Post by jmattison on Jan 21, 2016 10:57:39 GMT -5
Good Morning (or whenever you read this) Everyone!
After a good amount of hours/days researching in the background via the SawMillCreek and CNCZone forums, I think I've made the decision to purchase a Romaxx, the WD model. I don't have time to do a DIY and I really don't care to spend time researching Chinese routers and having to diagnose all the issues myself -- I need more out of the box performance to get rolling on a certain product, hence my ending up with Romaxx!
However, I've got some somewhat unanswered questions that I'd like to verify, if anyone has insight:
1. Wood Cutouts: Working with sheets of wood, probably 1/2" to 3/4", I'd like to cut out circles that have 4 to 6 notches protruding. For example, these finger-like protrusions will hold the contents being placed in the cut-out circle shape. Think of the cutout as a gear shape, but with only 4 to 6 gear teeth notches instead of 20. Would I be able to procure a bit small enough to make these gear-shaped cutouts that fit into routers/spindles?
2. Router vs. Spindle: My venture into the CNC world comes from some rotary engraving and some laser engraving, so I'm only familiar with spindles, and smaller ones than what I've seen in the CNC world. Given that I'd like to both do small cutouts as well as larger wood cutouts, would I be better off getting a spindle instead of a router? I'd rather use a router, but are they "solid" enough to accept small bits that one would typically use with a rotary engraver for smaller detail work? I have the impression that a router is for larger work vs. a spindle for finer detail -- kinda like a sawzall vs. a scalpel? What lead me away from a rotary engraver is that I need to do larger wood working, but I also have the need for finer detail, but I'm confused whether a Dewalt or Portercable can do the same work as a spindle.
3. Glass? Can I do any glass work? I realize that I won't be able to water-cool the surface of the glass like I would with a rotary engraver without some substantial outfitting, but could I do light glass engraving using a lubricant with the Romaxx machines? Again, would a router not be capable vs. using a spindle?
4. Small metal engraving (jewelry): Finally, it would be great if I could do some small letter engraving on jewelry (i.e. bracelets). Is this totally out of the question with a CNC router and can I only use an engraver setup?
Much thanks in advance!
James
After a good amount of hours/days researching in the background via the SawMillCreek and CNCZone forums, I think I've made the decision to purchase a Romaxx, the WD model. I don't have time to do a DIY and I really don't care to spend time researching Chinese routers and having to diagnose all the issues myself -- I need more out of the box performance to get rolling on a certain product, hence my ending up with Romaxx!
However, I've got some somewhat unanswered questions that I'd like to verify, if anyone has insight:
1. Wood Cutouts: Working with sheets of wood, probably 1/2" to 3/4", I'd like to cut out circles that have 4 to 6 notches protruding. For example, these finger-like protrusions will hold the contents being placed in the cut-out circle shape. Think of the cutout as a gear shape, but with only 4 to 6 gear teeth notches instead of 20. Would I be able to procure a bit small enough to make these gear-shaped cutouts that fit into routers/spindles?
2. Router vs. Spindle: My venture into the CNC world comes from some rotary engraving and some laser engraving, so I'm only familiar with spindles, and smaller ones than what I've seen in the CNC world. Given that I'd like to both do small cutouts as well as larger wood cutouts, would I be better off getting a spindle instead of a router? I'd rather use a router, but are they "solid" enough to accept small bits that one would typically use with a rotary engraver for smaller detail work? I have the impression that a router is for larger work vs. a spindle for finer detail -- kinda like a sawzall vs. a scalpel? What lead me away from a rotary engraver is that I need to do larger wood working, but I also have the need for finer detail, but I'm confused whether a Dewalt or Portercable can do the same work as a spindle.
3. Glass? Can I do any glass work? I realize that I won't be able to water-cool the surface of the glass like I would with a rotary engraver without some substantial outfitting, but could I do light glass engraving using a lubricant with the Romaxx machines? Again, would a router not be capable vs. using a spindle?
4. Small metal engraving (jewelry): Finally, it would be great if I could do some small letter engraving on jewelry (i.e. bracelets). Is this totally out of the question with a CNC router and can I only use an engraver setup?
Much thanks in advance!
James
