CNC engraving

[sdeering]

I just finished a project for a fellow member.
It's on a 1911 slide and is an actual signature.
It was a fun learning project. 4th axis is on the way for barrels.
Enjoy
Stephen

 

[guntech]

If one had no equipment and had to purchase equipment to do this, what would the cost be?

roughly...?

 

[sdeering]

I'm no expert. A new CNC mill 50000$
An older one 2000
Retrofit to a new controle 2000.
4th axis 1000$
Software 100 to 20000
It depends how DIY one is.
Stephen

 

[Armedsask]

sdeering's prices are about right. However, tooling is going to cost about as much as the machine by the time you are done.

I wouldn't trust $100 software to do nice engraving like that. What program did you use to translate the hand written signature to code?

 

[sdeering]

Actually the software that controles the mill is 160$ MACH 3.

I used mastercam to apply a toolpath to the signature.
I think I could have used MACH 3 for all of it but I havent spent much time with that side of MACH3.
Hears the old mill before removing 500lbs of old electronics.
Stephen

 

[mooncoon]

It is disgusting how tidy your shop is :>) :>) Please throw some clutter about so the rest of us don't feel guilty.

cheers mooncoon

 

[Al Flipo]

As we all know, cleanliness is considered to be next to godliness..
And a small two-axis import machine is not a great deal of money and would do nicely for engraving the flat stuff.

Pic of my clean lathe.

 

[Allen Gun Works]

It is disgusting how tidy your shop is :>) :>) Please throw some clutter about so the rest of us don't feel guilty.

cheers mooncoon

I will post a pic of mine to make you feel better.

 

[sdeering]

Ya I wish it stayed that way mooncoon. Nice lathe Flipo

 

[guntech]

I'm no expert. A new CNC mill 50000$
An older one 2000
Retrofit to a new controle 2000.
4th axis 1000$
Software 100 to 20000
It depends how DIY one is.
Stephen

So really not a feasible way for the majority of smiths wishing to mark a barrel...

I'll have to continue to use my stamps...

 

[sdeering]

Not really just to mark a barrel, but think of all the other opportunities.

 

[PEI ROB]

An older mill for $2000? WHERE?

 

[BigUglyMan]

So really not a feasible way for the majority of smiths wishing to mark a barrel...

You could always send them to Rick for marking. Once the code is written is should be simple...non?

 

[Ian Robertson]

If you are only engraving and the like a very small cnc router would do the job. You would still be into close to 10k with software and hardware and that is doing it the smart way instead of the expensive way, plus a steep learning curve. I have all I need and more and I think it would be easier to stamp a barrel.

 

[sdeering]

I bought the above one for 1200$ central alberta.
The older CNC bridgeports go cheep because they are old school controls.
once retrofitted with newer stuff they are quite usable.
STephen