Not often do I make something that is allowed to stay in the house, normally is suggested that it might look better in the office. When I brought home the examples I made of Mark Lindsay's inlay project something was a bit different. Before I knew it there was a round of in-house testing happening and the request to have more made.
A friend of mine dropped off a stack of various pieces of wood and one of the slabs spoke to me.
"Hey, I bet I'd make a nice drink coaster, like that fancy one over there with the rose compass on it! What do ya think?" it said...
or maybe that was my wife standing behind me?
I figured it would be easy enough to do but really didn't have the time to spend on the in-lay part (needed to be cut in a short time, no time for the glue to dry). I took the file we include with the Compass Rose Inlay project and rejiggered it. Really all that was needed to be done was to resave off the toolpaths leaving out the ones that were used for the inlay.
I planned to cut two of them but in my haste to get everything cut on my lunch break I cut the top one a bit close to the edge and there just happened to be a hole in the wood... so that one will need a little TLC to fix up (but I kind of like the way it looks... not perfect).
After a bit of sanding at home and an application of Boos Block (used for cutting boards so it is food safe), I have to say it looks really nice!
There are some obvious things that make this project a winner for me:
- The original project is easy to edit and make my own
- The project was cut in a material that is heavy (oak)
- The armrests on my couch are flat and not too squishy
- It was fast to make and easy to finish
- It is super useful, looks nice
and
- They can stay in my house and become something we use for years! That is the true sign of a great project... it will become part of our story!
If you are interested in giving one of these a go here is a link to the free project I edited:
https://www.vectric.com/vectric-communi ... sRoseInlay
For material, I used a 1" cutoff of oak and just 2 cutters (.25" ball nose endmill and a .25" end mill). Sanded it by hand with 220 and 120 grit sandpaper, if I recall correctly, and of course one application of Boose Block (will need another put on this evening).
Looking forward to putting up my feet later tonight and break the coaster in!!!
I'd be interested in knowing what your favorite project is that you made and is still being used by you or your family. Just post a pic below and let me know why.
Thanks for reading!
They loved it... so I made another!
- Todd Bailey
- Vectric Staff
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- Model of CNC Machine: CraftCNC
- Contact:
They loved it... so I made another!
------------------------------------
Todd Bailey | Design and Make
DesignAndMake.com
Todd Bailey | Design and Make
DesignAndMake.com
- scottp55
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
- Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
NICE thread Todd!!
Useful and related to Coffee!
You know me....not many Useful things that I make,
BUT my first useful thing also had a coffee holder.
Being in a wheelchair,
my very first setup didn't even have a Place for a coffee cup and was AWKWARD! Then we ordered a second Desktop from Shopbot when Dad almost died,
and we demanded (kinda), that it be shipped in a Maker Crate like they used for trade shows.
Soo, Off went Bill Young and TJ to Bills shop in January during a polar vortex day:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuh4rkmoaQw
Funny watching them make MY crate in cold weather:)
(the one they showed making in vid, they sanded through the thin maple veneer...
and Bill called it a reject, and went out to buy thick veneer ply).
I'd gotten a couple of very odd emails asking wheelchair width and my leg height??
Turns out Bill decided to add a wheelchair cutout GRATIS (That's Bill and TJ for you!)...
and we wound up with extra pieces on the Limestone machine
(which I grabbed, and then bought the flat packed "reject" for My shop)
BUT still barely enough room for a coffee cup, AND awkward in the wheelchair! So I did my first Tile job, my first big use of the Fluting toolpath and the parts and pieces from the 'Crate. NOW I can slide under the machine and the computer shelf....
AND swivel it so my coffee can be reached from 3 work stations!
My back and taste buds have thanked me every day since! Next time I make something "Useful" I'll alert the Press:)
As Bill would say, you've Got a CNC, "Make it your own Damn self!!"
NICE Todd!
Useful and related to Coffee!
You know me....not many Useful things that I make,
BUT my first useful thing also had a coffee holder.
