using a CNC router to carve out frames

[Matt Whitaker]

I've had a pretty big artist come in recently asking about having frames custom carved with his own artistic flourishes. At first I was considering laser etching the moulding but there is a CNC router down the street who is pretty cheap. I took a little 3D modeling in college, I figure if I can design a frame using CAD software it wouldn't be difficult to have the CNC router cut it out of a piece of wood and I could finish it in my shop.

Has anyone else done this? Is this even a good idea? I've searched the internet high and low but can't seem to find any examples of CNC carved frames.

 

[wpfay]

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=26543&highlight=CNC+router

Check here for a fellow grumbler who built his own CNC router and has done some real nice work with it.

 

[Luddite]

Could always sculpt on the moulding with epoxy.BTW, if the moulding is flat,aDremel tool carves great details. L.

 

[Matt Whitaker]

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=26543&highlight=CNC+router

Check here for a fellow grumbler who built his own CNC router and has done some real nice work with it.

Oh yes, thats very nice. Just what I was hoping for. I love the mount of detail in those frames.

 

[Luddite]

Oh,almost forgot: www.carvewright.com interseting router.... L.

 

[CAframer]

Oh,almost forgot: www.carvewright.com interseting router.... L.

About a month or two ago there was a review of the Carvewright in one of the woodworking magazines. I don't have the magazine here at the workshop, so I can't recall which one. If you are interested I can dig it out at home. Seems to me that it's a bit small for framing applications. By comparison, the Shopbot Buddy is a much more substantial unit, and has some interesting stuff on their website.

 

[Matt Whitaker]

Could always sculpt on the moulding with epoxy.BTW, if the moulding is flat,aDremel tool carves great details. L.

Thats a good idea but the artist actually might buy 5 of the frames if he likes the first one. I wouldn't want to have to make more than one by hand, hence using a machine.

 

[Matt Whitaker]

yeah the CarveWright is too small for this application. The frame needs to be 22x28".

 

[Uncle Eli]

there is a CNC router down the street who is pretty cheap.

Would you mind passing their info along. I have a project I'm working on that I may need to use their services.

 

[Luddite]

yeah the CarveWright is too small for this application. The frame needs to be 22x28".

I figured it would be too large in one piece,but making moulding,or added on pieces...maybe. L.