCarve Pro and Photo VCarve - no more wannabe, now just a newbie...

[jomani]

Just a follow-up.

I finally reached the production point for my plaques. It took me a while to get Photo Vcarve and Vcarve Pro to do what I wanted, but I am finally satisfied with the results. It takes me about 3 hours to complete each plaque - 3 bit changes so I do them in batches of 10. Should have all 100 done in less than 2 months.

Thanks to everyone who offered feedback...

Joe

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