All Things Related To Camaster

mcgrew woodwork owns a camaster 4x8 built in 2000 sold to a sign maker in bowling green tenn. purchased and upgraded in dec and jan 07-08 by bill glenn www.camaster.com to wincnc from a dos controller.

i have ordered another machine from bill

www.mcgrewwoodwork.com

here is video from my shop, kieth g and camaster shop in layfayette ga.

jim

YouTube - sign foam wincnc

i will be getting 4rth axis on new machine, bill developed this years ago, he certainly is not the first or only one to do this but he sure made it affordable and possible for me to understand it. jim

We are working on a package with Bill Glenn for the above machine. So far this is what we are looking at"

4x8 Table
15hp vac
Dust skirt
96" rotary lathe
5 hp HSD Spindle
Tool Changer
Digitizer probe
Larger servo motors on all axis


And for software, after much consideration we are looking at changing from KCDW to Cabinetpro cnc, which in my estimation is just as capable or more capable than KCDW at a much lower price.

Other software that we are looking at is Rhino for doing the 4th axis work plus RhinoArt for signs, reliefs etc. I downloaded the demo for everything late last night and hope to get some time with it between the customer drawings I have to get done today,my daughters piano recital and the Super Bowl.

One question I have is whether the basic Rhino with the 4th axis add on is sufficient for columns, Newel posts etc or whether the extra features in RhinoCam Pro is the way to go. Soooo confusing.


Jim

Is this package close to what you have coming or did you go a different way?

Jim

What cabinet package are you going to be running?

Jim
Are you primarily building Frameless cabinets or Framed/inset etc?

Looks like you guys are getting a nice set up from Camaster.

On the subject of software do you have a trial version of KCDW? I was under the impression that CabinetPartsPro is aimed at the frameless cabinet and it looks like KCDW will do both.

I’ll be watching to see which you ultimately decide on and hope to get a report after your up and running.

Looks like you guys are getting a nice set up from Camaster.

On the subject of software do you have a trial version of KCDW? I was under the impression that CabinetPartsPro is aimed at the frameless cabinet and it looks like KCDW will do both.

I’ll be watching to see which you ultimately decide on and hope to get a report after your up and running.

Actually it is CabinetPro not cabinetPartsPro that I am looking at. Jim might be looking at CPP.

http://www.cabinetpro.com/

I have been using the design version of KCDW for about 6 yearsnow. But when going to the CNC linker it is an 8000 dollar upgrade. KCDW will do both frameless and frame cabinetry but is geared towards modular and stock cabinets with very little flexibility to do custom stuff unless custom means an inch shorter or shallower.

I was leaning towards CabinetVision but decided that getting the router and getting proficient at CV might be a bit much all at the same time and after seeing Cabinepro I think it has all of the capability of KCDW at a lower price so we are going to give it a run and hopefully we can make do with it.

Hello All !
Godwin Cabinet Shop has a 4 X 8 Camaster with a vaccum table and a 5hp Colombo spindle. We use Cabinet Pro, Cabinet Vision Solid and Win CNC software. Hopefully, soon we'll add V-Carve Pro to that ! I purchased my machine in October , 2006. Love it!!
Keith

I’m going to develop my own and call it Cabpropartsvcarvebobrinodrawkcdvisionautomachcamfishmillmastersolid v1.0002

It won’t do anything you want it to without purchasing a plug-in for $8000 and those will only allow you to link to my site where you have to purchase upgrades for the original v1.0 to start the cycle over. Our support staff is going to be on a beach somewhere with no Internet or phone available so don’t even bother asking for help.

I’ll only have to sell a few.

That sounds dangerously close to Cabinet Vision ! :rainfro:

i am still out on what vaccum motor i'll use as i am learning more all the time
bill is fabricating my table in the original quote, i am learning though that i know i want 8 zones not 4 and i may consider going for the t solt aluminum with vaccum holes as i am learning about how easy it could be to just clamp some carvings.

i laid out my software already, but will purchase cabinetpro, i sat down at kieths shop and laid out cabinets in 10 minutes on it and have no doubt it will do what i want, i must say when i got an intensive library wall or theater,
for the most part i lay it all outy in scale with cabnetware then take it to a board and hand draw the rest of the details.

i do have cabinet parts pro and will use it for the melamine casework guys
but i will switch to cabinetpro full time eventually,

dudes it is commercial time oop's i mean super bowl back in a bit jim

to cabinetpro is john branham our local rep and bill have a great working relationship and have worked wincnc and the program toghether,

jim
lets watch cheerleaders

oh i mean

lets play football

Great to see a CAMaster Thread!

Thanks,

Joey

www.camaster.com

jim

had some success with cabinetpartspro today video in a few minutes jim

YouTube - camaster.cnc.mcgrewwoodwork


YouTube - mcgrewwoodwork,cabinetpartspro, wincnc

How many passes did you do that in? How did the drill cycle work? Did you change cutters or use the same one for all?
Man I'd look like a puppy with a new chew toy standing by that thing...all over the place.

two passes

1/4" bit
drill shelve holes
dado back
then cut out

learned more about vaccum today and will probably buy more tommorrow

gotta quote a restraunt tommorow feel free to call after jim

Jim

What are the specs on that machine?

Spindle hp
Servo or Stepper
Does it have vac or are you screwing it down?

i bought used in ky. it is 4x8 1/2 steppers w/ 5hp vaccum and 5.5 hp spindle

we are getting hybrids when compared to this. but as of today we are cutting cabinets.

this machine was built in 2000 for a sign company 1/4 sheet goods

jim

i got more video when i try to email it i get error message from msn,

will try to email long vid tommorrow

think i'll but new laptop tommorrow jim

manana jim

YouTube - Woodcarving


this guy wants a cnc

YouTube - An insane woodcarver brandishes sharp tools!

maybe someday
YouTube - Wood Sculpture Gallery Carving Fine Wooden Masterworks

by another camaster owner in nc
jim

George has taken the bull by the horns and ran. this is great stuff. your right the more people we have like KG, George, & your self. skys the limit.

I talked to Boss man and he is going to do the files tonight.

Joey:cheers:

cabinet pro tommorrow in am sold my 20/20 today and can spend that on new software, robert is now got the bug and is looking for a laptop for writing files at home

wilmington george, cut to the bone how we coming on win cnc screens jim

Jim I am having issues with my demo version of Win CNC. I sent you some files to see if they work on a working machine.

if anyone wants the .tap files for these to try I can send them to you.

Bill I hope you don't mind that I did the Camaster logo but I figured this is the camaster post so it is promoting your machine. Later

looks good jim will run it soon and photo jim

I'm not 100% sure about all the different settings when I am applying the tool paths to these. tell me if the tools, plunge rate, cut depth, spindel RPM, feed rates are about right. If I am off on these settings let me know. I can sent the v carve file also so you can adjust the feed rates and such.

I will learn more once I have my machine here and I can see what it does in real life. now I am just running simulations.

anyone know how to get good wood grain textures? I seem to only get rocks>>>or something that resembles rocks:confused:

http://www.iscsupply.com/id158.html


is a company that specializes in it IDEAS!!

http://www.interlam-design.com/

http://www.iscsupply.com/id158.html


is a company that specializes in it IDEAS!!

Those are both great sites but what I was wondering is there a Plug-in or add on for V0Carve that I can import textures like wood grain into it? those companies make boards they don't sell there texture files.


I have been playing around with the texture tool in v-carve but can't seem to do much with it.

way back on the excitech thread there was i believe a post from (might be) gerry about the texturing, in the v carve help file there is a section way down at the bottom jim

Jim I am having issues with my demo version of Win CNC. I sent you some files to see if they work on a working machine.

if anyone wants the .tap files for these to try I can send them to you.

Bill I hope you don't mind that I did the Camaster logo but I figured this is the camaster post so it is promoting your machine. Later

The signs look good i know bill does not care and i would like to have a copy of the code.

Joey

The signs look good i know bill does not care and i would like to have a copy of the code.

Joey


Jim is going to cut them and see if there is any problems with the files. If you are in contact with jim VIA e-mail. he has them and can forward them to you or pm me with your e-mail and I can send them.

i will try to run files today if you would send me the .crv so i can check bits and depth, joey sign files ran great, thanks to you and bill i have seen the photos of the touch screen jim

Jim I sent the .cvr file to your e-mail.

any tips on the settings would be appreciated. I guess I did not even really set up the tools I just used what vcarve has as default.

Rapid trans...

Plunge rate...

RPM...

feed rate...

pass depth...

stepover... %

does anyone have the fourmula for figuring out the chip rate to get the speed? it is something like rpm/number of flutes x bit size or something.

gerry posted this a while back save it

https://www.onsrud.com/xdoc/FeedSpeeds

gotta run to charlotte back soon jim

anyone know how to get good wood grain textures? I seem to only get rocks>>>or something that resembles rocks:confused:

There's a thread on Vectric's forum about different texture settings, but I don't really think you'll be able to get a wood looking texture from VCarve Pro.

was it you that posted sometime ago that you had done this for a job (the texture files) jim

There's a thread on Vectric's forum about different texture settings, but I don't really think you'll be able to get a wood looking texture from VCarve Pro.

