Best/easiest way to mill out graphics in wood?

[bytestorm]

Hey

Not sure the title is describing enough, but lets say I would like to make a arcade stick housing in wood and mill some text or icons or whatever in it.
What would be the ideal solution? I have seen alot of nice housings and boxes with machine milled graphics and/or letters in the wood.. looks awesome.

Would like to do it myself but aint sure if there are any good solutions within reach?

I wouldnt mind buying a woodmill if its small but they cost a fortune right? Any tips?

[coasterlvr]

i'd say cnc router or laser.  but you could also do it free hand with a dremel tool if you have a steady hand. 

[PL1]

I would like to make a arcade stick housing in wood and mill some text or icons or whatever in it.
What would be the ideal solution? I have seen alot of nice housings and boxes with machine milled graphics and/or letters in the wood.. looks awesome.

Would like to do it myself but aint sure if there are any good solutions within reach?

I wouldnt mind buying a woodmill if its small but they cost a fortune right? Any tips?

  Having someone else do it:
Contact a nearby woodworking store, plaque maker, craft store, or trophy shop.

  Doing it yourself:
Check out the Mostly Printed CNC here.

The regular "525" version should work well for you, but the "LowRider" version is probably too large.



A YouTube search for "MPCNC" provides tons of useful and informative videos.

The standard build size has a 2' x 2' cutting area (600mm x 600mm) but you can build yours larger or smaller. 

You can mount a variety of tools on the MPCNC like a router spindle, drag knife, pen, foam cutter, 3D print extruder, engraving laser, plasma cutter, welder. . .   


Scott

[jennifer]

I would like to make a arcade stick housing in wood and mill some text or icons or whatever in it.
What would be the ideal solution? I have seen alot of nice housings and boxes with machine milled graphics and/or letters in the wood.. looks awesome.

Would like to do it myself but aint sure if there are any good solutions within reach?

I wouldnt mind buying a woodmill if its small but they cost a fortune right? Any tips?

  Having someone else do it:
Contact a nearby woodworking store, plaque maker, craft store, or trophy shop.

  Doing it yourself:
Check out the Mostly Printed CNC here.

The regular "525" version should work well for you, but the "LowRider" version is probably too large.



A YouTube search for "MPCNC" provides tons of useful and informative videos.

The standard build size has a 2' x 2' cutting area (600mm x 600mm) but you can build yours larger or smaller. 

You can mount a variety of tools on the MPCNC like a router spindle, drag knife, pen, foam cutter, 3D print extruder, engraving laser, plasma cutter, welder. . .   


Scott

Welding splatter, heat, , and the problems associated with plasma (especially in a industrial setting) would in Jenns opinion make short work of that, rendering it useless.... But back to the O/P original question, Design concept seems curious to me, structurally speaking steel/ink is stronger than wood and less prone to fatigue.

[PL1]

Welding splatter, heat, , and the problems associated with plasma (especially in a industrial setting) would in Jenns opinion make short work of that, rendering it useless

I wouldn't want to use an MPCNC for plasma/welding in a high-volume industrial setting, but it's fine for a low-cost, low-volume setup.



Everything I've read about the MPCNC indicates that it holds up surprisingly well, even when with the right combination of spindle, bit, cut depth, and feed rate.   


Scott

[jennifer]

That does seem to be a quite interesting machine after review.... I suddenly understand why old world craftsmanship is considered fallacy to the the new gen. 
    As for and "easy way" to put graphics on wood, A stencil and course sandblast sand is quite effective, the stain actually will offset the image.... Or a branding iron for more of a burnt in look.
     

[bytestorm]

Hey! Wow happy to see so many comments

There are indeed some interesting alternatives around! I will mainly work with wood, but if it could mill PCB material too that would be a nice bonus!

Maybe I should add that I dont have that much space, and I live in a appartment så some alternatives might be a bit inconvenient, but a smaller CNC router / mill (same thing?) would be great.

Some brands I have found:
X-Carve - Somewhat on the expensive side :/.. looks to do a great job thou..
MillRight CNC M3 - Cheap but I havent checked any videos of it yet.
Zen Toolworks CNC DIY KIT 7x7
THE WHITTLECNC

Sandpaper & soldering iron will not be enough

Will check some youtube vids tonight and search some more about the MPCNC !!