Many people ask what tools I use to create my cockpit panels. Here is my most used tool to get the job done.
X-Carve 1000mm X 1000mm CNC: I’ve been using the X-Carve since it was first released as the Shapeoko. I absolutely love this tool. Since I primarily only cut wood on it, I only use the variable speed quiet DC motor. It greatly helps reduce noise, since it lives in my basement shop. It’s not large enough to cut a full panel, so I designed the panels to be split into to parts to cut, then attach them later. I use 2′ X 2′ wood from Lowes, as they fit very nicely on the cutting board.
I use the X-Carve for so many things it’s crazy. It’s just so easy to use and their software, Easel, is fantastic. You can create simple projects in it directly, or upload a DXF file from Illustrator or Fusion 360, then set your cutting/engraving depths quickly and easily, while Easel does all the heavy lifting with the cutting paths. Here are a bunch of work in progress shots below.
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[…] Glowforge is kind of quirky, it’s taken some time to get this working like I wanted. The layout tool needs a lot of work, but I think they’ll get there. After alot of posts on the forum, Glowforge made me the User of the Month, so that was cool. See post #2 here. […]