I supose I have to drop 6 grand for enroute then ah.

i got a post from some one asking about IWF so i thought id post my experience for those who may be going for the first time!! prepare for all you know to be expanded. i went to my first iwf in 96 and tried to see it in one day on the last day, it is impossible!! i was so dissapointed and i had to wait two years for the next one, yes i went to greensboro and the woodworking shows in charlotte nc, but they just dont come close to iwf, if it is your first show try to go for at least two days, after seeing it once or twice i breeze by most of it, but the first time it's a lot to see.

i am sure there are others who will post on IWF experiences as it is a must see if you are in one of many trades beginning with woodworking.

there are three major worldwide shows IWF. in even # years, LAS VEGAS in odd# years and LIGNA in germany. all of the major machinery, woodworking supplies and lots of crossover trade is on display and running all compenents, parts and materials as well, prepare to buy bits blades. but most of all come to learn and make contacts that will benifit you, if you have or purchase software there is lots of time with the companies and thier techs face to face. i always take my guys as after we return there is improvements in our shop as they get to see how things work, this year i will stay four days the guys will probably come for one. i intend to help bill with the router some and enjoy atlanta ( bill does not know it yet but i would like to stick my harley in the booth "good for chicks and photographs") bill will be back from fla this week he has had to stay an extra few days as some guys from ft lauderdale came to see machines and he has finished tool changer machine in st augustine

he has helped me with sign files at night. now that we are really using the machine i am begining to feel the angst for the tool changer, on the first machine i did not think i would need it but now i know, this machine i have now will be consigned to cutting cabinet parts.

i have only missed one iwf since 96

http://www.iwf2006.com/

this is one of my favorite parts of the show it is interesting to see what a student can do

http://www.iwf2006.com/DesignEmphasis/2006DesignEmphasisWinners/tabid/380/Default.aspx

jim

was it you that posted sometime ago that you had done this for a job (the texture files) jim

This?
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11996

kinda like that I was going for a sandblasted wood look. Wood Veins

http://www.signblasters.com/images/sand%20blasted%202006/boxer%20hs%20sign.JPG

You might be able to do something like that with VCarve. I thought you wanted a realistic woodgrain texture.

The biggest, cheapest, coolest mindblowing experience that I have ever had. I think my first time was in 1986 because we bought Cabinet Vision in 1990. We'd been eyeing it for some time. Don't get me wrong, it's an expensive trip dollar wise but the educational value is priceless. We have never come away from an IWF without something to improve our shop. Sometimes it's equipment and sometimes it's knowledge. Plan on staying for at least several days or you'll never see it all. Sit down and map out the vendors that you know you want to see and visit them first. Then GRAZE !!!
It's easy to get hung up on something that is really amazing to watch but has no value to you or your business. Move on! Most of all, have fun!

Jim McGrew ...... what can I say ? THANKS!!
Keith

Ok, I already posted this on the wrong thread ! How about CAMFEST 2008 ?
Let's all meet at the Camaster booth at IWF 2008 on Friday at a designated time to get aquainted. Crews of Cabinet Pro, Cabinet Parts Pro, V-Carve Pro, all Camaster users, the blokes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, all come together in one spot ! WOW!! Kustom Concepts, you're good, design us a Camaster Camfest 2008 logo for a golf shirt. We'll all buy one and wear it on Friday. Maybe the software guys won't but us daily users will. Let's get something going Joey ! Yes, that would be 'cut to the bone' Joey. Bill and Josh what do you think ? Everybody post your ideas. I think Bill should give a speech ! Topic, "Don't Let The CNC Get Your Goat!"
Keith

bill would give us all a free goat just for showing up!!! jim

Hi Jim,

Two weeks in and don't laugh! I know, I know what you're going to say "he will never build cabinets for me"! But I think it was the wood. But I am having a ball even the wife wants to try her hand at running the Cam.

To all the guys that made this thread happen, thanks!!!!!!! You guy's don't know how much you have helped me from software to buying a good machine and this is a well built, well performing router. It is easy to get started and make your first project.... what a hi 5!!!!

Thanks.

i ain't to sure about the golf shirt thing,, maybe a good cup of coffee lol:):)
jim

your here now, lets see some photos jim

I don't have a screen press for shirts I could make bumper stickers!!

Project Pics.

allright!!! now that looks good i wish you were near as i got a whole bunch of keyboard trays, is the wireless "N" working now?? oh an i'd bet you wife wants you to finish puttin the flooring down :):):)

jim

lets see the machine !!!

so i am gonna email george the file kustom did

jim

i spoke at length with bill someone ordered another machine, and after he delivers the small machine he will be coming back to GA, said he was beginining to like the weather there (fla) i will be going to lafayette to see him soon

Jim Here is the Harley I painted and airbrished this weekend.

the pictures of the mini race track was made out of Blue 2" foam from lowe's.

I hand carved this prototype but I want the cnc to carve these out for me once I can design how to do it.

it was finished off with stucco and airbrushed the track effects to look like mud.

you gonna do just fine with the new machine jim

it is pouring rain here and the pond will probably be back to full tommorrow!!!!

Jim you can send that camaster and easy street sign files to who ever wants them.

I think cut to the bone asked for them.

I am also taking requests for designs or themes people want and I will see what I can draw up for them.

it looks real good, i do appreciate the file writing jim

did you cut them? pics?

what settings did you use for plunge,feed,rpm ect.

i was out all day again today' i will run them tommorrow, i will say the flames look really good !!! you and i have spoke about tanks and paint before and that looks like real fire !!! going to bed back in am jim

thought this was real interesting jim

http://www.camcraft3d.com/

and i will probably go to the show in virginia next month, i told him of your idea to get together for some face to face time, he suggested we look into finding out what we need and he would be willing to do some training time,

in addition to the training seminars he will do after the show

more later, john branham will be sharing the booth and will be demonstrating
cabinetpro and other software as well jim

file ran real well!!! wil post vid and photos soon, you did just fine jim

file ran well did not run perimeter as i ran it w/ 60 degree v carve at .25 deep
jim

bits

video
http://www.youtube.com/user/cabnet636

and

YouTube - kustom koncepts


YouTube - kustom koncepts

jim

Kool!!!

that was really cool you have a lot of talent in this area, i bought a couple of sheets of mdy for running files in testing as i can see you are even more attuned to all of the factors that are involved than i am, i am glad i got some sign foam. one of the well experienced locals at cnc told me he gets pink insulation foam board for practice (cheap and ready) as i burnt up some expensive bits in trials jim

the guys had to somtin sweet for the real owners around here so they built boxes for our ladies jim

how you comming on the wincnc screen i still need to readjust my out put screen to my actual out put jim

if you can spend a little time learning it you can cut any square or rectangular part youy need, we did this closet with it jim

heres the videos related to bills machines www.camaster.com

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=camaster&search_type=

and all,

heres clip art cd's for use with v carve pro

http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-art-dover-electronic-clip-art-series--cd-rom-.html

and george i want one like this

http://www.machmotion.com/test/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=62

jim

using vcarve i have purchase several of the carve files from vector art 3d and they are superb be carful to order the file you need as it is what you get!!

http://www.vectorart3d.com/

i also have subscribed to this vector clip financially a nmuch better deal and stl files are recognized by cut 3d rlf files by art cam great inventory too!!

http://www.vectorclip3d.com/

heres a sign for a church wanting to post there mission statement, this church is 160=/- years old and it was good to be place in a church with woodwork that was all hand carved with great intricacy jim


jim

i am back on the vaccum hunt today, bill is still in fla and has been asked to do some training before he comes back jim

http://www.nemi.com/grid_table_fixturing.htm

I'm back. Jim here is the best Vaccum out there you dont need a big one to do what you need. this is the one bills post was talking about.
http://www.beckerpumps.com/
look around there site and get back with Bill he is the MAN!!!!
and i have looked over the thread and CAMfest 08 sounds great. will get somethig going.

Joey

will get it dude i am ready to rock jim

Just a start took me all of 5 min to do. but lets get the juices going

53714

Joey

Looking good!!
Keith:rainfro:

a friend inquiring about camaster and i gave him your number today, jim

the guys over on excitech thread are finding the difficulties of not having a tool changer, at this moment i am glad i am going this route on the new machine. i spoke to bill yesterday and he has som evideo of the changer he has installed in st augustine, check your email soon for a 3d file i sent jim

with CAMfest 08 it will be a great thing. He said if we can talk it up and get the buzz big then maybe we can reserve a room. Thats just an idea at this point. lets see what we can get done!!!!!

Thanks for all your help.

