Router engaver info

[hylander]

Anyone know anything about these.
I would to get a unit and start doing engraving and other projects.
Not laser.

[hylander]

No One ?

I'm looking at this unit.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/160958/cnc-piranha.aspx

[jericho89]

Just remember that the software is a trial software and they usually only allow a limited number of code lines. I have both cad and sign software and you will spend just as much on the software as you will on the hardware. To pay for itself you have to hustle to make that investment back. If you are not worried about the expense and have a few thousand to spend then that is not a bad unit. But if you are looking to just engrave a few things it is cheaper to just farm it out.

If you do get one make sure to practice on a scrap piece before you hit the real thing. MDF board is a great substrate to practice on and do not forget a sacrificial piece of material on the deck. Nothing sucks more then to damage bits and your deck by going to deep. Also invest in good hold down clamps, or make some. I made some from a simple pattern from the net and converted to gcode that worked real nice. They are made from MDF also so that when you get to close to them and accidently nick them they are cheap, sacrificial, and will not damage your bits.

I personally did not invest into equipment and software that would not eventually pay for itself.

[jericho89]

[hylander]

Thanks, my plan is to make this a side business of some sorts

[jericho89]

That is what I use mine for also. I made it pay for itself. Factor in the cost of bits, since you will break end mills sooner or later and dull out the engraving bits. It was hard to get up to speed and feel comfortable taking someone else's property and make them happy. That is key everyone has grand ideas of what it should look like when it is done and that is very hard to live up to.

[hylander]

That is what I use mine for also. I made it pay for itself. Factor in the cost of bits, since you will break end mills sooner or later and dull out the engraving bits. It was hard to get up to speed and feel comfortable taking someone else's property and make them happy. That is key everyone has grand ideas of what it should look like when it is done and that is very hard to live up to.

True, I want to make sure any customers I have will be happy, priority #1.
Can I ask what machine you use ?

[jericho89]

I made my own. Run it through Mach3 software from my desktop. I had access to a full size CNC and was able to use it to make a table top one.

[hylander]

Getting closer to pulling the trigger on this unit.
Comes with Laser engraver module.
It comes with VCarve Desktop V8 Design software that is not a trial version.

http://www.rockler.com/cnc-piranha-fx-with-laser-engraving-module