CNC Machines for prop making

Gattaca

Gattaca

Well-Known Member
I posted this over in General Models, maybe more luck here.

Does anyone here use or own a CNC machine? A friend of mine bought one from Shapeoko and their website looks good; http://www.shapeoko.com/
I'm thinking of buying one for my models and props but wanted to see what others are using and how they find them to work with.
Looking to spend around $600 so I'm talking about kits or hobby size machines, not big industrial ones.
 
"CNC machine" just means a machine with Computer Numerical Control. I'm assuming you mean a CNC router given the link you posted. First question is do you actually have a use for it? If your friend has one, and you're just needing to use one occasionally, can you use his?
 
I could use one, I build props and models. My friend lives far away, but I could have him make stuff for me I suppose. I just like to have my own tools. I was mostly curious if anyone has any insight to this method of machining materials for props. Lots of people looking at the post but no reply's tells me not too many people use these routers.
 
Well I don't use CNC currently but didn't want you to feel ignored...I'm sure people do use them...but it's useful to perhaps recognize the surrounding skills that can be involved with their use...
Example: to achieve success you need to know things about the medium...so if it's CNC wood, turning speeds, metal...mill types. Then there are tool paths to consider, and translating 3d models into gcode or verifying it.

That may be the reason perhaps not as many do...but they are awesome!! And the tech gap just keeps closing too! Best of luck! [emoji6]
 
Thanks Miker, I hadn't thought of those things. Didn't know about them either, I guess I thought it would be like the 3D printers, where the software took care of that sort of thing. Perhaps I'll stick to my old school methods until things change. Although it looks like 3D printing is the way of the future anyway.
 
CNC devices are just tools. They may make life easier for some things, but the idea that it's all plug-and-play is a line salesmen give to potential buyers.
 
Someone probably said the same thing about milling machines once. "It's just a fancy file....you still have to do lots fo work to make anything real."
 
OldSkoolEffects said:
CNC devices are just tools. They may make life easier for some things, but the idea that it's all plug-and-play is a line salesmen give to potential buyers.
Click to expand...

My friend has as shop that has one. I always go poke it and say "C'mon... Do stuff." and nothing happens. I should say "friend" because apparently it's for "business" and not for cool stuff. :lol
 
I purchased a Shapeoko 2 for myself earlier this year. As someone who had zero experience with any kind of CNC router, the process of assembling it and getting it running properly was pretty easy. About 15 hours total from it arriving in a box to running the first test code. Everything is documented very well and is written so that the average person can quickly start making things.

It's a little above your $600 budget and you WILL want to upgrade the knockoff Dremel to something with a little more power pretty soon after getting it set up, so that's going to be another ~$100. The size is also something that you may want to upgrade. I've already had to struggle with the workspace limitation already, but Inventables sells long aluminum slides and bigger wasteboards so making it bigger is just a matter of throwing more money at it.
 
What's funny is I'm hoping to get my feet wet on a Tormach PCNC 1100 today...but the project I'm working on isn't up to finished CAD yet so I'm scratching my head trying to think of what I can model and generate tool paths for in the next four hours or so. Plus breakfast.
 
You could get just the machine for $600. The controller and CNC software for generating the code that's where it gets $$ for something with some control and flexibility. Mach3 is the go to for controller software, and CNC software... for hobby grade stuff LinuxCNC, MeshCAM, BobCAD....

I've been kicking the idea of getting a bench top CNC for a while, every time I go to pull the trigger something go sideways, like rebuilding the transmission in my car :-/...

I'm looking at one from Zen Tool works http://www.zentoolworks.com
 
We have a pretty sizeable one at my school, but im yet to make use of it. I'm considering it for a project coming up soon, if it works out well, I'll let you guys know. Thus far the bulk of the problems we've had with the cnc router is just with reliability in it's set up.
 
Some people are able to do some pretty neat stuff with CNCs and more so it seems with Carvewrights (or however they are spelled)
I have a Shapeoko 2 and barely use it, I have project that will make use of it soon, but overall, figure out the 3d modelling parts first.
The 40 watt hobby laser I have access to gets WAY more use, but is 6x more expensive.
I'm hoping to made a little more progress getting used to the shapeoko, but almost immediately you will want to start throwing on upgrades, better spindle (all in I think that comes to an extra $250) also you will probably want it at LEAST 2x the size.
That said the stock machine can cut 6062 aluminum ... it just takes hours and soooo much cutting oil.
 