Joey aka BONE

gee joey!!! lol ok heres a chip load calculator from a helpful salesman friend

Nobody knows better than Bill who has a Camaster. How about if ya'll send a postcard to the people who own Camasters and let them in on what's happening ? This could be really big if the word gets out. I guess some of those users could be Warthog owners ? That's ok. We're here to help each other. I wish everybody could understand how much easier and faster my Camaster CNC has made my job. Maybe if you include information about cnc zone in the postcard more users will log in and share their experiences.
CAMFEST 2008 AT IWF !

bill go`t back from fla yesterday and i am going to GA next week how you dion on carvin, i have had to do some business and have not been able to spend much time with machine this week jim

who called me about camaster cnc

here is site

www.camaster.com

and here is book i refered to

http://www.techno-isel.com/tech_cata.htm

videos are on you tube just search "camaster "

software is wincnc controller

http://www.wincnc.net/

carving programs
http://www.vectric.com/
carve files
http://www.vectorclip3d.com/
and here
http://www.vectorart3d.com/

cabinet software

http://www.siskiyouproducts.com/
and here
http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/
free doors
http://home.centurytel.net/bwclark/

doors and cabinets are performed by cabinetppro kieth g has this program

good section on bits
http://www.techno-isel.com/H850/HTML/RoutingTools_57.html



jim

i loaded wincnc on my vista laptop and am getting

"error while loading device driver"

i have removed and reloaded and install goes fine

any thoughts jim

i have sent the screen we did to george man thanks again i learned a lot tonight jim

Anytime man it was fun.
Joey

I just remembered you have to open the wincnc.ini file now don’t change anything else in here (that would be a)(nuts) but your looking for table size it should be near the top. Change the numbers to 48 and 96 for a 4X8 that should fix that for you.
Joey

it should look like this when done!

[Table size]
table=x0y0w48h96

joey it worked great, the table is adjusted for actual view of material and the touch top is dead accurate the math tells the controller that the touch pad is 1/2" when it is actually 5/8" so the final read out is 3/4 " above material and actual drill height is 7/8"

so we still need to adjust that, and i am looking forward to a "go to job z button"

I e-mailed you a new file that will have the go to home button on it.

Thanks,

Joey

dude that worked perfect and is now user friendly to all of the guys in the shop, go 2 home went to job z as planned

joesph b my buddy with the rocking horses just left here and wants to come with me to GA he is ready for a machine

thanks jimm

You're pretty lucky. I've been trying to get a "set Z" button since October! It's not that it's difficult to type in G37Z and press enter, I just miss my set Z button.
Keith

wincnv new camaster control screen, joey this made it so user friendly

thanks jim

YouTube - camaster wincnc controller



YouTube - camaster wincnc controller

it's not just a "z set" (g92x0y0) but a "go to z" ( g28) button also, which means i can just stop hit my button reset or change bits and move on basically it has curbed the learning curve and made the controller "user friendly" and this translates to helping the employees "$$$"

I have not gave up on yours. You have the xtra head and that makes it a little more difficult I have to get with josh to make sure i don't muck anything up for you. The one i sent to Jim is the same file i sent to you. I will get on it for you man your not on the back burnner.

Joey

I have the privilege to be th 100th on the CAMaster Thread

Yay Me!

Joey:wave:

man teaching the guys was sooo easy with the new controler am doing demo of cabinetpro with john branham tonight back later jim

That sounds good let me know what you think about cabpro.

Joey

will do its job, i want to go to kieths and see it one more time before i buy will do that in the next week,

will be building some new dust feet today as the one that came with my machine was made for cutting 1.4 " panel in a sign shop and did not have enough clearance in the 1/2"+ range of depth will build on for george in wilmington too!

we are almost finished with the theater that we have used the machine to cut all parts and yesterday pocketed out the doors to create panel effect for hidden doors. it was done by the employee i thought woul have the least involvement with the machine and worked perfectly jim

Sounds good, Keith knows CabPro very well. Have you thought anymore about a trip to Bill's?

Joey

G`day Jim, Your Camaster is a bloody ripper.
Just looked at your videos - that machine flies along.
You are so fortunate to have the assistance of these blokes.
The wincnc controller is the ants pants - Gotta get one of them for our next machine.
Congratulations!
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gifhttp://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gifhttp://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif
Rocket.

ants pants?

kinda like a slice o pie

making one for george in wil nc.

heres in fo j

http://www.sealeze.com/index.htm

jim

Thanks for the link to the sealeze site!! They've got some killer brushes.
Keith:rainfro:

a better dust foot

http://www.flex-guard.com/mounting_guards.htm

and here
http://www.spiralbrushes.com/strip.html

http://www.newmantools.com/brush/strip/backingsizes.htm

this is in stock i will get it today jim

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?L2=Strip&operator=prodIndexRefinementSearch&originalValue=strip+brush&L1=Brushes%2C

In today’s economy there are too many unknowns. I see it all the time, in fact I lived it.
I worked for a cabinet shop that went big. The growing pains that come with a CNC is a lot, and if you magnify your learning curve and your payment. This is a recipe for disaster. We went from no automation and every thing the old fashion way. To
275,000 CNC
20,000 Dowel inserter
10,000 box clamp
Over night just about, our method was all turned around. The guys in the shop was pulling there hair out at all the problems we were having. For 6 months we were still using the table saw.
In today’s world bigger is not always better. I have been on the receiving end of those sales pitches. When there done with you, you actually thing it takes 150,000 + to build a cabinet.
With the world as uncertain as it is. The bottom line is the most important thing other than quality. The worst thing you can do to your bottom line is to swing big. You have to grow big. Decide what your goals are for you shop. Is it to save money on labor or to grow in capacity? Yes to both is what I usually get. And that is a great thing. I just want people to know you can reach your goals without risking so much.
If i had a 30,000 CNC 12,000 in software. And the economy tanked I can support my shop finding other facets of machine work to do. But if the debt was 200,000 + then the answer is a no.

The reason for this is to get people to Think.

Joey

12' of brush and holder strip had to order it, grainger in cola

will get it on wed will post photos later of footprint jim

is everyone using a dust shoe? I did not order one and I don't want one. I think it gets in the way. I have a confined room and a big air filter system in the room.

do you all think I need to run a dust shoe?

if so I better get to making one and drop more money of a dust colector system. will this ever end I am broke already?

12' of brush and holder strip had to order it, grainger in cola

will get it on wed will post photos later of footprint jim

what was the part number of brush did you get, I have a grainger in town here.

i am making them here i'll post some pis in abit and we'll make you on you can use a shop vac for a while


but yes you will want a dust shoe!!!!

look on graingers page 2019 and 2020 of new catalog 399 for parts we made 2 today jim i have an extra one

Check out these cool real wood blanks I found.

I was searching for that double sided Masking tape at a craft store when I came across these they are about 14 inches wide but would make a cool rustic looking v carved sign.

Hobby Lobby about 10 bucks each

http://www.walnuthollow.com/sale/irregulars.html

it's even cheaper direct from the manufactuer in wisconsin

your gettin ready to have a lot of fun, if you got a steel distributor in town go look for his pallets that came from southeast asia with copper on them i used to go get them as they were made of mohogany.

man hobby lobby can be real cool to!

here is some update on the theater we are doing

and the dust foot's we are fabricating we will have the brushes on wed.

george in wil nc this is how you will mount the foot

kustom when we see photo of your gantry i'll send you a foot

jim

http://www.findtape.com/product221/Scapa-174-Double-Coated-Cloth-Tape.aspx

This is the closest thing I can find to what I am looking for. in the description it even says temporary adhesion for machining applications.

if any one know what double sided tape I am looking for let me know. what the use for this tape is if you have 3 sheets of 1/4" material you can stick 3 sheets together and cut repedative shapes out of multiple panels at once. and for those of us who don't have vacume tables this tape will hold our material to the spoil board. it is great stuff a competator uses it but I can't figure out what it is it was left on my product when it came back from them when they where doing my cutting. I have no name or explanation other than a non permanat masking like 2" tape that holds like masking tape and removes fairly easy especially with a hit of the heat gun.

the tapes I am finding locally are a double sided carpet Duck tape at hardware stores and is TOO aggresive and leaves a lot of residue when removed. thanks

theres a good double sided tape at lowes we use it to hold drawer fronts and parts in place while we fasten them

heres some i just ordered to try as well

http://www.actioncnc.com/w123.htm

gerry where do we find it wholesale jim



jim

man am i felling good about my new router w/ tool changer

this is atc installed in fla in feb

jim

YouTube - CAMaster CNC ATC 510 Cutting cabinets out of melamine

tony mac has released a new cut 2/d at a very resonable rate, it is a basic

program that will get you cutting and you can upgrade to vcarve, i bought it
but remember it is in vcarve so if you are going to buy vcarve then cut to the chase and get v carve, it will however serve many purposes on it's own!!

jim

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../c2d_index.htm

please go to www.camaster.com and leave a testimony for our web site.
every little bit helps.

