first piece

[tom klass]

Finally figured out how to run it. This is the first piece I tried to make, it's out of dougles fir just to see if I'm doing it right. I have an order for the real one which will be cedar. Thanks Joey for talking me into the spindle can't beleave how quit it is. The double face tape popped loose which caused a groove in the paw. I've got to figure a better way to hold the stock down since the piece is 25 x 35.

[Mick Martin]

GREAT JOB Tom

[neal_meyers_jr]

Very good! Double face works sometime. Search for hold down on this forum and you will see MANY MANY ways to hold stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xray]

Might want to screw right into the spoilboard until you come up with a better method.
1.5 years down the road and 100's of cuts, thats all I ever used. Tape is unreliable, as you have found out ,,, Especially with heavy stock.

[tonywish]

Your work looks very good. I used everything known to man to hold down my pieces. I found that the Rockler stuff works best. I used the Harbor Freight and Grizzly and it was terrible. Screws didn't fit or slide easily in the slotted aluminum and they were flimsier than the Rockler pieces.

I made my table similar to Mick Martin's and found that it works great for all of my pieces. He has a picture of his somewhere on this forum.

Tony

[Charlie_L]

I've got to figure a better way to hold the stock down since the piece is 25 x 35.

I have some of the Rockler clamps, but I like the home made ones better. They are made from scrap 3/4 oak. About 9 inches long or shorter. A slight angle on the clamping surface. They are more adjustable than the Rockler when you need to reach the work piece from the distant T slot. The longer ones work well for thicker stock while a six inch clamp would be enough for most pieces.

[tom klass]

Thanks for checking my post out. I really appreciate the suggestion for hold downs. I'll see on the next one how it works out.

[richf]

Charlie, I like your homemade clamps. I'd especially like those if the bit accidentally hits them. Did you make those by hand or did you CNC them from both sides?

I use double sided duct type quite a bit. I make sure to use a downcut spiral and to go fairly slow when holding with tape alone. If the piece is warped at all, then won't work so well.

[Charlie_L]

Did you make those by hand or did you CNC them from both sides?

I used the CNC just to cut the slot. Aspire file attached. I set the table saw at a slight angle to cut the ends. Once an awhile you have to use regular tools, just to keep them dusted off. If you get it wrong you can just throw away and start over. Width of the wood varies from 1 3/8 to 1 5/8 for mine. Dependent on the scraps available at the time.

[T.R.MacMunn]

I really like your sign Tom. Nice......... very nice!

May I offer up a suggestion ? Your lettering isn't centred & you should probably make the lettering a bit smaller ( or the panel it's in a bit bigger) because it's pretty tight in there. This is what's known as "negative space" & it's as important as anything in designing a sign.
You're off to a great start.
TR

[tom klass]

Thanks TR any and all suggestion are greatly appreciated. I was hoping you would take a look and offer your wisdom as you are the master (No brown nosing here)