local_wood_local_bowls

I bought a ShopBot 11 years ago, and have made many things on it. Mine has a 4th axis and I have written my own 4 axis code to mill long pieces. The machine itself will handle work pieces up to 4' x 8' and I have modified it to work on pieces of wood up to 1' thick.

The learning curve for the software was a bit steep at first, but as time passed, I got better software and now creating a part is as easy as drawing it in AutoCAD, creating a tool path and then milling it.

I also use Rhino for 3D shapes - that is a bit more involved but the products I can produce using it are well received by customers.

As for the finish quality right off the machine - it's a trade off between how much time you want to spend sanding versus how fine the step over is when you are milling - machine time can go up if you don't want to sand as much. I try to split the difference and that works for me.

As with any power tool in the shop, you have to learn how to use it and know what to expect when it is done. For me, that tool has been what sets my work apart from anyone else in the area.