The directions.
As I note at the end of these directions, It's easier to make the spoon than describe how to make it. Study the crv and the printed directions, scratch your head, and try air cuts first.
Here are two ways to make wooden spoons by using the moulding tool:
Vectric’s moulding tool is an extremely versatile way to make contoured pieces. This task analysis describes two ways that I made wooden spoons using the moulding tool. The idea and preliminary files were posted about 10 months ago on Vectric’s Forum by Ilwood (Andy and Marty).
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php? ... oden+spoon
My additions to his files are not necessarily the best, or only ways, just two that worked for me.
First, the top, concave side. Note: this side was done using exactly the same method for both spoons that I made.
1. Open a new file and select the two sided option.
2. Draw the outline of the spoon and the spoon bowl.
3. Next decide how wide and deep you want the spoon bowl to be. Draw a rectangle with these dimensions. Draw a curved line representing the cross section of one edge of the bowl within the rectangle. I drew a curved line from corner to diagonal corner.
4. Offset the spoon bowl inward by the width of the rectangle from step 3. This gives the drive rail for the inner curve of the spoon bowl.
5. Use the moulding toolpath and select the drive rail from the previous step, then the curved line from step 3. I use the same tool for both operations. Preview the toolpath. Remember that you can reverse both the drive rail, and the profile if needed.
6. There will be an island in the center of the bowl. To remove it, use the pocket tool, set for the proper depth. Use the drive rail from #4 as the outer edge of the pocket.
7. The handle is made similar to the spoon. Begin by determining the profile as in #3. Offset the handle outward by the width determined. Since the handle is not rounded over around the spoon bowl area, I cut the offset vector at the base of the bowl, and used the node editor to curve the ends away from the spoon. This helped to blend the handle with the bowl.
8. Add two registration holes. I used .25” dia. By .25” deep holes for this step.
9. Preview and reverse vectors if needed.
This ends the top part of both spoons.
Next, the back side using the more difficult, but more versatile method:
Version: Bob’s big spoon.
1. Study the crv file while performing this method. Copy all vectors to the reverse side and switch views to the reverse (domed) side.
2. I used the “set object size tool” to increase the width and height of the profile from the other side by .125”. Don’t forget to flip the profile over for the dome shape to work.
3. I used the same profile as the dish on the previous side to be used as a guide rail for the dome on this side. If you preview the dome at this step you will notice that the handle will be cut off.
4. Fix this by removing the portion of the dome that will cut off the handle. You can do the math, or trial and error. I save time by trial and error. This is a great use for the preview function.
5. Now create the handle the same as the other side.
6. Preview, and notice how the handle does not merge smoothly with spoon dome. In this attempt, I fixed this by extending curved lines from the cut out area of step 4 so that they swept out and away from the handle. This helped to make a smoother transition.
This completes the more difficult method.
Now for the easier method for the back side:
Bob’s big spoon v2.0
(At least it seemed easier for me. Your results may differ.)
1. Again, be sure to study the crv while reading about this method.
2. Use the same method as #2. This time, I used the dome profile for both the handle and dome.
3. I offset the outline of the entire spoon inward the same amount as #3 above. By doing this, there was only one profile calculated instead four. You will need to node edit the areas where the profile overlaps on the handle. You may need to offset the handle by less so that you get a correct looking offset.
4. You may end up with two or more offset areas on the entire spoon. What I did to join them was to draw two parallel lines about 1/64” apart down the center of the spoon. I then edited the dome, and handle offsets with the two center lines so that one continuous line formed the dome, handle and handle end as a closed loop.
5. Use the moulding toolpath to combine the drive rail formed in #3 through #4 with the contour from #2.
6. To cut out the spoon use the profile of the spoon for the profile toolpath. Note: The moulding tool would not generate a clearance cut for this operation. In this case, however, the finishing cut worked well without the clearance toolpath.
For both versions of the spoon, I used tabs on the top of the dished portion, and on the middle of the handle portion. You really have to give a good look at the previews to see how and why this is done. It may seem a little strange, but it works. Try different methods of using tabs if you want the adventure, but be sure to use the preview to check your ideas.
Things I learned from this project:
1. It’s possible to make a wooden spoon by using the moulding toolpath tool.
2. It’s easier to make, than explain how it’s made!
…The end…
Bob