B B Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 What do you consider to be the best CNC bait-making wood-carving machines that cost no more than $1400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I'm not sure but I don't think you can touch one for $1400! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I agree with Hughesy, this sort of caper needs money thrown at it. Others have been down this road, sorry cannot remember user names. You are limited to machining two halves, to be glued together, which may not be a bad thing. But, the main drawback is the machining time and you are still left with surface finish problems to solve. If you are mechanically savvy enough to be thinking this route, then you are probably capable of designing and building a duplicator. Yes, you have to make the master by hand, but the reproduction times are down to 2 or 3 minutes. You can probably make the machine for a couple hundred too. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Moreau Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I wish I was savy enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted February 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 Hobby 3D CNC technology already exists, and several free 3D software design tools are currently available, so it seems that a lure-making machine could be plausible for people wanting to pursue making their own baits in an automated fashion. The cost of the associated table-top equipment; however, might indeed be twice the originally posted number.. If there were such a machine, and it were capable of CNCing only balsa wood, how many do you think could be sold at a $2,800 price point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking 56 Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I tried using a lathe on a hardwood blank that I would've normally shaped with a belt sander. I was really surprised at the results. It cuts sanding time by about 75% I've been trying to post a pic of this unfinished lure just to give you an idea but it's not accepting the pic even after being re-sized. If you're interested PM me your email and I'll gladly send you a pic. s54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowFISH Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I have a small CNC Taig I use for cutting baits and molds... It takes alot more time than you'd think between CAD modeling the bait, programing the machining of the parts and then actually cutting them. The Taig is a pretty good all around machine and there are a few people selling them ready to connect to a computer that would cut balsa baits with no issue. You'd still need software (CAD) to generate you baits, plus software to run the CNC mill, a computer and mills, clamps, etc. You can probably get a pretty good setup for $3500... if you check EBAY you might find something used for a bit cheaper.... 1400 would be real tough unless you went with something fairly cheap and small like a MAxNC 5.... but you'd be limited with a machine like that. The real benefit of CNC is repeatability.... otherwise it's fairly time consuming and with smaller machine speed and size is an issue. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAngler Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hello Guys and Gals - I'm new to this forum and lure making in general, although I am not new to fishing or rapid prototyping. I think I can provide some avenues of support for this topic from my design engineering background. One option for subtractive machining (CNC) would be a small, low horsepower tabletop unit. Ive had my eyes on this model for some time now. DIYCNC.com For under 1000.00 you can have a prebuilt unit ready to go (minus software) Another option would be calling a rapid prototyping firm (SLA, FDM, etc), I use Laser Reproductions here in columbus on a weekely basis. Great guys and pretty cost effective for making molds if you value your time at all. Google them and check out their capabilities. Here's the catch, no matter what you will need a CAD file to send to your own machine, or a rapid prototyping firm. I dont want to break any forum rules with this post by selling my services or advertising. All I will say to you is PM me if you would be interested getting help making molds, baits, or CAD file generation. I am in process of taking someones carved bait and recreating it in CAD so that a master can be made as well as a mold. I essentially do this process for a living, just not with fishing lures but maybe someday! Here's a couple pictures of what I have done with a couple of my own designs, these are built with a 3D printer(google it if your new to this technology!!). First timer here, be gentle haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 The 3D CAD program of interest here is the free "123D Design" program by AutoDesk (the folks that make AutoCAD). Thus far, the initial assessment of 123D Design indicates that it is quite easy to use compared to other free 3D CAD programs previously investigated (e.g., Blender). OhioAngler - Which 3D printer do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAngler Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 B B - I have direct access to a Dimension Printer, its about 8 years old but with a resolition of .010" a little bit of sanding is all the prep required for painting. Also, with the CAD software, I use Solidworks and Pro E. Both being very expensive for the average Joe, but very powerful for surfacing detail that making a quality lure requires. I am not saying it cant be done with free software, just might require some practice. Ive been using CAD for 8 years now and it still causes me headaches at times. Dont give up if your new to it! A little practice goes a long ways! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 OhioAngler - We have more in common than you may have guessed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 One option for subtractive machining (CNC) would be a small, low horsepower tabletop unit. Ive had my eyes on this model for some time now. DIYCNC.com I believe that the correct web address is http://mydiycnc.com The one you listed is not a available site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAngler Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 One option for subtractive machining (CNC) would be a small, low horsepower tabletop unit. Ive had my eyes on this model for some time now. DIYCNC.com I believe that the correct web address is http://mydiycnc.com The one you listed is not a available site. Your correct, I was in a hurry yesterday. Excuse my inaccuracies, I'd love to see some of the work others have done with 3-d printing, or CNC! Anyone out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 27, 2013 Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 I use CATIA V5 for all my design, one of the top engineering industry design tools. It would be fairly easy to get a free copy as I believe Dassau (the owner) put free copies out there, so engineers can learn the software, thus improving its popularity. The problem is that it is complex and difficult to learn unless you have someone to show you the way. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 The referenced MyDIYCNC machine price surely is attractive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty's Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 take a look at a zenbot machine. $499 for the machine and $399 for a gecko based controller. $150 for Mach3 $200 for a spindle and ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing That is a very good value for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bflp Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 The referenced MyDIYCNC machine price surely is attractive. My friend has one. Said he had issues with electro-static discharge, and the motor controller case was not very good. But once he fixed those he said its not a bad machine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtibill Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 Rockler.com has their Click-N-Carve CNC Carving Machine (BE2015) that retails for $1600 but goes on sale for $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallystrothers Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I use CATIA V5 for all my design, one of the top engineering industry design tools. It would be fairly easy to get a free copy as I believe Dassau (the owner) put free copies out there, so engineers can learn the software, thus improving its popularity. The problem is that it is complex and difficult to learn unless you have someone to show you the way. Dave I found Hexagon 3D to be useful for the modeling software. Its free and I found a really cool website with nearly 100 video tutorials on a wide variety of topics. The nice thing about the Hexagon crowd is they tend to focus on lifelike shapes/creatures which matches well with fish. I wouldn't recommend it for any serious engineering work but it certainly does its job for manipulating a fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I wonder if we can start a thread of CAD images, or would they have to go in the gallery. It is part of the build process, so I think it is valid as a thread, to show what is possible. I never visit the gallery, so I wouldn't be interested in that. Maybe Gerry and the mods could give a ruling. Dave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Go for it Dave...No problem putting it in here...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurley Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I used inventor to design my bait. Although I am only using this as a template at the moment. I am in the process of trying to figure out a simple fixturing process to machine these from blanks. As of now I am leaning towards a two operation process, one for each side. Then I would manually remove the ends. I have seen a few duplicating machines on youtube that have the fixturing down pretty good. I have put this project on hold as I debate on just switching my materials from wood to foam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAngler Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Heres a couple new projects, I'll post the prototype images soon. That swimbait is enormous, now I have to go buy gear to throw it! Ohio bass havent even seen blugill lures to this scale so a reaction strike might be an understatment haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Cool! I just got a student version of inventor the other day. I'm sure it will take a lot of work to get comfortable with the program, but I'm liking it so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCAngler Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 A-Mac thats great! Have fun with it! If I see enough of a demand for CAD modeling practice help Im thinking about doing a tutorial on model feature organization/design intent. Not sure how much experience you have with CAD programs but I'm always willing to help! Its one thing to build a model that looks the way you want it to, but its a completly different story to build that model with the robustness required when you start tweaking dimensions and dont want to go back and rebuild half the model. I use these platforms for a living and I'm still learning these techniques so its not an overnight deal, but for me it beats carving a model by hand(even though I hail to the guys on here that do). One cool feature you should check out is to import a JPEG of a crawdad, shad, bluegill, etc. and use that image as an underlay to create your sketches for buidling the surface model. Takes a little bit of the artistry learning curve out of it, because its all about the ratios between the physical features of the animal to make it look "real". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
