puckotred Posted July 20, 2021 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2021 Hi folks Bought me a 3018 cnc/laser kit some weeks ago. just to have something to play around with... Then I vacuumed up the masts feet of my Royal Caroline, and made new ones with the laser module. Then this morning I discovered that you had to make the anchor bits (and some other stuff) from some plywood squares... So I did the Toolpaths in Fushion 360 and tried the cnc: Only problem was that I had the feed rate too high so the first 1mm bit broke but lowering the feedrate 50% fixed that... the machine: Old MacBook Air to operate it: It's now my favorite toy. Duanelaker, mtaylor, JeffT and 8 others 11 Quote Mr. Pucko Building: Royal Caroline - Panart Nuestra Senora del Pilar - Occre Bounty - Occre Titanic - Amati Endeavour - AL Santissima Trinidad cross section - Occre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin P. Posted July 20, 2021 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2021 I looked at this system as a way to produce relief carvings at scale for ship models. In the end I wasn't convinced I would get the fidelity I wanted and skipped the deep dive. I look forward to seeing what you can do with it! Ryland Craze, Canute, thibaultron and 3 others 6 Quote Current: US Brig SYREN - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 Completed: HMS TRITON - Cross Section - Scale 1:48 / Gallery Secret Vessel MOREL - Master Korabel - Scale 1:36 / Gallery 18th Century Armed Longboat - Model Shipways - Scale 1:24 / Gallery HMS BOUNTY Launch - Model Shipways - Scale 1:16 / Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckotred Posted August 14, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted August 14, 2021 As I continue throwing away parts of my build I had to make a new lasercarving for my Royal Caroline. The original wood was very porous I had some difficulties getting the same depth in this much harder veneer. (leftover from Amatis Titanic. Only one I could find with matching thickness). But after lots of testburns it finally went my way. This little machine has helped me a lot so far. Canute, Justin P., marktiedens and 2 others 5 Quote Mr. Pucko Building: Royal Caroline - Panart Nuestra Senora del Pilar - Occre Bounty - Occre Titanic - Amati Endeavour - AL Santissima Trinidad cross section - Occre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted August 14, 2021 Share #4 Posted August 14, 2021 You say CNC.. Is this a laser? Canute, thibaultron and mtaylor 3 Quote Luck is just another word for good preparation. —MICHAEL ROSE Current builds: Rattlesnake (Scratch From MS Plans On Hold: HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett ) In the Gallery: Yacht Mary, Gretel, French Cannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckotred Posted August 14, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted August 14, 2021 The spindle is interchangeable with a 7W diode laser module, so it's both... Justin P., wefalck, Duanelaker and 3 others 6 Quote Mr. Pucko Building: Royal Caroline - Panart Nuestra Senora del Pilar - Occre Bounty - Occre Titanic - Amati Endeavour - AL Santissima Trinidad cross section - Occre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookster Posted August 27, 2021 Share #6 Posted August 27, 2021 Hello Pucko, I'm thinking of getting one of these. Do you still like yours? thibaultron and Canute 2 Quote Wes Cook Current Build: USF Constitution (Model Shipways) USF Essex (Scratch build) MS Syren (build log lost, need to rebuild) Future Builds: MS Confederacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckotred Posted August 27, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted August 27, 2021 Hi cookster, I'm still very happy with the machine. Though the laser being a diode is not really strong enough to cut other than very thin plywood. The tuning of the laser can be tedious but once you get used to it it's no big deal. The cnc part of the machine works great for model ship building. One thing that is extremely useful is when I have to drill lots of holes for pinrails etc. Making the toolpath in Fushion360 is dead accurate. tell the program how many holes for certain lenght and it places them even so you don't have to do the math. I did all the pinrails for Royal Caroline in one go.... And the machine is good fun playing with. Making signs, laseretching my daughters pencils with her name etc. For me it is the best toy I've had for years. mtaylor, Canute and thibaultron 3 Quote Mr. Pucko Building: Royal Caroline - Panart Nuestra Senora del Pilar - Occre Bounty - Occre Titanic - Amati Endeavour - AL Santissima Trinidad cross section - Occre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookster Posted August 27, 2021 Share #8 Posted August 27, 2021 Thanks Pucko, I already ordered mine earlier today and will have soon, as a late birthday present to my self As far as the software, I've been using CAD and 3D software for 30yrs, so that part is no worries for me. I have a Sherline mill that I was going to convert to CNC, but that's over $1000 to do that. When I saw this CNC router, at that price, I had to get one to try. I've never used CAM software but I know what G-code is, so I just need to figure out what this machine needs. I use Solidworks, so I have the CAD side covered. I can't wait to make some stuff!! Thanks again for answering PS, I didn't get the laser, if I ever want to play with one I can add it later. Canute, thibaultron and mtaylor 3 Quote Wes Cook Current Build: USF Constitution (Model Shipways) USF Essex (Scratch build) MS Syren (build log lost, need to rebuild) Future Builds: MS Confederacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckotred Posted August 28, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted August 28, 2021 Any program that outputs G-code will do. Just remember the machine has no endswitches so always think of the boundaries. This is a good introduction to the 3018 thibaultron, mtaylor, Gregory and 1 other 4 Quote Mr. Pucko Building: Royal Caroline - Panart Nuestra Senora del Pilar - Occre Bounty - Occre Titanic - Amati Endeavour - AL Santissima Trinidad cross section - Occre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookster Posted August 30, 2021 Share #10 Posted August 30, 2021 Pucko, thanks for the link. I watched a few and will watch the rest. Good info! puckotred, Canute and mtaylor 3 Quote Wes Cook Current Build: USF Constitution (Model Shipways) USF Essex (Scratch build) MS Syren (build log lost, need to rebuild) Future Builds: MS Confederacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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