That, and I haven't had a lot of time to play with this thing. Decided this morning to make time and turned an egg. The pattern is one that is included with the eggbot software. Took about five minutes to set up and probably about that long to draw  the pattern. 

 

Steve

 

 

I think is special cool...

Really Neat! 

Does the EggBot attach thru a USB cable? Windows or Mac?

That is neat Steve. I suppose when you get rolling you will burn the lines after they get drawn.

Wow is that something.  I am surprised the ink didn't bleed more.

That is VERY cool!

2 hours ago, lew said:

Really Neat! 

Does the EggBot attach thru a USB cable? Windows or Mac?

 

 

Lew, it does attach with a usb cable. I am using a windows machine but I'm pretty sure there is a mac version. The software is an add on for inkscape

Steve

Edited September 15, 20169 yr by Steve Krumanaker
happy fingers

2 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Wow is that something.  I am surprised the ink didn't bleed more.

 

Yea me too, especially considering the wood I used. It's from a 4x4 fence post Menards sells. It's called "whitewood". I suppose it's some kind of pine but it's very light and not dense at all. I'm sure the results would be even better with hard maple.

Steve

2 hours ago, Gerald said:

That is neat Steve. I suppose when you get rolling you will burn the lines after they get drawn.

 

 

That's my intention Gerald, first I have to figure out to get a pencil to work for drawing, don't know how well burning would work with ink. That's actually a variation on a zentangle pattern called "Rick's paradox" I think.

 

Steve

Spectacular Steve! I'm amazed you get that kind of performance from a thin line Sharpie felt tip. You probably have already thought or tried but how artist ink drawing pens (and maybe pencils) as the stylus? Hobby Lobby and Michael's seem to have large selections. That ink might be "burnable" or offer an interesting color or shadow line. But, I'm no artist so just guessing. 

I'm not sure it is cool. It presents some problems that look overwhelming. You have a lot of patience and personal skills setting this Rube Goldberg thing up. Does the ink bleed? Does the wood need special treatment to look good?  I should tell you that I am an old guy and am a skeptic with things like this. I am  amazed that you got this thing working  When you are satisfied with results that you are pleased with, please post them. Yes, I may try, based on your opinion 

18 hours ago, Stick486 said:

I think is special cool...

 

Thank you Stick!

 

Steve

7 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Spectacular Steve! I'm amazed you get that kind of performance from a thin line Sharpie felt tip. You probably have already thought or tried but how artist ink drawing pens (and maybe pencils) as the stylus? Hobby Lobby and Michael's seem to have large selections. That ink might be "burnable" or offer an interesting color or shadow line. But, I'm no artist so just guessing. 

 

Thanks Dave.

I have tried artist's pencils but it was still hard to see,  I'm hoping to find some with softer lead than the ones I already have. The reason I want to use pencil is because, even when I draw the pattern by hand my burn lines seldom line up exactly. That makes it important that I can erase what doesn't match.  For the record, I really appreciate your ideas and suggestions, please keep them coming.

 

Steve

5 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

I'm not sure it is cool. It presents some problems that look overwhelming. You have a lot of patience and personal skills setting this Rube Goldberg thing up. Does the ink bleed? Does the wood need special treatment to look good?  I should tell you that I am an old guy and am a skeptic with things like this. I am  amazed that you got this thing working  When you are satisfied with results that you are pleased with, please post them. Yes, I may try, based on your opinion 

 

Ron,

I appreciate your comments. Like you, I was a little skeptical when I first saw this machine. Let me assure you it was NOT a spur of the moment purchase. I watched or read everything I could find on this piece of equipment. From my research I know the machine is proven to work as advertised.  Still, there is no guarantee it will do what I want. I have to say it wouldn't be the first time I've had an idea that didn't work quite like I'd planned. I also feel that if everything I do or turn comes out perfectly than I'm not pushing myself as a turner and wannabe artist.

If you read my reply to HandyDan on this you know I used a pretty crappy piece of wood for this little test. I sanded it to only 220 grit and it had no finish or sealer applied before I put it in the machine. I'll say again, it took about five minutes to get everything lined up and then I walked away while the machine did it's thing.

Am I satisfied with these results? I am delighted with them!  Is there room for improvement? Without question there is, I believe that will come with experience.

 

Steve

Steve I had an idea when you said there was no finish. How about if you shellac the egg then use the sharpie on it , burn it. When removing the shellac which is easy to do will that remove the sharpie marks?

2 hours ago, Gerald said:

Steve I had an idea when you said there was no finish. How about if you shellac the egg then use the sharpie on it , burn it. When removing the shellac which is easy to do will that remove the sharpie marks?

 

Gerald. Thanks for the idea, at the very least it's worth a try. Ideally, I'll figure out how to make a pencil work well enough to see. If I can't do that your idea at least gives an alternative to try.

 

Steve