George Vondriska

Benchtop CNC Fundamentals

George Vondriska
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Benchtop CNC Fundamentals
  • In-depth Instruction; over 84 mins
  • On-demand video access anytime
  • Bonus downloadable PDF resources
  • Access to class Q&A
  • Available for purchase: $39.99

Gantry, spoil board, fly cut…this may all be terminology you’re not familiar with. We’ll take care of that, making sure you understand the important parts of a CNC machine. You’ll also learn about four different methods for securing your work to the table, and each method’s advantages and disadvantages.

Many CNC owners are interested in sign making. This session will help you with that by showing you how to start a new project, add text to it, and how to create the tool path for the text. You’ll learn about choosing the XY origin within the software, and how that relates to positioning the material on the CNC machine.

V-carving allows you to create the look of relief carving. In this session you’ll learn how to create a design and tool path that leaves your text standing proud of the background. You’ll also how to offset design shapes for perfect reproduction and spacing on your drawing. You’ll see how to reduce down time on the CNC machine by outputting similar files to one tool path.

 
 
3 Lessons
1  hrs 24  mins

If you’ve made the investment in a benchtop CNC machine, or are considering the purchase of one, this class is a great way to start safely and get to know a CNC machine. George will lead you, step-by-step, through two different designs, and also take you through the process of getting the CNC machine ready to make cuts.

The Software

VCarve software from Vectric is design software that many CNC companies use as a companion to their machines. To be more specific, this class uses VCarve Pro. The class is filled with screen captures that will allow you to work alongside George, click by click, to create a design. You’ll learn to take advantage of the software’s features to simplify getting the look you want in your projects.
In addition to designing your project another important aspect of VCarve is creating the toolpath. Again you’ll see, click by click, how to create various tool paths, how to select the correct bit from the bit library, using tabs and ramps, and more.

Understanding the CNC machine

There’s jargon associated specifically with CNC machines that you may not be familiar with, and we’ll take care of teaching you that. We’ll also look at a variety of methods you can use to secure your work to the CNC table, zeroing the machine axes, router bit installation, and cutting the tool path you created in the design portion of the class.

In total, you’ll get over 80 minutes of hands-on CNC video instruction. The class also includes a detailed downloadable Class Guide to print and keep, which reinforces the key points and instruction in the class.

George Vondriska

George Vondriska is the Editor in Chief here at Woodworkers Guild of America and has been sharing his woodworking expertise since 1986. Apart from conducting classes at his renowned Vondriska Woodworks School, George's passion for teaching has taken him to woodworking shows nationwide and has led him to teach woodworking for prestigious organizations such as Peace Corps/Swaziland, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines, and the Pentagon. With a wealth of published magazine articles under his belt, encompassing tool reviews and shop improvement projects, George's knowledge and skills continue to inspire woodworkers every day. To discover more about him and his school, visit georgevondriska.com.

George Vondriska

Bonus materials available after purchase

Benchtop CNC Fundamentals Purchase this class for $39.99.