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IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > DIY CNC Router Table Machines > CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    5

    CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    Dear CNC Guru's

    I'm planning to start small production / hobby towards knifemaking and was looking at Stepcraft 600d as a main router for milling G10, Micarta and wood parts for handles and such.

    Something similar to what can be seen in this picture:
    https://www.bladehq.com/imgs/knives/...4-jr-large.jpg

    I was wondering if 600D is capable for such or are there better alternatives for 1300 euro available on the market.
    I'm perfectly fine with any kit that i will need to assemble but building from zero is to time consuming at this stage. However if there are some really nice machines that can be built from zero then i'm also in for it.

    One of the reasons i like D600 is its flexibility and good selection of modifications.

    Another think i would like to know if you can advise for some nice spindle, it may be Chinese as well. I'm actually like some water cooled models on aliexpress.

    I was also wondering if its possible to do some light carving work on aluminum and titanium.

    Thanks a lot in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Posts
    6254

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    Hi MIR - Al yes Ti no....Peter

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    5

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    @peteeng,

    Thanks for your answer. And what about the carving of G10 and other materials like in the example, that can be done i assume?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Posts
    6254

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    Hi MIR - You will need special bits to machine G10. Fibreglass is very hard on bits. It will be more like a burr then a bit. Tool suppliers will have special composite cutting bits. Peter

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    5

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    @Peter,

    Thanks a lot for information. I'll make sure to get the right ones. But apart from it this machine is technically capable of machining fiberglass like materials with good precision?
    Do you have any advise on spindle specs?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1206

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    If ,as I believe, G10 is similar to the material I know as 10G40 Tufnol then you will be wearing bits out quite quickly. It is the nastiest material I have ever had to machine.the next worst was Permaglass sheet and that needed PCD.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    5

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    @Routalot,

    Thanks for answering. So the only issue will be faster wearing of bits, construction / stiffness wise and precision wise what i've shown in the example above is achievable and can be done with that machine?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    You're budget is extremely low. This limits you to very lightweight hobby machines, which will limit you to making very shallow cuts, at low speeds.
    While you *should* be able to make parts like that, expect a VERY long learning curve, and a LOT of dull tools.

    I don't know what type of tooling they use to cut those "scallops", but I'd expect a lot of hand sanding to get clean results like that.

    If by "production" you mean 1-2 knives a week, you might be able to get away with the stepcraft. But there's a reason that all the knifemakers on Youtube are using machines that cost at least 10x-20x more.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    5

    Re: CNC router for G10, Micarta and wood 3d milling.

    @ ger21,

    Thanks for your response. The example I gave is more about whether the machine is capable of performing 3d milling to that extend and precision. I found those videos and checked reviews from other users. This machine seems to be well capable of producing excellent result for it's class and size.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrLhNGkKKFE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95D-FdoFW_A

    I don't need a production class hardware at this stage as I'm totally new to CNC world in general.

    Another important thing is its excellent resell value. I've checked those things second hand and they're being sold for 90% of their new price. So if in a year or even less I will see that I need more, i can sell this thing for a good price and upgrade for a more advanced one. Plus i will have more knowledge about what i need.

    As for my example, it was more about what this machine can do 3D milling wise, but from those videos i see that it's capable enough.

    In my case i will be making closer to this one.

    https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-cmbu...886763.jpg?c=2

    More rounded and less sophisticated.

    I'm sure that with good spindle and bits, as well as dedication i will manage

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