Basic woodworking questions

[Ninjak2k]

I understand mechanical, electrical, and computer things, but I'm a complete novice at woodworking. I have the most basic of questions on how to cut out the various components on the wood router CNC machines.

It seems clear to me that you could use a table saw to cut nice straight pieces for a base, but what tool(s) would you use to cut out the curved gantry sides? Or any piece that has straight and curved edges for that matter? Jig saw or band saw perhaps? Should all straight edges be cut and then curved edges?

Thanks!

~Dan

[ger21]

Yes, a jig saw or bandsaw would work. And yes, I'd cut all the straight edges first, and then layout any holes you need drilled before cutting the curved sections. For angled cuts, you can rough cut them a little big with a jigsaw, then clamp a straight board on your line and route them flush with a bearing guided router bit.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Or rough cut tightly fitting pieces slightly oversize and sand them down to a nice fit.
Im not sure which cnc machine your talking about, if any? The solsylva design I used for my 1st machine can be built with no curves on the machine frame and using very basic tools.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29618

[aspenelm]

another way, make a template using a jigsaw/bandsaw out of 1/4" material. Then use a router with flush cutting bit to make multiple identical copies of the template.

sorry, didnt see gerrys post, similar to it...

[Ninjak2k]

I was specifically thinking about the JGRO machine with the rounded gantry corners. Thanks for the link to the Slosylva build. And thanks all for the suggestions.

~Dan

[HayTay]

Originally Posted by Ninjak2k I was specifically thinking about the JGRO machine with the rounded gantry corners. ~Dan

The easiest way is to leave the corners square! I did. The gantry corners don't have to be rounded as shown in the drawings. It looks a little niftier and professional with the corners rounded, though.

Another option would be to chamfer the corners. This could easily be done with a table, circular, miter, or hand saw. If you don't have access to a jig or band saw as Gerry mentioned, you could use a router, Roto ZIP, or Dremel tool to fillet the corners. You're going to need the router (or similar tool) to mount on your JGRO table when it is finished, anyway. A coping saw would also work.


Just a few more suggestions.

[automizer]

It would be a big help to know that equipment you have available to you? If you know anyone with any sort of wood hobby shop as for help. Seeing it done is far safer then trying to figure out what is said here.

[ZipSnipe]

Here try this site out http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/
Fine Woodworking Magazine - skill building articles, tool reviews, project plans, books
Lots of good tips and ideas.

[Ninjak2k]

Thanks, all!

My tools are pretty limited at this point. Aside from some hand tools, I have a scroll saw, drill press, and finishing sander to work with. So, I really don't have anything to make large cuts with at this point. I was thinking a jig saw would be my best bet, putting straight cuts on factory edges as much as possible.

~Dan

[ger21]

Buy your router for your spindle, and get a bearing guided fluch trimming bit. Then rough cut with a jig saw, and clamp a straightedge (factory cut edge of some scrap)and route flush. That's all you need to get very nice, straight cuts. And after you finish building, you can mount the router in the machine.