coryalex
Active Member
I'm looking for advice from those with experience with CNC Routers/Mills and prop making.
I am seriously considering purchasing a CNC Router for a business venture (making supplies and patterns for industrial equipment and cutting cabinetry components), but I'd like to know how well it can be leveraged in producing detailed replica props from a CAD file.
The props and prop components would be mostly "flat-ish" in nature, but I'd like the machine to complete the details for me as much as possible, so I can do the lion's share of my work on the computer... having the result be as close to "finished" when it comes off the machine as possible.
I already have a good deal of experience with 3D printing (I built both my Vera rifle and Heavy Weapons Guy minigun from TF2 using my Makerbot Replicator, all designed in SketchUp), but I'm looking to use different tools and mediums in my craft... and I think a CNC Router is the next logical step.
I'm currently looking at this machine...
http://www.lagunatools.com/cnc/Swift-CNC-Router_8
It has a work area of 48" x 48" and has a 6" gantry height.
I'm also looking at VCarve Pro as my software package. (I'd like to design in SketchUp where possible, but you can make things directly in VCarve for cutting, too)
So, does anyone have any experience to share with me on equipment (specific style, manufacturier, features)? or software (type, brand, or other)?
I'd love to pick the brains of those who have already blazed a trail down this path and not reinvent the wheel, if possible.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance in my decision making.
I am seriously considering purchasing a CNC Router for a business venture (making supplies and patterns for industrial equipment and cutting cabinetry components), but I'd like to know how well it can be leveraged in producing detailed replica props from a CAD file.
The props and prop components would be mostly "flat-ish" in nature, but I'd like the machine to complete the details for me as much as possible, so I can do the lion's share of my work on the computer... having the result be as close to "finished" when it comes off the machine as possible.
I already have a good deal of experience with 3D printing (I built both my Vera rifle and Heavy Weapons Guy minigun from TF2 using my Makerbot Replicator, all designed in SketchUp), but I'm looking to use different tools and mediums in my craft... and I think a CNC Router is the next logical step.
I'm currently looking at this machine...
http://www.lagunatools.com/cnc/Swift-CNC-Router_8
It has a work area of 48" x 48" and has a 6" gantry height.
I'm also looking at VCarve Pro as my software package. (I'd like to design in SketchUp where possible, but you can make things directly in VCarve for cutting, too)
So, does anyone have any experience to share with me on equipment (specific style, manufacturier, features)? or software (type, brand, or other)?
I'd love to pick the brains of those who have already blazed a trail down this path and not reinvent the wheel, if possible.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance in my decision making.