Thanks
Joey

for sending me the strobascope which you place a small piece of reflective tape and it will read your spindle speeds. which i can now use to establish chipoad !!

am building new dustfoot and am using these untill i get the rest of the brush parts, my spindle rpms are now known and we are getting much better at file writing and not forgeting to turn on the vaccum. jim

Has anyone ever made a newel post with raised designs on them and if you have what program did you use to design and generate g-code

i have ordered the 4rth axis router but have yet to do this i have bobcadcam which has lathe option and bill has some other options

he is at www.camaster.com

grainger called with new brush about the time we found this at home depot in the hardware section at door sweeps section lowes does not carry it.

clear plexi 1.00$ in scrap bin at glass store
pvc fittings 7.50$
pvc pipe 2" 8' long 4.50
aluminum angle 11.00

cabinets cut and machined with cabinetparts pro

Jim love your design.. Looking good old man!

That dust hood looks great. and the cabinets i bet that makes you feel good. keep it going. Are you still thinking about going next week to the show?

Joey

fredicksburg va is tooo far to drive with all i got going on,

i will go to charlotte show on sat to get some aluminum t slot and bits

gonna make a t- slot vacuum table

jim

bill will be at this show next week

http://www.capitolwoodexpo.com/cap/

at bottom

http://camaster.com/cs/forums/thread/138.aspx

cabinet parts pro

almost done!!

whats every one using for the quiestest dust collector? Delta. Jet ect.

is bill pentz work on dust collection

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Ducting.cfm

for dust collection

http://www.airhand.com/

foor rail and stile doors

YouTube - NEMI Mushroom Clamps!

we got some new camaster owners, bill has said that the VA show is ok him and josh are feeling flueee! we will have photos of the new machine soon

jim

hows every thing going. let me know if you need something.

Joey

george in wilmington has a need to call you and asked for your number, he is figuring out that you have already done wincnc for us!!

on another note send me your address again i will be coming to Ga maybe tommorrow night if all works out here!!

i am now carving in 3d joesph has really helped me out with it and robert is rockin on cabinet parts pro!! joesph is purchasing a machine from bill.

we are also learning about table time and are ready for the new machine!!
we will wait until after iwf but i may get a smaller one for the barn
jim

difficult is it to put limit switches on a machine apperantly it's an "add on" feature on shopsabre. check out the 4x8 thread and may be we can help out kustom jim

Could you e-mail me Georges number i would be glad to help a fellow CAMhead.

Joey

If you've got some time I sure would like a set Z button. The command is G37Z. If I knew how, I'd do it myself but I'm afraid I'll make a mess.
Keith

i will email you the ini file and the touchpad . mac file

with the z set

do not load it untill you talk to joey

jim

going to bills next week they painted my new router yesterday and bill has got several going at the same time

spent some time with him on phone today, said to tell you hello!!

of bits necessary evil

sign background for columbia sailing club in lake murry sc

rough out of 3d carve for sail boat centerpiece

Please help I am a idiot.

Ok Win CNC

after 36,235 lines of code and only half way through my cutting I had a bit stap right off.

Freaud tools are junk!!

I hit escape to cancel then move the spendel up. I put in another 1/4" bit Ammana and set the z zero not the xy zero to keep it the same as the job was cutting.

now I hit the restart arrow and is says the file and the line it was on. I hit start and it says ERROR: BOUNDRY EXCEEDED and it was not exceeded. how do I restart this from line 36K instead of starting back at 1

could not get it to not throw the boundry exceeded crap so I started it back at line 1 with the new bit, cranked it up to 1,200 Inch Min and buzzed up to where I was. I can't belive this is how veryone else does it. can any one tell me what I did wrong that it won't let me restart it from line 36,234. I know I was able to stop and do a restart on another job maybe I have some box checked that is wrong. or a setting in the program. thanks

sorry i was a sleep!!, wincnc has a start from line # feature i have had to use it, i'll get to a computer that hads win cnc and we'll get to it, send cut to the bone a pm and tell him what happened! jim

go to file


then restart command.
what type of support did shop sabre provide, also wincnc will help jim

I did the File>restart> located my file> saw what line it stopped on>hit ok and them the start in win cnc and nothing.


the one other time I got it to work I stopped a job 3 times.

I did the above procedure and hit ok then start. the cnc fired up to the RPM set and moves to where it will start. it then said something like Ready to start hit ENTER> I hit enter and away it went. so I have done it before but on this job it would not it just kept saying ERROR: BOUNDRY EXCEEDED and I had to run it from the beginning.


No SS support at 9 PM plus I think I pissed them off when I told them some stuff about their machine and the delivery date.

I can't complain about the accuracy though. I was able to do this, I don't know if this is special or not a big deal but I though it was pretty cool that I was able to do this.

the pictures below is (2) 17" x 50" 1/4" acrilic clear sheets. I used 3M 94 CA contact spray used for counter tops and stuck the two paper covered sheets together, making it .478" thick, them I took off the bottom layer in a spot to measure. then it measures .470" so then I told the cnc to Z Zero on top and cut .472" deep and the result is I cut through the material and am able to not cut throught the .008" thick paper backing.

I said I don't know if this is anything new to anyone but I thought it was pretty cool plus it helps hold the parts together and did not cut into my top at all.

Oh the way I held the whole thing to the table was that 2 sided Crepe tape I was talking about. Worked great.

I can see if I had a vacume table that this trick of not cutting throught the paper would keep the vacume suction up also. later.


if any one else knows what I did wrong that it would not let me restart du to a ERROR: BOUNDRY EXCEEDED let me know. thanks

tool I broke last night at line 30,232 or something and when I wanted to do the restart and was unable to.



Bit tempeture was 85 degress when it snapped

that looks good, got another sign job, .30 per inch sign foam and 100.00 per square ft. 3d

what was this plexi used for ??

people are using two fein vacuums for table with great success bought two on friday and will let you know jim

It is a local place called Custom Plastics.

he is a shop that makes all kinds of stuff with plastics.

shapes, plaques, holders, panels, boxes ect. all made of acrilic plastics.

if you have a shop like this in your area you should check with them. this job was 4 16x23" panels with 15Wx10H 1 3/16" holes with 5/16" spacing. just cut the holes and no clean up just give the sheet back and he does with it what he does. the other job was some odd end shapes.

my problem was I went back to him with a bid to do the first job of 60 parts for $180 he told me he gets it from somewhere else for $60

the second job he had was 4 of those 16x23 sheets with 150 holes. Quotes $120 and he said he would pay $20 ea so $80

My bid $ 300

what he would pay $140

Hours to complete with design 4Hr

Broke $35 bit

$105 profit

$25Hr made shops costs $32 hr to run I lost $28 to do this work for him. Isn't business Great!!!

CNC Camaster Girl

ben of bensmillwork found this and the detail is incredible

http://www.3dmodelclub.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=318&category_id=5&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=93&vmcchk=1&Itemid=93

in addition to our regen blower and man what a difference the only pull 7.5hg
+/- but 2 feins and the regen are at 700cfms doing the job video later

break in of new spindles
http://pdscolombo.com/pdf/Spindle%20Break%20in%20Procedure%207-07.pdf

and care

http://pdscolombo.com/pdf/PDS%20Spindle%20Care%2007.pdf

great site, i have ordered new fan blades and now they are to loud so i will switch to electric fans

http://pdscolombo.com/support.html

on thursday we got a visit from "paul" of charllotte nc he is looking for his next machine and i hope he will consider camaster as i am sooo hopeing he'll
join our growing group of support, i am so grateful he came not only to see an 8 year old machine with 1/2 stepper motors but because he was so helpful in teaching my guys some important basics of cnc software and operations,

the new machine we are getting from bill is sooo much further along with the atc and such but paul was able to give them a glimpse of what is comming our way

i do not have paul's permission to use his full name here but i do want to say thank you and hope he'll review my machine here jim

we are having an owners training session and will be disscussing controllers and software, several machines are being built and one is being picked up
during the week of apr 28-08 jim

Hi,

Sorry to but in here, but I can't find much info on these machines. I have been to their website and it isn't to informative. I ask for info and got a phone call from someone(sorry forgot his name) I ask him to send me some more info, specs etc. but haven't seen a thing in two weeks. He seemed to be more about Art Cam training than the machine it's self.

There isn't much here on this brand other than this thread. Seems strange, How many of these are out there? Their own forum is basically vacant.

I am going to purchase a cnc router within the next 60-90 days I would like a 4th axis, or at least one that can be installed later.

I make mostly custom furniture now no cabinets, and would like to be able to also do carved mantels, newell(?sp) post, corbels etc.

Are these machines made in the USA? They look like the Chinese machines.

Should I just scratch these guys off the list?

Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks,
Scott

and i speak to bill glenn every few days there are quite a few machines out there that bill has built and i speak with some of them also, yes bill did sell the chinese machines and they are still are on his site, if you want one they are available from other companies in the us. they are widely discussed on this forum under excitech. i believe you spoke to a salesman (the artcam ) i would call again and ask for joey or bill they can help you if you wish you can pm me and i'll get you in touch

i can say i like my machine and i have ordered another with the lathe, spent most of tonight on the software there are several to choose from, yes i also have found it is hard to get a lot of support on a comercial forum but bill, josh, joey and the other camaster owners i keep up with have been very helpful there are machines in wilmington, camden sc, columbia sc several in fla, california and georgia as well that i know of

scott what part of the country are you in, i would say that camaster is not all things to all people, i like the fact that they are a small company and build two to four machines a month. i have been in woodwork for twenty years and am grateful for these fellows they certanly have made the transformation to cnc a lot less difficult than i expected.

and i will confess i post as i hope to build more support among this size of machine as i hope to build more of my business around cnc

any way thanks for asking
jim mcgrew
www.mcgrewwoodwork.com

this little switch cover was requested by our local hilton hotel after they saw the logo in vcarvepro the want all kinds of goodies,, the cabinets in the sweet shop were done with cabinetpartspro, ryan of cpp has a vew version coming soon and has let me play with it. he is making really good headway with it but as you can see it (cpp) is a very usable program as it is. i cut the wine racks with vcarvepro as well

scott thanks for contacting me i hope my info was what you were looking for jim

so i got to build her a new one with vcarve jim

it's worth the ride out here in the mountains of georgia just for the scenery!!

craig is here to pick up a 4x8 w atc and a 4x8 is being finished at the same time, the blue machine is being built for a fellow who will cut deep foam (high z) we will spend the day here in training.

oh an the machine upside down is mine!!!!!

Jim, what is the height of the table and what is the distance from the bottom rung to the floor. The pics look good. Hope you guys aren't having too much fun over there. Also, if you see Bill, have him give me a call.

Paul

and will post more tommorrow paul, great trip met some great guys who are into thier cnc's. will post more in am jim

there were some guys wanting machines, some waiting on thier new machines and some of us who have machines, john of cabinetpro was there,

it was worth the trip and we will go back soon to pick up "joesph's" machine

paul i am sure bill is asleep we put in some hours

jim

When is Joseph's machine supposed to be done? Maybe I can be there for that visit. Also, in the pics, is the spindle a Columbo or another brand? I've had experience with Columbo on my last CNC machine but wondering what the others are all about.

has ordered a 3x6 machine for his small parts, he is the guy you met in my office with the bossrockers!! yes the 10 hp spindle is columbo, i have had to contact pds columbo in nc and have had excellent response from them, i changed the boing sounding 747 spindle fan for an electric one and now we can have a conversation in the cnc room, i spoke to bill late yesterday and he should call you, i would like to go to ga again it was worth it!! jim

next week to pick up joesphs 3x6 for his specialized parts.

Jim, let me know what the schedule is so I can plan a trip if possible. It's about a 6.5 hour drive for me. Who else is planning on being there?

PJ

yes i'll speak to bill mon am and let you know jim

gonna score well on this jim

http://cgi.ebay.com/CNC-3-axis-Heavy-Duty-Router-with-Touch-Control_W0QQitemZ110250928654QQihZ001QQcategoryZ57122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So Jim, is this ebay machine of interest to you? Visited Camaster on Friday and had a good time. Met another owner stopping by to see his machine. Nice guy and is buying for all the right reasons. Spent a few hours with Bill and had an interesting conversation. He builds a very nice machine. The Camaster location is not one you would just happen upon but I do envy them for the scenery. I'm redoing the machine specs I need for my business (5x10, ATC, 4th axis & etc) and will get a requote but everything I've seen looks good. Because of some space restrictions, I may have to get creative on where everything is located on this machine but I'll work it out somehow. Should have some answers on which way to go in a couple of weeks.
PJ

man the drive out there was really beautiful, i live on a farm in mid sc and i did enjoy the drive as well!!. i look forward to you getting a machine as i have a lot to learn about the 4rth axis as well and i will need your help. that little blue 4rth axis machine was one well built table!

saw this and had to try it!!.

mdf 3/4 table holes drilled for "festool" clamps ($ 80.00 per pair us) i have ordered 2 more sets of clamps

good for small repetitive parts, we will use it for fluted columns

jim

What do you do for boards that are not exactly straight? Do these clamps hold if you press down a warped area or do they allow springback? Looks like a good idea for a lot of operations. We are getting closer to a Camaster!

PJ

have about 1/8 inch push but if the setting hole is close tolerance they do just fine. and yes i spoke to bill about getting my machine moved up as well there. we will be going to bills to get joesphs machine soon! jim

It is good to be back Bill has had me on the road and in the shop for the past 5 weeks. I went to Tenn with the Mach 3 table and every thing went well. You need to try the remote controll!!! I had that table working off a wireless playstation controller it was great. I just thought i would check in.

Latter

Joey

joey i went wincnc, so can i ?
jim

Jim we have one at the shop that old billhogg that you used has a wireless on it now and next time you come down we'll take it for a spin. You can on win cnc it is a upgrade to the software and you might on your new cnc want to do it. And be ashured that I'll have one running at IWF. it is cool to run your cnc from 30 foot away! all you need is a big screen.

Joey

big screens jim

i am looking for it now it's near the begginning jim

so hows your day going jim

I've decided to go the Camaster route for a few reasons. They have the 5 x 10 table I need and seem very willing to work with me on getting the options I wanted on a CNC for the price range I am in. I have a good feeling about this machine. I spoke with Bill yesterday and he answered my last questions. A very helpful guy! Now I have to wait for the machine, that's the hardest part. I've got some work lined up for it already so I've got to hold them off for a little while. We'll be talking as time goes and when you get your machine, we can compare notes. Stay in touch.

PJ

i sold a really large cabinet job yesterday so at this point i have got to get moving on the new building we will be bringing the new router in to the new building as reconfiguring the shop with electris and such would be redundant with a move pending, i will be going to see bill again next week we will be picking up joesph's router soon.
jim

got a lot of projects going on now and am getting ready to move to new shop. will be getting machine after we move in so more to come.. have found a new way to clamp and even better than the festool system i built already clamps are available at grizzley named " cam clamps"

jim

here are the cam clamps i have ordered

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Shop-Fox-Cam-Clamp/H5740

jim

several have been delivered, yesterday joey brought joesph's machine to columbia. i was able to learn a lot mot about setting up win cnc joey josh and bill have really invested thier time in that controller, some of the newer machines may have mach on them and it probably is a matter of choice, after we left joesph happily carbing away on his new camaster we worked with craig in sd. to move his machine for the first time craig has purchased the 10 hp tool changer and had just gotten his powered up

i am sure we'll hear from joey and craig soon, there are several new machines in production now so if you have ordered a new machine post in and let us know how we can help!!! jim mcgrew

camaster owners, we are going to the iwf in atlanta and have had a great response from the contact of owners who have sent photo's of your machines no mater how old they are i am compliling a disk of photos of bill's machines if you wish for yours to be in it, send me a pic!!! jim mcgrew

send me a pm and i'll give you email address

here are some sites of interest

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

who called me about camaster cnc

here is site

www.camaster.com

and here is book i refered to

http://www.techno-isel.com/tech_cata.htm

videos are on you tube just search "camaster "

software is wincnc controller

http://www.wincnc.net/

carving programs
http://www.vectric.com/
carve files
http://www.vectorclip3d.com/
and here
http://www.vectorart3d.com/

cabinet software

http://www.siskiyouproducts.com/
and here
http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/
free doors
http://home.centurytel.net/bwclark/

doors and cabinets are performed by cabinetppro kieth g has this program

good section on bits
http://www.techno-isel.com/H850/HTML...gTools_57.html

the photos of JB's CAMaster looks great I have a few I can get you. As for the IWF. Im looking forward to it I know this is going to be a big year for camaster. I post some more news on the show in a few days. Tell Boss i said hi and if he needs any thing to call me.

Thanks

Joey

joey he asked me for your number yesterday give him a call.

i have changed the motors and all is great!! i will be learning more about my 3d carving as i will be going to jb's to cut on his machine this week

jim

hey joey jb is here with us

joey, jim hows the carvin going?
jb

check this

Greetings CNCers,

I thought I'd share a few things with you...I am a wood nut just learning cnc, I bought a carvewright during x-mas 2007 as a learning tool in the cnc world (great tool to learn axis, and function) its plug and play...but REALLY slow for large detailed work. I make heirloom quality childrens rocking horses. I began longing for speed and precision almost immediatly. I was introduced to Bill G. by a friend known here as cabnet 636 (thanks Jim). I received my Camaster today and........WOW.......it is awsome. I spent several months hammering out (converting) carveright files to cnc G code and what used to take 10 plus hours per side with average quality just ran in under 30 minutes with flawless detail. those guys at camaster build one heck of a machine. its heavy, clean and very fast. Bill, Joey, Josh THANK YOU !

I will post some photos soon. As for now, forget cutin baby, get carvin...

Joseph - www.bossrockers.com

good to here from you. Jim thats great news about the stepper. I am learning alot myself. Were working on ways to cut down man hours per unit without a cut in our standards. Also working on a list of things needed for the show. The count down is on and were going to be very busy the next few weeks. I hope all is well in SC. Talk to ya soon.

Joey:cheers:

G`day Jim, Keep em coming. Lots of interesting reading.