Being in a wheelchair,
my very first setup didn't even have a Place for a coffee cup and was AWKWARD! Then we ordered a second Desktop from Shopbot when Dad almost died,
and we demanded (kinda), that it be shipped in a Maker Crate like they used for trade shows.
Soo, Off went Bill Young and TJ to Bills shop in January during a polar vortex day:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuh4rkmoaQw
Funny watching them make MY crate in cold weather:)
(the one they showed making in vid, they sanded through the thin maple veneer...
and Bill called it a reject, and went out to buy thick veneer ply).
I'd gotten a couple of very odd emails asking wheelchair width and my leg height??
Turns out Bill decided to add a wheelchair cutout GRATIS (That's Bill and TJ for you!)...
and we wound up with extra pieces on the Limestone machine
(which I grabbed, and then bought the flat packed "reject" for My shop)
BUT still barely enough room for a coffee cup, AND awkward in the wheelchair! So I did my first Tile job, my first big use of the Fluting toolpath and the parts and pieces from the 'Crate. NOW I can slide under the machine and the computer shelf....
AND swivel it so my coffee can be reached from 3 work stations!
My back and taste buds have thanked me every day since! Next time I make something "Useful" I'll alert the Press:)
As Bill would say, you've Got a CNC, "Make it your own Damn self!!"
NICE Todd!
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.
R.N.
- Todd Bailey
- Vectric Staff
- Posts: 624
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:40 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: CraftCNC
- Contact:
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
Hey Scott!!!!
OK... first off... I had never seen this Maker Crate idea. Really love that the crate you get your CNC in can be used as a table to put your CNC on or switched into a desk! Well thought out Bill and TJ!
Also what a great pair of guys going the extra mile to me it so that your chair could fit under it.
Again... I really love the live edge "trays" and "work surface" you added to yours (and of course the coffee holder... could not live without that!).
Thanks so much for posting this Scott... Its inspiring!
OK... first off... I had never seen this Maker Crate idea. Really love that the crate you get your CNC in can be used as a table to put your CNC on or switched into a desk! Well thought out Bill and TJ!
Also what a great pair of guys going the extra mile to me it so that your chair could fit under it.
Again... I really love the live edge "trays" and "work surface" you added to yours (and of course the coffee holder... could not live without that!).
Thanks so much for posting this Scott... Its inspiring!
------------------------------------
Todd Bailey | Design and Make
DesignAndMake.com
Todd Bailey | Design and Make
DesignAndMake.com
- scottp55
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
- Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
Yep Todd,
Those "dovetailed" corner pieces are wicked strong, and just flat cutting everything else with t-nuts and furniture connection bolts is Easy assembly. Bill used that joint for a few things!
Flat cut and strong. Never played with the Dovetail Creator...can it make flat cuts I wonder?
I wanted one even before I got the machine, but was told they were only made for trade shows. Ha! Worked perfect for state fairs and a week long craft event with the big casters on dirt!
Did NOT work well when wound clinic said I had to stay in bed with foot higher than my heart
for 6-8 weeks! Put my foot on my monoski crutch pole to abide by Drs orders,
BUT knocked 2 full coffees on the floor in one morning....coffee was then on drill press in lower right. Kind of amazed I haven't seen any of the wonderful boxes and other stuff I've seen here!!
All I did was cut some stuff in a slab cut off.
Looking forward to more pics of stuff!!
Pretty Neat for a "Lunch" cut Todd!
Those "dovetailed" corner pieces are wicked strong, and just flat cutting everything else with t-nuts and furniture connection bolts is Easy assembly. Bill used that joint for a few things!
Flat cut and strong. Never played with the Dovetail Creator...can it make flat cuts I wonder?
I wanted one even before I got the machine, but was told they were only made for trade shows. Ha! Worked perfect for state fairs and a week long craft event with the big casters on dirt!
