basic question re: moving workpiece

[ratter2]

I'm about to take the plunge and order my first CNC router. The budget is very tight, so I'm going small, and so I have a very basic question. Is it possible/advisable when necessary, to move the workpiece on the table to allow for the use of a larger workpiece than the table size allows?

For example, if the table is 30" long and my workpiece is 40". Can I perform one procedure, unclamp, move the workpiece, then perform another procedure?

Is this commonly done? Are there common methods for re-indexing the machine to the piece?

Sorry for the very noob question. But I'm just interested to know if my initial investment will have at least a little room to grow. Thanks!

[HuFlungDung]

It should theoretically be possible. What you might want to consider is making a subplate to sit on top of the original tabletop. Drill some dowel holes through the subplate and into the table with as much precision in spacing and diameter as you can muster. If you were to space the dowel holes at 6" centers, then you'd have the option of lifting the whole subplate (leaving the part undisturbed), move it along to the next dowel hole position (6" indexing), fasten it back down and continue machining it.

Now you would not do this within one program, because you'd need to reset the part datum after you move the part. The easiest way for the noob to do this, is to also reposition the part in your cadcam, bringing the farther reaches of the part nearer to the origin, so that when you create toolpaths, the XY numbers are within range of your table travels.

[ratter2]

Thanks very much for the reply. You pretty much confirmed what I was thinking - that it's possible as long as a) the placement is precise and b) you wouldn't do it mid-program.

The machine I have in mind is the smaller Rockler Shark. If it had 5 more inches of Y travel, it would cover most all of my needs. Then again, looking at the photo of it online, it doesn't look like it would be a big deal to construct a longer table/rails for it...

[ger21]

If you're confident in your skills, you could buy a kit for a Joes 2006 machine and build it for less than the cost of the Shark. You might even be able to build the 4x4 hybrid for the same price, or close to it.

www.joescnc.com

Keep in mind that the software will be extra, as I think the Shark comes with some? Do some research.

[ratter2]

If you're confident in your skills, you could buy a kit for a Joes 2006 machine and build it for less than the cost of the Shark. You might even be able to build the 4x4 hybrid for the same price, or close to it.

www.joescnc.com

Keep in mind that the software will be extra, as I think the Shark comes with some? Do some research.

Thanks, yeah. The Joe machine looks awesome and I have given it thought and lots of reading. And I will undoubtedly need to go bigger in the future. But I've decided that I'm not really interested in going the DIY route right now. I just don't really want to devote the time to it - too many things pulling me in different directions - so at least right now I'd rather pay more for a turnkey solution even if it won't have as long a useful lifespan...