My son went to a Exhibition in Sydney last weekend. It is called AWISA and is held every two years. There were four halls full of cabinet making machinery of all descriptions. He was blown away by it all. Must be similar to your IWF Exhibition.

He looked at a lot of cnc Routers and came away with the impression that we made the right choice of machine. In his opinion the more expensive machines were very large and complicated - he could not see the justification in spending the big dollars on them.

Hope you have a great time. Can you post some photos while you are there?

By the way, have not heard anything from Jimmy 007 for a long time - i guess he must be busy.

Rocket.

iwf as understand it is the largest woodworking show in the world, there is las vegas in odd number years and ligna in germany. the first time i went i made the mistake of trying to see it in one day and boy was that a mistake!!

i have missed only one in 16 years. i alwayus take alll opf the guys as they come back and seem to improve the methods and shop workings after each show. everything you have ever seen in woodworking is on display and a lot you have never seen. bill is moving right along with my router and i have decided after seeing bossrockers to build another for the barn as i cannot have enough me time on one at the shop.

good to hear from ya. kustom is moving along and i hope he'll hit a nitch to make some money soon!! somthing tells me he will

jim

thought i'd check in and let cam heads know the first boss rocker is comin off the table. alittle more stain, glue, plugs and top coat and she'll be there. the personal satisfaction is sure was worth the investment. the camaster machine rock and rolls....!!!!!!

jb

www.bossrockers.com

what are we gonna do with our old carvewrights!!

jim

it made a nice gift to my brother in-law.

jb:rolleyes:

my wife will probably not let it leave the farm!!

see you in am jim

http://www.harborsales.net/

material source

http://grizzly.com/products/Shop-Fox-Cam-Clamp/H5740

cam clamps

Looks good Joseph, nice work! Seems you are catching on to the CNC quickly. I spoke with Joey and mine is under construction. Can't get here fast enough for me. I've got a persistant customer waiting for me to give him the green light. That's a good problem to have.

Jim, thanks for all the info you been sharing with others. It will save us time looking for resourses down the road. Hopefully, I'll see some pics of the construction of my machine soon. Keeps the interest level high.

Hope to see you all in Atlanta if not before!

Paul

i was speaking with joey last night and i believe your's and erics are about to be flipped and thats when they really take shape!!

mine is moving along as well, after seeing joesph's sports car cnc in his garage now i am wanting one for the farm!!!

do you know who all's machines they are using at the show? I can't wait to get it and start cutting. Still have to decide on CAM software; leaning towards Rhinocam, but waiting for them to release 2.0 first so I can demo it and check improvements from 1.0. I like the Vectric stuff and may end up with it also, but it sure is nice to be able to work cad/cam totally in Rhino.

thanks for posting all the pics and keeping us up to date on all things Camaster.

Eric

all of the software companies will be selling at the show it is a great time for f to f purchasing, i would dowload vectric vcarve and win cnc demo you can cut way down on learning curve by beginning now, this is what joesph was able to do

jim

have you used rhino before??
jim

Hi Jim, yes in the job I have had for the past 6 years, I get to use Rhino almost every day. Love it. I've tried the vectric stuff and like it.

i have a seat for type 3 and bobcad cam and have yet to explore any of them, so far the vectric has done every thing i have needed. i am glad you are that far along the cnc will come natural jim

typical iwf salesman

Well this ones done...

man thats nice!! jim

post us a pic of your new sign!! hope to call you tommorrow iwf coming soon!!!

jim

I'll do that but I've got to study up on how to do it. I think there's a tutorial on cnc zone. I got my Z setting fixed. I found a thinner piece of aluminum and made another touchpad. I also went into the touchtop file and reset the thickness and the safe height. Cabinet Pro was easy to fix. I went into the post processor and deleted G92.1Z^K. That put me back in the right place. The piece I used to test it out cut perfect! Boy am I glad that's done! 92.1 gives you the advantage that you don't have to reset Z everytime you switch material thicknesses, BUT if you have a problem and need to reset your Z axis it's a problem. You either have to be able to get to a spot that's not covered with your material or shut off the vacuum, move the material, reset z, try to reposition your material as close as possible and restart the vacuum! Thanks a bunch for the help! I'll let you know when I get the cabinet done.
Keith

that's what we are here for buddy!! i have no clue what i am doing most of the time, but when i have to help someone figure it out i usually learn!!!

so take a digital photo, get a free program called picassa (google gives it away free) then call me i'll show you how easy that is

jim

eric have you operated a cnc before?

jim

this is my first one! I've worked with CAD for about 8 years and machine based woodworking as a hobby for about 10. I've been playing with Rhinocam and Vcarve for a couple months now and it's all pretty straight forward. Got my first project to cut today (of course, the machine won't be here until late August..). 1'x4' decorative plywood screens that are laid in below fluorescent fixtures. Something to get me going, and glad I went with a 5' wide table so I can use the baltic birch on this project.

eric
find a guy named todd71 on this site usually a shopsabre guy, look at his site

i am making air register grills!!

jim

Boss that looks great! WOW! it will not take long for me to be asking you questions. Hows she running? The show is just around the corner and were gearing up to make a push at all that goes in to it. Jim thanks for all the help man it has not gone unnoticed.

Thanks,
Joey

IWF SHOW IN ATLANTA

Camaster will be displaying new routers, i know bill has a great table top, a laser and the router that will do it all for the midsize and smaller cabinet shops
and sign companies as well as any one who just absolutly has to be involved with cnc!!!

the booth number is 6974 in hall b at the iwf show

we will be meeting with other owners to share techniques and owner support
for what i now know as one heck of a great router!!

jim mcgrew

what days are you guys going to meet up? I think I'll be coming down, but don't know what days are best to be there. Do they do demos continuously throughout the day or have set pieces they do at certain times?

I know there's a lot to see, so I plan on coming for at least 2 of the days..

eric my suggestion is to come for a full day on friday and saturday. paul is coming here to columbia on sunday to see joesph's machine we hope to coerce a little software training from him, paul told mer today he is coming on thursday and friday, so my guess is the most of us will be there friday, two years ago the show was well organized and we were able to move around real well. definately look forward to meeting you there, i am sure paul , joesph, kieth joey will chime in on this. craig t will be working in south dakota

jim

paul of charlotte called and came to columbia today to check out joesph's machine and teach us some things about files and non such. it was a good day and i was able to run my first 3d file as i now know i will have to upgrade my drivers ad motors to micros to achieve the results i want from my older machine. eric got your message and i'll let paul tell us all his impression of the camaster in joesh's garage!!! he had some interesting observations that made me feel real good about why i went with this machine!!

its the machine!!!

This will be my first attempt at pictures of my first attempt at signs! :rainfro:
Keith

now you got it!!! kieth we will be primarily trying to meet on friday at iwf, i will be there wed-sat, i am hoping we can all meet and have lunch

next time we meet with paul you gotta come he's not a cabinetmaker so i am still in awe of the other ways he knows how to use these things!!

jim

Hi fellas, Big plea for assistance for member Mitch. ( mhkwd )

Mitch has just taken delivery of his Excitech cnc Router. It is a Auto Tool Changer machine and has a " Syntec Controller ". The problem is that the
instruction manual that came with the machine is not any good.
Mitch cannot make any sense of it.

I am hoping that some of the camaster blokes may have some experience with the Syntech system and could give Mitch the basics of how to operate it.

There are a few of us that are about to buy the Auto Tool Changer machine and it is supplied with the Syntech controller, so we need to work out how to use it.

Any assistance greatly appreciated. Mitch has started a thread about the controller.

Thanks in advance, Rocket.

joey' " cut to the bone" is versed on this, and bill has installed many of these routers. i'll see what i can do.

jim

Much appreciated. It must be very frustrating for Mitch. So close.....but so far.

The Syntec controller looks very impressive in the photos that were posted, but it looks very complicated to a new user. I think that the supplier of the machine needs to employ somebody proficient in the english language to design a comprehensive instruction manual. LOL!

Regards, Rocket.

After a short drive from Charlotte, I got a chance to spend a Sunday with Joseph and Jim in South Carolina. It was a chance to see the newest CAMaster in action. That is a cool machine! We programed a few files and did some cutting with ease. 3D worked very well. Thanks for the file, Jim. It appears to be a very stout and smooth machine. Good job to Bill and the folks at CAMaster! Joseph should have some great work to show in the near future. Jim may have to wait a bit till he gets his new machine. Most of the people I've met with new CAMaster machines didn't have much, if anything, going with CNC technology in the recent past. It seems to have become their newest obsession now and these machines are helping to live out some dreams. Technology is a great thing! Also good job on the signs Keith! We should meet at the IWF in Atlanta. I'm sure we'll all have stories to share. Anyway, Thanks again guys for the play time, hope we can share again in the near future.

Paul

so any way i thought id show you the pro series router!!

joey has let me know that tony mac of vectric will do a demo of vcarve and vectrics products on friday at iwf time to be determined

so gear up we are goin to meet the man!!!

jim

Did you find any steppers?

