As some of you know - I am full time Army National Guard. I am finishing up a 14 week Major’s career course (exhausted, to say the least) and decided since I am home every evening after course, I’d make the instructor gifts for our class. I really wanted to get this right, plus I really wanted to get into using the V-Tip 1/8" carbide cutter from V1 so I can really dig in following this project.
So, I had this 1/4" plastic left over from a locker room remodel from my building. Good hard plastic that carves really well. I taped over the face, carved, then sprayed black paint over for the face. The back - well, I got creative - I tinted a small amount of epoxy and then poured it over the back (hindsight, I should have let it drip over the edge to get a really thin cover) I removed the tape on the edge and used a quick router sled to shave it thinner than it set. I then carved into that and it left the negative for a final words to the instructors.
Overall;
- I learned a lot about feeds and speeds for the carving.
- I learned how to utilize new hold down methods (ever tried workable fixative? I liked it, but I finished up with masking tape and CA glue for the small part stuff)
- Got better at doing things on the side while the CNC did it’s work (like study for the final exam tomorrow!)
- Realized that writing down steps is a really good idea (especially when the computer is upstairs in the office away from he garage)
Now the real list is coming from the boss! I’ve got a few ideas for Christmas and I love the fact I am dialed in now with time to do gifts!
