A Learning Adventure in the Workshop

Band Saw Box

Its been a few weeks since I've had time to woodwork, or post to my blog.   Work and other things have intervened.   

A few days ago I managed to glue-up a bunch of scrap mahogany pieces into a solid block that I am going to use to make my first band saw box.  This is a "just for fun" project.  I hope to begun cutting it this weekend.

Second attempt at a "raster-like" CNC photo-engraving

First off, CONGRATULATIONS STEELERS!!

Before the game, I took another crack at the "raster-like" CNC photo-engraving this weekend.  In my first attempt described in a previous post I got less than satisfactory results by using about a 30-degree angle V-bit in the CNC (engraving on right side of photo above).  There just wasn't enough change in width of the V-bit as it advanced deeper into the wood to show the carving relief needed to make the image visible.

For this second try, I used a 90-degree angle V-bit (made by Proxxon) because I couldn't find a 60-degree bit from my usual sources.  The 90-degree bit worked MUCH better and the image is very legible in the wood (engraving on left side of photo above).  I think some of the detail of the image was lost because a 90-degree bit is too wide for this application, but it was a big improvement.  It looks to me like 60-degrees would be perfect, but I can't find anyone yet that makes a 1/8" shaft bit with a 60-degree angle.  This is going to take some Internet research.