Joey

bill said to use the ones i have first as i could not find 3/8 shafts and i might just be happy with the ones i have jim

Well guys here it is my cnc finaly in my shop it is kind of a humbling feeling, just to think a piece of machinery is so amazing that you actually can be in a state of shock while you watch it preform.

I would like to thank Bill,Josh,And Joey for gettiing me a nice machine and helping me get it up and running.

Oh and don't think I forgot about you Jim I appriciate every thing that you have done for me.

Thanx Craig
63172

63176

63177

63178

think nothing of it, i will be learning the atc from you!!

jim

tisch has some questions about cabinetpro call me for his number thanks jim

Jim

I left a message on Kieths machine i guess 1 more day of waiting won't hurt i think it is Miller time.

or a belgian budwieser whoa!!!

tisch and b rocker next lesson chip loads!

https://www.onsrud.com/xdoc/FeedSpeeds

No thank you!
We all do it together. Happy cutting and well have a seat in Atlanta for ya if you change your mind.

Joey

did we get thoe request by wnews finished jim

Hi, I need some help please !!!

I have a new camaster and have been having some problems with the router running files ( all files created in Vcarvepro)and off setting during the run. I have done the following tests with posted results. large files @ 300 inches per minute feedrates curves and simple squares. small files curves and squares @ 24 inches per minute feed rate. when the router comes home it recognizes x-0 y-0 but will be off 1/16 to 1/4 inch sometimes x; sometimes y; sometimes both. faster feedrates = larger offsets. three days ago the X 210 geko failed and was replaced, offsets are more consistent and noticible since geko replacemnt. I have a 2.6 GHz, 504 MB machine with win cnc, running the machine. it is grounded, i turn every thing in the shop off except a few lights to see. the cnc machine is on a dedicated 20 amp breaker alone. the computer is on a seperate breaker. there are noticibly different tensions in the x and y belt tensions, x tighter than y. I am posting 2 photos of the X gear shaft that is noticibly oblong and am curious if wobble from upper gear could cause any problems.
Any help and suggestions greatly appriciated.
jmb:confused:

mine running the grapes file that j booth sent me and is doing fine i am on my way to your house jim

Hi Keith How is the Cabinet Pro software? I have Vcarve Pro and its great but looking for something geared more for cabinet.

as we saw today and i admit i was stumped, the shaft of the x gear to rack has a cover on it much like a spacer when we studied it it finally came to me that it would move from side to side creating a concentric look to the gear. the geart shft and motor are straight and preforming as designed, we both learned a lot about our ini files today and i will be helping joesph get another computer tommorow he is currently learning a lot about file transfer etc.

i have seen here on cnc zone to leave the controller computer dedicated to the machine any one else got any input on this.

jim

are you running, i am sure kieth will see post on monday, i have been using cabinetparts pro and will study sogtware a little further in august at iwf, i currently have planits cabnetware but the up grade to cnc is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

jim

tommorrow i will switch from my 9 year old 1/2 stepper motors and controller to micros on the older camaster i have after seeing the accuracy and quiet of joesphs i am going to do it. i may go in one of several directions which even includes using the mach motion box sold here on cnc zone, my other option is anahiem automation but they do not have any microstepper boxes ready for sale and i would have to wait!!

any one know of any other package controller units

jim

i have seen here on cnc zone to leave the controller computer dedicated to the machine any one else got any input on this.

jim

I think the reason for this is that the controller PC has to be in total control of the step pulses or nasty things can happen to your cutting. Using other applications on the same computer can interfere with the CNC control software making the pulse stream hesitate.

Shannon.

boss sent me this this am.


"Need clarification from bill...Page 80 win cnc controller manual. G9-smoothing " ...smoothing factor is machine dependent. Stepper machines typically use S5 , servo machines typically use S1. to high a factor can result in missed steps or motor stalls." your G-09 is set to 20 mine is set at 30.

The gecko PDF I will attach also has a setting or a 10 micro step operation. the dead gecko I took out was set at 5, the spare is set at 5 micro steps. Can I set them to 10 for greater steps... Is a greater step setting the same as higher resolution and better smoothing ability? can the motors handle it if so and or do other settings if any would need to be changed on the gecko or elsewhere? at the very least should my G09 be reduced to 5 or 10 if the jumper on the geckos are set to 10 or 5 respectfully?

By the way I ran a totally separate horse file tonight and jog off was less than 1/16 in any direction during any file execution. I think the work we did ---e.g. disconnecting network, securing geckos was a great help!"


joesph, bill reset my smoothing when i first started 3d work on my computer!!



bill's background in operation of cnc is primarily 2d from the sign lettering world and i am sure he has not spent as much time in 3d as i want to! i will return my g9 to a smoother rate and check it out this afternoon we need to enlist george g. on this,



to qoute the manual



"Page 80 win cnc controller manual. G9-smoothing " ...smoothing factor is machine dependent. Stepper machines typically use S5 , servo machines typically use S1."



"machine dependent" not machine fabricator dependent, later today i'll tell you a story of my new highly technical edgebander i bought in 02 and my relationship with stiles machinery (thank god for thier fogiveness)



the most important thing that happened this weekend is you and i (or at least myself) was exposed to learning somthing that in the long run will not only help me but further my learning curve to the next step, i studied wincnc last night!!!


all factors matter and to a little extent a little "perfect storm" was yesterday,
today is monday and the sun is out!!

Cabinet Pro is great ! Frank is adding an option for an alternate graphics engine from Lightworks. It is the same engine used by Cabinet Vision. It's going to be really cool ! He has been working feverishly on the smart cnc rules. This is going to make cnc work really easy because once it's setup you won't need to create and apply definitions everytime you create a custom cabinet. I use Cabinet Pro every day. It's not perfect, but I haven't seen one that is ! You're welcome to come to my shop and try it out. Give me a call or yell at McGrew. He knows how to get hold of me.

we had a big storm here yesterday and i believe the lightning got the cnc computer, win cnc loaded fine on new dells i have and i will update drivers tommorrow, i need to see if the power supply in the controller box i am asking about is sufficent or should i go bigger, it looks like the power supply in the gecko units is overbuilt
big time please advise as i will order in am

jim

Jim,

Well today i have learned that my machine does not like 1/4" material very well, it does not like pieces small than 2" and i need to either cut the edge of the material off or leave more on the out side of the panel.

All of these are vacum hold done problems.

I have my box networked and internet hooked to it and i have only lost my home once and i believe that to be from the machine being moved by a peice that did not hold down.

When i talked with you yesterday we had talked about those being issues with win cnc. if you move the files from another computer to the wincnc computer the network should not cause any issues with memory usage and same with the internet. the amount of power that they are using is minimal at best.

I wonder if the file size being ran should be layered so that joeseph is only using a portion of the complete file at one time Josephs work is very detailed and large when the file is ran is must go to the ram first before it is processed and if when you run the file it causes problems it is not because of the internet or network it is because of the main operation.

Did Joeseph check into beefing up that box because i have also thought of that i do not know if it can be done have not had time to look?

Just a thought

Craig

i am changing computers as i believe i have been zapped bu lightning so tommorrow i'll post photos of mother and daughter board for you to see involvement. i have 6 ini files to analyze for whats best, you may want to see some of them we will get them tuned right!!

call you tommorrow

jim

Per our phone conversation. You should go with the bigger power supply like the one we put on the Cobra box. this will inable you to upgrade steppers at a latter time.
We have been working hard getting ready for the show it is going to be a great IWF.
The new color of the tables is cool

If you need help just call me.

Joey

Hey guys what's up

Well after being glued to my computer for the last 3 days things are looking good.

I am learning fast and things seem to be doing what i want them to most of the time.

For the whole time i was waiting for my machine i was nervous as a whore in church thinking it was going to over whelm me so far it all makes sense.

I think if i had a piece of advice it would be go for it it is only a machine sure you can break it but it can be fixed, if you are scared to use it you will not learn a thing push the limits use common sense and it will do amazing things.

Very happy with my machine v-carve and Cabinet pro can't wait for Franks smart cnc rules to come out hopefully before i get a whole bunch of definitions built.

Another lesson i have learned is if you are going to do the cnc thing than that should be the majority of your job it will make you money. If you do not have the time then hire some one else, it requires most of your brain small mistakes in cnc turn into large dollar mistakes you can only ruin so many sheets of material before things start becoming nonprofitable.

ok done babbling

I do have one question for some one, does v-carve have a COMPLETE training video this is one thing that most software companies suck at? They give you a good overview but do not get into details and situations that are in our normal day to day life as cabinet makers?

