I just finished my first project I learned how to run the toolpaths from vectric to my machine.

A friend who makes custom furniture gives me cut-offs for use on my CNC so when he gave me a 1 inch piece of Ash I thought I'd try a V-Carve Inlay with his company logo and give to him. It's my first attempt and I think it came out pretty well using walnut with the Ash. I used 1/4" and 1/8" Upcut endmills for clearing and a 3 flute 30 Degree VBit for the finishing. The challenge was keeping the sharp fine details from chipping off so I ran multiple shallow passes with the VBit. Only 2 or 3 areas had a little chip out so for a first inlay, I consider it a success. Total carve time was right around 2.5 hours.

Kyle being in China brought back a lot of memories. Found a picture of my wife and I when we were doing a demonstration Lion Dance for a University of Miami function. Worked it up and made this one last night. Still working on the finish. And yes were referred to as the “Old Lion”…. and I was always bringing up the rear.

8 x 10 Family portrait carved in maple with a light pine stain and clear finish. Done in VistaSculpt and Aspire

Wanted to share why I got into CNC in the first place. My wife saw this at an antique store and I decided to up my woodworking capabilities. This is a replica of an early 1800s Louis XV French armoire. Several Q&A's helped me work through this project. There are 42 different components I created on the CNC along with multiple 3D modelings in Aspire. I even made the brass handle decorations in the front on the CNC. I owe everything to Kyle and this group because I never could have come close to making a piece like this without everyone's input. Thanks!

Each of these Maple wall-hanging carvings measure 9 x 5 x ¾. Male image digitally photographed from a carving magazine then uploaded to ChatGPT for manipulation. Also used ChatGPT to convert male image to a second, female image with identical hat, size, etc. to form a matching pair of caricature curmudgeons. Then uploaded in Vistasculpt to generate stl files. Finally, uploaded in Aspire and manipulated for final size, shape, and tool pathing. Total time was 1-1/4 hours for each using 80 ipm feed and 60 ipm plunge. After ¼ ball nose roughing, finished with 3/16 ball nose followed by 3/32 diameter tapered ball nose, and lastly, 3/16 end mill profile cut out. Applied sanding sealer coat of shellac both sides followed by light maple stain both sides. Then applied some acrylic burnt umber to hats, beard, and extremities. Backsides also shown with lasered maker’s mark at bottom along with hanger hardware.

First win with the Vortex rotary. Upload to Aspire and adjusted the tool paths for my Altmill and Vortex. Lots of kindling and sawdust create. file is from Sienci Labs.

I decided to go off in a different direction with this carving. It started life as a Facebook screenshot of a pinstriping competition entry. I passed it through ChatGPT, which gave me nice clear lines, however, many were a mess. Overlapping lines, components missing, artifacts added, and many "What the heck is that shape" resulted in four hours of node editing, which was great practice. At about 2 hours into the the editing, the "light bulb moment" happened with "I can use the mirror tool here". Time was also spent to recreate the over and under visuals that the original painter did with colors. The carving is on mystery wood from a cabinet shop, possibly a void filler panel. I've asked 6 local woodworkers for species identification, and I got 6 different answers. The wood was sealed with rattle can shellac prior to painting with Rustoleum spray paint. My "Go-To" V Bit is the Cadence Mfg Groovey Jenny 60 degree, 3/8" downcut, which was used for the majority of the carve, gave me excellent cuts with no tearout and close to zero cleanup. A 1 inch 90 degree V bit was used for only the very center vertical Components. Overall size is 9.5" X 17.5"

Cutting Board That belonged to my father in law . Cleaned up the cut marks and put a walnut inlay using Vectric Aspire . Still learning, next time I’ll edit the nodes to be not so thin . I was using a 30degree v-carve and a 3/16 up cut bit from cic.

A guy ordered this one, it’s 24” x 36” and made out of 8/4 cypress.

This custom clock was made out of 8/4 cherry for a towboat captain to his specs. It's 24" x 25". That is the logo for the company he works for and the name of the boat he runs at the bottom.

Took of shot on Project Lesson 170 and it turned out great going to try and use epoxy on the openings next

This carving was made from 8.5 x 8.5 x 0.93 Cherry. Mother & Children image was screen shot from online source then manipulated in ChatGPT. Then uploaded in Vistasculpt to generate stl file. Finally, uploaded in Aspire and manipulated into custom frame. After ¼ ball nose roughing, finished with 3/16 ball nose followed by 3/32 diameter tapered ball nose. 2 & 1/2 - hour CNC machine time using 80 ipm feed and 60 ipm plunge. Tung Oil finish applied. Backside also shown … with lasered embellishment in center and maker’s mark lower right corner.

I just got back from the fairgrounds. I was very surprised when I got there and that my chess table got "Best in division". I was then surprised to see that my other three entries got first place in their categories, and my "Farmer in the Hallway" also got first place and Honorable Mention! I didn't know that meant so I looked it up, and it means: An awarded item that receives both a first place and an honorable mention means the entry won the top prize in its main category while also earning a separate special notice for its high quality. It was well worthwhile in entering!

Didn't sand or finish yet , I don't smoke , so the inside chip carve will probably get burnt up . I learned a lot about setting the pointed round over bit . Fun lesson

Finished up this Donation finally. Took their logo ran it in Easy Carve. All good except the dogs were bad for EC to produce so I had to create my own, duplicate and mirror it. Worked it out. Carving is 13 3/4 X 10 3/4 Base 13 3/4 x 2 1/2 And Dwight's glazing technique which I still haven't gotten the hang of yet. I did the entire thing on the machine, stairs, v-carve, dado on the base, tab on the carving. Yes could have done it on the table saw and drill press but ... Whats the machine for.

I designed and carved this cigar ashtray two years ago after watching one of the Q&A sessions. It is 8' x 8" x 1.5" from black walnut. Only takes an hour and 25 minutes to carve. It is all molding tool paths and a profile tool path, with a little bit of VBit thrown in! My VCarve technique has gotten a lot better since then thanks to LYCNC!

Happy baby in mother’s hands. 10 x 8 x 1.5-inch carving in Cherry. Tung oil finish. Front, angled, and back images.

Here is the bed divider that everyone in the community helped out with and it turned out great. I really appreciate the help!