OK Here's a Nifty wee site (I stumbled upon) associated with Vectric.DESIGN and MAKE IT
Software
For those that want to machine some 3D models right out of the box for FREE and try out your Workbee capabilities whilst your at it
Just download the FREE machinist software, register an account, then download the freebie models and play away to your hearts content...simples
Obviously, there are some limitations but it's not a bad deal considering and it's FREE, wot more could you want......
I might give the Celtic Knot piece a whirl in the morning and report back



Enjoy
Regards
C

 

The Celtic (wot) Knot Design.
If you've been following along with the thread you will know I wanted to make a little something using the aforementioned FREE software, Well OK its a bit of a dangling carrot on Vectric's behalf and I have to say I will be upgrading fairly soon as this kinda thing is right up my street.
This morning I ventured into the garage with good intentions to make a start as I knew it was going to take a few hours, only to be confronted by Sods Law, the IP address had changed again...so for once and for all I followed Ooznest's vid on how to make my connection an access point.
That done (successfully this time) I proceeded to get to grips with this little wooden design piece.
First I cut a little square of scrap softwood to 150x150x18mm, placed some double sided tape on the back, squared it up and stuck it down firmly on my spoiler-board
The design, once imported into the software I proceeded to change things slightly, mainly rounding up the numbers and changing the parameters of the milling bits.
Here follow the details for anyone who might have an interest in these things.

Roughing Out
6mm Endmill
Pass Depth 2mm
Stepover 2.4mm - 40%
Spindle Mk*3 on the Makita
Feed 900mm/min
Plunge 420mm/min

Finishing
3mm Ballnose
Pass Depth 1.5mm
Stepover 0.3mm 10%
Spindle Mk*3 on the Makita
Feed 900mm/min
Plunge 420mm/min

Cutting Out
(parameters as per Roughing Out)



This was my first attempt at 3D and I have to say I was very very impressed, both with the finished article and the performance of the Workbee. The settings above gave a good clean end product with very little post sanding to be done. Tomorrow I will finish it with a little more rubbing down then stain and varnish. I think I shall be investing in quite a few more Ballnose Endmills



Regards
C

 

Yeah @Alex Chambers for sure...It may seem like childs-play to some of the CNC aficionados around here but to me it represents a Neil Armstrong moment. in my learning process.
I'm that happy with the way things have gone today, I'm going to crack open a bottle of a big heavy RED...

 

No @Alex Chambers it's a kind of stand-alone thing with limitations in one hand with a two-pronged attack. There to perhaps draw you into either upgrading to V Carve Pro or Aspire but it will work also with purchased 3d models from their extensive range from their online shop...One thing I will say is the Vectric file extension V3M is pretty much bomb proof....Either way, I see it, as a good marketing ploy.. its a win-win situation for Vectric, You can either use the FREE software and purchase the 3d models when you need them or pay top dollar for V Carve Pro or Aspire and you get the models free...take your pick..Then again if you're wise you could make commissioned work by purchasing the models, sell them on and use your profits to buy the better software (perhaps)
PS you cant import STL files or any other for that matter, its all pretty much locked down...Reminds me pretty much of an Apple strategy...As I have already said, I like Vectric, it's easy for me to get to grips with so I will upgrade at some point others may not be so keen.

 

Apologies again to others for me being a Vectric0phile but as I've said its functionality and ease of use for a novice is not as steep as other software out there for me personally.
Having seen what the simplistic and FREE "Machinist" software can do for me I'm totally hooked, but it doesn't provide all the functionality I need, to do what I need to do, as with "Cut 3D" similar but the next rung up, again its lacking in some areas that wouldn't make it future proof for me.
So I'm looking at either "V Carve Desktop" or "V Carve Pro".
I have been evaluating all of these software products over the past couple of days and to be honest the "Desktop" version is all I'm basically going to need for the foreseeable future. Yes, the bed size is limited to 2ft sq. but seeing as my Workbee is not overly huge then this I can look past (and there is always tiling for everything else). The price difference is around £300+ GBP. The "Desktop" version holds all the functionality I would need right now.
Being a Novice and going back to when I first purchased the Workbee. I perhaps made a few wrong choices with regards to the add-ons I bought Cut2D Desktop for around £125 when perhaps I shouldn't, I also bought a nice starter bit set for another £100. Whereas if I'd joined the forum and asked some questions beforehand I may well have made better-informed decisions.. but Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Anyhow so long as your learning that is the main thing. I may not be so hasty next time.
Regards
C

 

Yes @GeoffH, £154 ($200) at todays exchange rates. It would be a wise move on my behalf. And open a great many doors to the creativity of this machine. I'll put it on the Birthday List

In the meantime, I have a dust extraction unit to build and I ordered a few more endmills from Amazon (hope they are OK)

EU_HOZLY 1mm 1.5mm 2.0mm 2.5mm 3.175mm Carbide 2 Flute Spiral Milling Cutter CNC Engraving Router Bits

 

I can see absolutely NO need to pay all that for a few bits of ALU when wood will do nicely.

Understandable @Alex Chambers and I wouldn't want to change your mind ASPIRE is what it is I suppose but I wouldn't go paying all that for something I probably wouldn't use the half of it functions...OK if you have an industrial bed and want to carve yourself a few Game of Thrones Doors but not for a Workbee.

 

No worries @GeoffH, I wouldn't have the time either to sit down and study with the grandkids en tow...
I'm sure it's good but there is plenty of stuff out there already even for a novice.
I've seen a few things I would love to make, hence the upgrade...for which I'll be able to cut in both 2D and 3D with a little V Carving thrown in.
It's not like me, not doing my homework first but in this instance, I was caught out via my ignorance.

 

I created this thread to run alongside my BUILD, and although my build is virtually completed I thought well is it really ever finished. I'm glad I kept this thread running, there is so much info contained within, especially for a newbie like myself. I didn't see the point in having multiple threads running all at the same time. Apologies for those that don't get it but it's just a personal preference. Thanks to all those that have contributed and helped me along the way without your assistance at key moments my Workbee would be redundant by now... as it is, I'm enjoying the ride and hope to go on to greater things learning all the while. I hope you guys and gals will stick around

Regards
C
.

 

End - Mills arrived today.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EU_HOZLY-3...id=1552758191&sr=8-10&keywords=2mm+router+bit
They look pretty neat in their plastic case...are they any good, only time will tell. If so, There is a companion set of the same only Ball-Nose so if all turns out fine with these I will buy the finishing bit set also.

 

Hi @Alex Chambers, just a little update.. I've been in contact with Ryan at Ooznest regarding a little leeway on the upgrade pricing. Apparently they have no control or clout over this aspect. So I'll have to go direct to Vectric