Thanx Tish

it's 9:15 here on east coast and i am at shop micro tuning win cnc for carving i have purchased several controller systems just incase i don't succeed as my 1/2 stepper machine is 9 years old but will be brand new in a few days. and actually i have been on phone a lot with bill and a few others, it looks like my carving problems are in my smoothing!!! g gregory has been studying the win cnc and has really opened my eyes to what it can do!!!

probably will upgrade this machine to microsteppers tommorrow any way but i no longer feel i have tooo!! will call

jim

i love my camaster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pleaseeeeeeee!!!!! come to iwf and meet tony mac with us. it is my intent to master vcarve and wincnc, at this point i could care less about cabinetmaking (just kidding) jim

WINCNC INI files

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i am studying the wincnc ini files for what works best in different applications

to any one who is interested please send me your wincnc ini file and i will share results with you

please tell me what you do with your machine!! panels, substrate, 2d, vcarve, 3d etc.

jim mcgrew send pm for email

been a little under the weather this week but will start new controller box this week as all parts are here this monday. have three choices for new controller setup and will reveal more monday,

iwf august 20-23

jim

joey can you think of any raeson i cannot or should not raise my gantry!!

i have a good two more inches of z travel on my truck (remember this machine was built in 2000)

i should be able to add 1" thick stok 2" tall by width and sister plate it together!!!

are you ready to come to cola again?

jim

the file 3d (does not mater which one) will rough out perfect then 3d with ball nose bit will start out perfect but as it reaches 3" or so into file it will begin to stall i am convinced it is in the ini config and is stalling leading to loss of steps, since i am sooo close to completing conversion of machine to micro's i will wait, i ran the same 3d file on bosses machine with no problem

jim


the one in the middle is the best one as the definition of the grape vine tail was perfect

I was having a problem with my z axis. When I tried to set z, I was off .125".
I called Bill and Joey and they had Josh call me. 15 minutes online on my machine and it was corrected ! Unbelieveable ! Thanks Bill Josh and Joey !
I'll see you guys at IWF.
Keith

i cant believe it i have dismantled the controller and actually feel like i know what i am doing!! bill is walking me thru this and i will be putting it back together in am !!

kieth good on ya we got the right gus here

jim

for the gurus who build controller boxes, i am absolutly unsofisticated in this area but i have begun to reassemble the first new box!! it is tedious work to keep up with and fixture all of the wiring involved as well as where it goes and what it does

bill & joey have been walking me through this and today they where gone for the most part, i was stumped on a motor wire translation issue between the old anaheim automation 1/2 stepper box and the new micro stepper drives, got stuck then stared at the old box well lo and behold the diagram is on the cover of the old box

when will i learn the answer is always right in front of you !!!

jim

bill and joey thanks soooo much this is one heck of an experience and i could not do this with out you!!!

so far so good josh thanks for the help with the ini and machine is moving i bellieve i may ad another 12.5 amp powersupply and split the motors as well i believe i have not wired parrallel correctly

Keith,

I am happy to help. You know, this is my first post here on this forum. There are only 12,000 or so posts on this thread for me to sift through. I'm afraid that is more than I'll ever be able to read. Suffice it to say that I appreciate all the good things happening with you guys and your machines, and it's a real pleasure to do business with good people.

P.S. - I found a video that cracked me up. I laughed harder than I have in a while. Check it out and see why laughter really is the best medicine (http://www.joshuaglenn.com/jgblog/index.php/2007/09/22/laughter-the-best-medicine/). And no, it has nothing to do with CNC machines, but if you make it through the first minute, which is sort of slow, you may bust a gut laughing at this one!


I was having a problem with my z axis. When I tried to set z, I was off .125".
I called Bill and Joey and they had Josh call me. 15 minutes online on my machine and it was corrected ! Unbelieveable ! Thanks Bill Josh and Joey !
I'll see you guys at IWF.
Keith

why i just feel like a little controller builder, shy of just two new x&y motors i have now (with the help of camaster) retrofitted my 8 year old camaster with wincnc (installed in january by b glenn and joey) and today finished my new microstepper controller, i purchased new gecko's (210) but sent them to camaster for my new machine i used keling 6050 on this on am am very happy so far so good, josh got on my machine via the net today and finished tuning everything, man that dude knows his stuff!!!

more later just fried a 1/2" bit forgeting that file size and material on table are two different things

YEA!!!!!


boss rocker dropped this horse off today as a gift to bill and all at camaster as his gratitude is showing in his work!!!!!

Ever wish you had a little walking, six-legged robot with a router attached to his mouth? You would lead him around, and watch blissfully as he cut 3-D carvings in your floor?

What's that, Skeptic? ... Hey! Never say never. Just press Play and watch the show, would ya?

Check out the walking CNC Router here. (http://www.joshuaglenn.com/jgblog/index.php/2008/08/05/can-your-router-do-this/)

boss rockers garage sports car

YouTube - camaster cnc bossrocker


large grape carving provided by james booth of vector art 3d and carved with cut 3d (vectric by tony mac and brian) on my new retrofited machine

YouTube - them grapes!!

Remote tech support is the most amazing thing I think I've ever experienced! It's absolutely amazing to watch you move around on my computer and diagnose and repair all the problems. Not only did you update my WinCNC, you helped setup my new computer! Needless to say I fried the old one! I've never heard of another cnc company that offers anything like this. I wish everybody considering a cnc router could experience a Camaster before they make their decision. I'm sure glad I did! Come see mine. I consider myself the Southeastern showroom for Camaster. (self appointed of course). Hey, if you guys would like to place a 5' X 12" machine with a tool changer here for 'demonstration' purposes, I'll be more than happy to clear out a spot !!! See you all in Atlanta. I'll be there Friday and Saturday. Oh yeah,
COOL new screen design!
Keith

hey kieth a 5 foot x 12 inch machine? boy do i make mistakes!!!!!

ther will be a 5x 10 in columbia in the next few weeks here in my shop in addition to the 4x8 i already have !!!!

boss rockers is in irmo sc so thats 4 machines in 30 miles, theres george g in wilmington and paul in charllotte and eric in nashville and craig in s.dakota and a few in fla, several in tenn and a guy from up north michigan or one of those indoor states just ordered his third!!!

jim

this is the panel james booth has provided for me to display at camaster booth IWF 08, after retrofiting the machine and joshes help in tuning it, i am real happy with the results. i used cut 3d for the file and ran it the way it was sent to me, james even taught me to flip it with the software for a right and left effect!!

YouTube - more grapes

cabnet636,

Very nice work!


.

thank you!!

jim

kieth g godwin cabinetworks

various works in play!!

Tom,
Left the shop today all smiles. Look at the clean look of the new yellow COBRA CNC Routers.

Joey

mobil cnc! I love it!
Keith

sorry about the pic kieth you are a lot prettier than that!!

jim

Hey All,
Just wanted to let you know the drive back from Bill's was safe and the CAMaster is out of the trailer and in the garage. Gonna level it tomorrow and try my first cut.....:)
I shot a video unloading it with the help of my neighbors, just got to figure out how to time lapse it to make it shorter..

Would anyone have a dust shoe( aka vaccum collector) file that you email me? Would make a great first project cut.
Thanks!
Tom

tom i'll get you photos of mine in am

jim

file too!!

Tom,

Glad you made it back safely. I'll look you up when I get down there after the show.

Josh Glenn
CAMaster CNC Routers (http://www.camaster.com/)

tom do you have vcarve pro?

jim

back in am edt

tom check your pm message

No jim, just working with whats free on the net right now. Worked with Joey and did some tutorials when I picked up my machine. Vcarve is the way to go.
If you have any pics on how to hook one up, it would be much appreciated.
Tom


tom do you have vcarve pro?

jim

back in am edt

Sounds good Josh
Tom

Tom,

Glad you made it back safely. I'll look you up when I get down there after the show.

Josh Glenn
CAMaster CNC Routers (http://www.camaster.com/)

leaving for atl in 6 hours need sleep!!

will get you info in atl here is photos of old foot

get this from mcmaster carr

2" nylon sweep brush (strip brush) and aluminum holder
cruise back through camaster thread for websites and info on foot i rebuilt mine and posted info somewere

back in am jim

eric your machine is sooo cool it is a real attention getter!! will post pics tommorrow as they are setting up booth and hooking it up

met tony mac and james booth today they came over to the booth and were great to meet i will post pics of james booth tommorrow as well!!

camaster owners and those attending iwf tony and james will give a seminar on thier products on friday at 2:00 pm CAMaster booth 6974 building b

jim

Can't wait to see it! Should be there Thurs morning sometime.

check this out !!!

Man you guy's are looking good! I love the new look also the double post legs.

things are great at the IWF Jim has been doing all the CAMheads well. The Cobra X3 looks great, and the booth, thanks in no small part to Jim and the crew at his shop. We have the best customers on the planet. Just like you fine people (and you know who you are) like to build things we are building a great team. we all have some growing pains but all in all we have a good out look on things. CAMaster with the help of the CAMheads "Are Changing the Shape of things" We have had some people come by the booth and say they have seen the things we are doing and it is because of you. Thanks to all!

Joey Jarrard
CAMaster CNC

tom in fla

here is dust foot

Thanks Jim for the pics!
Looks like the booth is set up very nice!! Wish you all a good time and hope to be there next year. I'm uploading a video on Vimeo on how I unloaded the machine. I'll post the correct link once it finishes.
Tom

Ok heres the link

http://www.vimeo.com/1572530

tom in fla

here is dust foot