How many of you start your CNC cutting and then leave it? I designed a clock for my wife and the 3D carving is going to take around seven hours. I feel a little uneasy leaving it but that is a long time to stand there and watch it.

Rusty, is this a new machine for you?  Don't recall you posting CNC stuff up before

I've been using my CNCs as well as the ones where I work for over 8 years now.   Things that can go wrong include:   

- The wood starts to warp when much is cut from its face and can screw up the cut when that happens.

- A cut might eventually have the router or router mount hitting a clamp/hold-down.  Always messes up a project.

- A bit may break during an extended cut.  Doesn't always do damage when it happens, but the CNC won't notice and will waste time believing it is still cutting wood.

- drilling operations can/might start a fire if using the wrong bit or too fast a plunge rate. 

- the board can come loose, usually messing up the project. 

- The PC, if not set up right, might decide to do an update and reboot when it should be controlling the CNC.  

- Using a router the brushes and/or bearings can go bad, and always during a cut. Might end up breaking the bit in use if stops spinning while the CNC is still moving it.

 

I'm sure I've forgotten a few.   Despite the above possible experiences I do occasionally let my CNC run while I work in another room. I can usually still hear enough from the CNC room that I notice when the sounds change and will check on it.

 

4D

10 hours ago, Cal said:

Rusty, is this a new machine for you?  Don't recall you posting CNC stuff up before

Yes I am new. I was going to make a couple of small projects first. If I need to stay close then I can rough out some bowls on my lathe but that will limit me to doing it only when I have the time to stay out there.

Good luck with it Rusty, look forward to your posting some projects up!

Never leave it unattended.....that's when the real fun starts...

Edited February 15, 20206 yr by BillyJack

9 hours ago, Cal said:

Good luck with it Rusty, look forward to your posting some projects up!

Thanks it shouldn’t be much longer. I had to order a few things and they are slowly coming in.

I don't leave mine while it's running and it seems if I turn around or take my attention from it for just a minute something will happen. Bits break, clamps get in the way even when you think you planned them not to. It's hard to sit there with it on a long run, but I don't like leaving it. I just turn the tv on in the shop and listen to whatever is on, I don't even watch it.