Did NOT work well when wound clinic said I had to stay in bed with foot higher than my heart
for 6-8 weeks! Put my foot on my monoski crutch pole to abide by Drs orders,
BUT knocked 2 full coffees on the floor in one morning....coffee was then on drill press in lower right. Kind of amazed I haven't seen any of the wonderful boxes and other stuff I've seen here!!
All I did was cut some stuff in a slab cut off.
Looking forward to more pics of stuff!!
Pretty Neat for a "Lunch" cut Todd!
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.
R.N.
- TomWS
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 350
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:06 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: OB Lead 1010, Mach3; OB C-Beam 1060 grbl
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
LOL! I'm sure that was what the Dr. had in mind!
That configuration probably could generate a whole new category of OSHA requirements (between what heights you should and shouldn't put coffee, or paint thinner, etc.)
Thanks for the morning dose of smiles!
That configuration probably could generate a whole new category of OSHA requirements (between what heights you should and shouldn't put coffee, or paint thinner, etc.)
Thanks for the morning dose of smiles!
- scottp55
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
- Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
Hey Tom:)
When you get an order for 144 key fobs from a new customer in Camden at $10 a pop...Ya do it! Bonnie(button finisher) thought it was so funny she took a pic:)
(I DID take off the crampon tips at least:)
NOT what they're usually used for;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by6-ldGgzm0
I LIKE those thingys on the sides of the bucket that hadn't been invented yet,
OR as the girl says "You go Down....ALL the way down!"
Sold my 180cm slalom ski and skipped the bumps because of that,
bought titanium 210cm...and Cruised the smoother expert and intermediates every Thursday for 8 yrs.
Let's SEE some more projects Please!
When you get an order for 144 key fobs from a new customer in Camden at $10 a pop...Ya do it! Bonnie(button finisher) thought it was so funny she took a pic:)
(I DID take off the crampon tips at least:)
NOT what they're usually used for;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by6-ldGgzm0
I LIKE those thingys on the sides of the bucket that hadn't been invented yet,
OR as the girl says "You go Down....ALL the way down!"
Sold my 180cm slalom ski and skipped the bumps because of that,
bought titanium 210cm...and Cruised the smoother expert and intermediates every Thursday for 8 yrs.
Let's SEE some more projects Please!
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.
R.N.
- TomWS
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 350
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:06 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: OB Lead 1010, Mach3; OB C-Beam 1060 grbl
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
As nice as your finish is, coming off the router, I suspect Bonnie doesn't have much to do! Nice job."Bonnie(button finisher) thought it was so funny she took a pic:)"
I probably know that shop in Camden. About 30 mins from my Summer place in Belfast.
Good work, as always!
Tom
- scottp55
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
- Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US
Re: They loved it... so I made another!
"Once a Tree" in Camden....NICE shop to get into!
There are always some fuzz at 45 degrees to the grain on one side at least(and the sharp edge of cutout).
Top and bottom sanded to 600G....had to get close to that on the sides.
Wound up with 7-9 spiral passes on .2-.23" thick stock and last pass of .01".
THEN we got down to 1 minute a button sanding the edges(from 3-5 minutes with rejects).
Thanks to about the only other practical thing I've ever made...
a Foredom stand adjustable for 2 sitting people and one standing person.
Detuned "Fine" 3M loaded for wet finishing...first 1/8" is like 400G/second 1/8" like 320G/and deeper
is more like a 220G. Takes a fine touch.
There are always some fuzz at 45 degrees to the grain on one side at least(and the sharp edge of cutout).
Top and bottom sanded to 600G....had to get close to that on the sides.
Wound up with 7-9 spiral passes on .2-.23" thick stock and last pass of .01".
THEN we got down to 1 minute a button sanding the edges(from 3-5 minutes with rejects).
Thanks to about the only other practical thing I've ever made...
a Foredom stand adjustable for 2 sitting people and one standing person.
Detuned "Fine" 3M loaded for wet finishing...first 1/8" is like 400G/second 1/8" like 320G/and deeper
is more like a 220G. Takes a fine touch.
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.
R.N.