In the Workshop Series. (Part 1)
The modellers workshop. I am sure every workshop is as unique as the builder that created it. In this series I will share some of the set ups in my workshop and why I chose them, with pros and cons. The general function and theme of the workshop is more suited to model engineering than wood. This in part is mainly due to the workshop being inside the home and not wanting saw dust carried throughout the house by the furnace ducts. In fact other than hand saws there are only three wood cutting tools used in the workshop.
- Scroll Saw which is always used with the shop vac running.
- Miniature Table Saw which was custom built and uses jewellers saws.
- Laser Cutter (60Watt CO2), only outputs smoke no dust.
The Laser Cutter. I chose a unit from a local Toronto based supplier MotionTek for a couple of reasons. The primary one being I really liked the guy who set up the machine and the CNC system, and the secondary being the units cost effectiveness compared to the competitors. The laser cutter is by far one of the most interesting methods of cutting wood. There are limitations in what can be cut due to the unit being 60 watts.
- Woods with a higher specific gravity do not cut well - pine and cedar work great, basswood and poplar can cut beautifully and at the same time their specific gravity or density can approach that of maple which tends to limit the cutters ability at times.
- Styrene works very well for thicknesses under 0.0625", once over that there is a tendancy to melt the styrene. For thicker materials in plastic I am really happy with cast acrylic plexiglass.
- Leather works well although smells like a bad barbeque.
- Papers, I have not had a lot of tests on yet and the possiblities in scale leaves etc.. are appealing.
Here are a few images of the laser cutter installed in the workshop. The machine is vented to the shop exterior (outside) with a powerfull blower.
Here are a few samples of cuts made, and engravings for logos etc...
