Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 18, 2020 Report Share Posted January 18, 2020 Been looking at the different options for improving my process for making lexan lips. I have seen the router option that was suggested in another thread and may go this way. The other option I am looking at is a laser cutter. Looking at the hobby size machines Does anyone have experience with these hobby size laser cutters? Do you find they make a consistent quality lexan lip? any useful experienced information or advice we be great 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 After further research I will pass on the laser cutter idea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 20, 2020 Report Share Posted January 20, 2020 You know it might be less than you think by going to a company and having them made, I have one not far from me and I went to have a quote on a lip verses making them my self but that was awhile back not that bad of a price then just but more than I needed but I am thinking of having a lip or lips made making a few sizes same thickness. It might be more than you want but a lot cheaper than a laser cutter and making by yourself with the material and time plus these will be right on the money when done. Think what you get out of a 4'X4' or 4'X8' a lot of lips, plus what it cost to purchase some already made but in lesser amounts. Also might team up with a fellow lure maker and split up what you need. Then when you need more the price will be or should be because it sits in their computer ready to go. Wayne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2020 thanks Wayne I will have to look around and see if having them made is a feasible option. I am really just trying to find my options for a good solution that is consistent quality with reasonable efforts I have sweet talked myself into free lexan scrap from the local glass shops so it would be nice to use this resource. The cost of a hobby laser cutter is not too bad price wise but digging into it on the Internet the problem of an ugly burnt edge comes up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aulrich Posted January 22, 2020 Report Share Posted January 22, 2020 A DIY water jet might be an option. That said I have a niece who is getting a laser cutter (not a hobbie version) she is planning on trading me access for help getting it setup and learning how to use it. i'll let you know how it works. And much to my embarrassment I have yet to try a 3d printed lip 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2020 4 hours ago, aulrich said: A DIY water jet might be an option. That said I have a niece who is getting a laser cutter (not a hobbie version) she is planning on trading me access for help getting it setup and learning how to use it. i'll let you know how it works. And much to my embarrassment I have yet to try a 3d printed lip So you hang out here as well. I am on AO under Smoky buck (I am also a dirty muzzleloader hunter is why) Definitely let me know what you think of the laser cutter. As you can tell I am trying to refine my lip making process. Need something that is less time consuming and can be done with less focus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aulrich Posted January 23, 2020 Report Share Posted January 23, 2020 16 hours ago, Hillbilly voodoo said: So you hang out here as well. I am on AO under Smoky buck (I am also a dirty muzzleloader hunter is why) Definitely let me know what you think of the laser cutter. As you can tell I am trying to refine my lip making process. Need something that is less time consuming and can be done with less focus Absolutely 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2020 4 hours ago, aulrich said: Absolutely Thank you good sir 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsouth Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Table saw, chop saw and a belt sander... you can make several hundred in about an hour. Blades for the table and chop should be 80 teeth minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigblue2 Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 5 minutes ago, azsouth said: Table saw, chop saw and a belt sander... you can make several hundred in about an hour. Blades for the table and chop should be 80 teeth minimum. how about a thin bandsaw blade or scroll saw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 (edited) Been using a bandsaw and a belt sander already. This method also has its limitations as well when you go to some non conventional shapes. Yes it works in most cases but I would benifit from a better system in multiple ways Edited January 25, 2020 by Hillbilly voodoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsouth Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Table saw to set the height, chop saw to set the width and angles... belt sander to knock of edges or modify. bandsaw and scroll saws don't cut good lines and usually need a lot more time on the sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 I would rather use a bandsaw over a table saw to me much safer, and I would use a disk sander over a belt sander. Just my . I use a 1/8" bandsaw blade keeps it just off the line, 120 grit on the disk and keep it clean with one of those disk cleaners. Wayne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 27 minutes ago, azsouth said: Table saw to set the height, chop saw to set the width and angles... belt sander to knock of edges or modify. bandsaw and scroll saws don't cut good lines and usually need a lot more time on the sander. Speed is not the issue here Your method is fine for my coffin shape and square bill’s but starting getting into the top water project I am working on and it won’t work. I am cutting almost a butterfly shape out of lexan and you cannot shape it on a beltsander or a drum properly Presently laminate trimmer with a jig is the most likely option. This is much faster, more precise and versatile then both our present methods. The laser cutter I am choosing to see how it works for another first 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 For complex shapes of a few hundred at a time, I would be looking into copy routers. Probably design and build my own. Dave 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, ravenlures said: I would rather use a bandsaw over a table saw to me much safer, and I would use a disk sander over a belt sander. Just my . I use a 1/8" bandsaw blade keeps it just off the line, 120 grit on the disk and keep it clean with one of those disk cleaners. Wayne We probably are doing things similar I just don’t own a disk sander. In most case it works fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Vodkaman said: For complex shapes of a few hundred at a time, I would be looking into copy routers. Probably design and build my own. Dave Thanks Dave I will look into that option As of last night I have a template/guide being 3D printed to test with a laminate trimmer. Edited January 25, 2020 by Hillbilly voodoo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 I find that a benchtop oscillating belt sander is really good for rough and fine sanding and shaping. https://www.fefall.com/oscillating-edge-eb4424-belt-sander--ridgid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, mark poulson said: I find that a benchtop oscillating belt sander is really good for rough and fine sanding and shaping. https://www.fefall.com/oscillating-edge-eb4424-belt-sander--ridgid I have that belt/drum sander combo it does come in handy and does not take up too much space 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsouth Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 I was a glazier, so for me it is not that difficult do....do what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 1 minute ago, azsouth said: I was a glazier, so for me it is not that difficult do....do what works for you. So was I for 6 years it’s not from a lack of skill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Hillbilly voodoo said: So was I for 6 years it’s not from a lack of skill I tell myself that every time I screw something up. Hahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 I did actually design a 3D pantograph duplicator for complex body manufacture. The hope was that it would be faster and give a better, ridge-less finish than the traditional 3D duplicator. I remembered that it also did 2D objects like lips. So, I searched back through my CAD files and found it. Damned thing was so complex that I could not figure out how it worked It does seem to me that there could be room for a lip cutter pantograph, if I could curb my tendency to over complicate. I will give the idea some thought, even though my current lure development is going in a different direction. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 48 minutes ago, mark poulson said: I tell myself that every time I screw something up. Hahaha I can screw things up like a champ but I also learn from mistakes and pretty good about not repeating them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly voodoo Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 38 minutes ago, Vodkaman said: I did actually design a 3D pantograph duplicator for complex body manufacture. The hope was that it would be faster and give a better, ridge-less finish than the traditional 3D duplicator. I remembered that it also did 2D objects like lips. So, I searched back through my CAD files and found it. Damned thing was so complex that I could not figure out how it worked It does seem to me that there could be room for a lip cutter pantograph, if I could curb my tendency to over complicate. I will give the idea some thought, even though my current lure development is going in a different direction. Dave Dave completely understand the whole over complication issues we just have different ways of going about it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
