Thread: G'day

Hi, I have lurked here for a while and decided to join up because now I need to ask a few questions.

I enjoy getting my hands dirty and this has led me into buying all sorts of toys. My primary focus is perhaps more along the lines of engineering with metal but wood is good too...

Looks like this forum will cater for my needs because there are sections on welding and metalworking. It also means that I am not alone!

I work in the engineering field as a CAD/CAM programmer for CNC lasers which cut a variety of materials, mostly steel, s/steel and aluminium, but there seems to be a growing number of customers looking to cut other materials. Lasers are much faster than CNC routers and produce tighter corners, but will leave some scorching on the cut edges of materials (eg MDF) which has to be sanded off but I am sure a light bead blast would be quite quick and easy, but I don't know becuase I haven't tried yet.

These guys ask us to cut some quite intricate designs for instance, decorative screens with repetitive patterns or art made from successive layers to simulate a 3D effect.

I have used the machines to make a few foriegners including speaker boxes which have created some of the most accurate and best sounding speakers I have ever built. The holes are much rounder than trying to cut them with a jigsaw!

My hobbies include various materials including wood and metal and I have various machines for both. While my leanings are perhaps towards metal I must admit that there is no metal that looks as classy as a sanded and varnished piece of Tassie oak. I am a great fan of recycling floorboards, and they not only make great recycled floorboards but nice panelling as well, especially if you run a groove down one edge with a router.

While I may gain some information from you guys I will no doubt be able to share some of my experiences regarding machining, welding, CAD, and laser cutting and answer some of your questions in return.

-GS