You need to either go to a cnc shop or go over to u-tube and watch some videos, curves are not a problem with cnc, esp if they are symmetrical, you are over thinking what you will need. Linear thought is hard get out of when you do cnc work at first, i am not a machinist(I am a millwright) but I was trained in cnc equipment I had the same problem. Its just like some one who can cut a cone or half sphere on a mill, albeit easier on a lathe they can be done on a cnc mill also. With a 5 axis mill you can cut a whole ball handle if you are good at programing.
Also you can use modified lathe tools to cut wood on the tool post, they don't last long but it does work, carbide would be the obvious choice here. Metal lathing you don't change your tool angle, you either grind it or change it on a QCTP there are some general form tools you use too. The older lantern style posts allow more freedom but also were a bugger to adjust to center, if you are not your cut will look like you have wood in the chuck....
I don't want to talk you out of CNC, you can still do it, its sounds like you need to do some more research though. When I did my research on the lathe, after about 3 times what I had money to spend on, i decided the mill would be a better alternative, of course my mill never made it home, I bought a model steam engine in trade plus the 9x20 lathe. So i am back to ground zero on cnc for the moment.
Like I said I don't recommend doing wood, I personally spent about 3 hours cleaning my 9x20 when I got it, the first owner only used it for wood, the second cleaned it some, but it still had a long way to go when I got ahold of it. It also sounds like you should investigate a ganrty router this might do what you want also.
chris  |