I've had a cnc router in our modelmaking workshop for eighteen years and couldn't do without it.
It’s not as quick as a laser but it will cut a much wider range of materials, including acrylic, Foamex (Sintra), modelboard of all grades, mdf and non ferrous metals.
It will also cut to a set depth which the laser won’t – I don’t mean engraving depth.
The cutters we use range from 0.4mm to 15mm so it’s pretty versatile and capable of very intricate work.
Are you thinking of cutting flat pieces or 3d shapes?
There’s definitely more involved with 3D but it’s getting easier all the time at this level.
For that sort of money I think it’s worth having a go!
 
If I was setting up a prop shop I'd get a 2.5d router (ShopBot, Carvewright, etc.) first. CNC mill later.
 
I don't have, nor have I had CNC machines in my machine shop.. just hand operated lathe & milling machines, but I've used CNC services enough to warrant obtaining my own machines.

Being the 'I needed it yesterday' type, I just started the physical build of my CNC Router. The work area will be X:153cm x Y:125cm x Z:20cm... but it's overall footprint will be 190cm x 160cm. I plan to use this quite a bit in several projects including making components for my 80w CNC Laser build. I thought about buying one, but local ones are ridiculously expensive and not even going to attempt to order from China. Friend of mine ordered a "ready to ship", CNC Plasma table with expedited 15-day shipping from China for 9000 Euros.... 6 months ago. The kicker of it all is, the ready-to-ship CNC table, aside from being shipped 3 months late, is sitting in Greece at the shipping companies warehouse. The Chinese company wont release the papers to the shipping company unless my friend hands over an additional 1900 in shipping costs in addition to the shipping companies fees of 1200 for unpacking the container it was in and 30 euros a day for the last 2 months in warehousing fees. I don't even remotely need any kind of drama like that. I can build my machine faster than that and for less money. ;)

Some other details of my CNC Router... 2.2kw (2.9hp) spindle with inverter, 3x 1232oz NEMA 34 motors, 4x 25mm guide rails for X axis 4x 20mm guide rails for Y (2) and Z (2)...
 
Last edited:
Pro Mod said:
I've had a cnc router in our modelmaking workshop for eighteen years and couldn't do without it.
It’s not as quick as a laser but it will cut a much wider range of materials, including acrylic, Foamex (Sintra), modelboard of all grades, mdf and non ferrous metals.
It will also cut to a set depth which the laser won’t – I don’t mean engraving depth.
The cutters we use range from 0.4mm to 15mm so it’s pretty versatile and capable of very intricate work.
Are you thinking of cutting flat pieces or 3d shapes?
There’s definitely more involved with 3D but it’s getting easier all the time at this level.
For that sort of money I think it’s worth having a go!
Click to expand...

With your set up what program do you use, or recommend for the cut path. I'm still fuzzy on that part. I use a 3D printer now, I build my object in Tinkercad, copy it to the printer and press Make It, simple as that. I take it the CNC is not so simple. I'd like to cut both flat and 3D objects one day, but for now just learning about the whole system.
 
I use CamBam for the 3d model > cutfile process. That process is known as CAM, as is the software that is used. Mach3 used to include a basic 2D cam package, but I'm not sure if it still does.
 
I just took a quick look at the CamBam tutorials, it's beyond me. I think I'll be passing on a CNC machine for now, I learned what I needed to know, I'll be sticking with my old school methods. I was thinking of buying a milling machine to go with my lathe, maybe I'll get one and stick with what I know.
 
Gattaca,
My cut path is simple in that after saving my drawing in the usual way I then simply export it as a .plt file type
I then open the machine software and open the file; it's as simple as that.
I'm then input some basic information - tool diameter, what offset is required (tool inside, outside or on the drawn line), material thickness and how deep the cut is to be.
I then do a tool set which means aligning the end of the tool against the surface of the machine bed.
Then depending on the material I'm cutting and the diameter of the tool I input the travel speed and the rpm of the router.
The machine came with a chart of suggested cutter / material types and feed speeds which was very useful in the begining, but after a short period of time you quickly learn what works best depending on what you’re cutting at the time.
The whole set up time is a couple of minutes - honest!
 
This thread is more than 8 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.

Similar threads

APropOr2
Replicating fake postage for a prop package
Replies
4
Views
578
smithjohnj
S
SamIAmNot
Tips and advice for making wands from found sticks.
Replies
4
Views
458
SamIAmNot
SamIAmNot
renaissance_man
Farscape Scanner prop
Replies
2
Views
154
renaissance_man
renaissance_man
T
looking for prop 3D printed sci-fi guns
Replies
5
Views
884
xeno
xeno
Z
Getting SFX from film for a prop
Replies
2
Views
516
zmaster
Z
Back
Top