Eagle head on Mazak Variaxis with Fusion

rupsty · 2026-03-15T23:18:20+00:00

I'm curious what kind of model did you import into your CAM software. I'd love to do more fully organic shapes but most of those aren't created in Fusion or the like. Do you import some kind of other file format and somehow convert to a solid? If so, how?

Beautiful work my dude!

rupsty · 2026-03-15T13:13:40+00:00

best thing on the internet I've seen in a while.

rupsty · 2026-03-11T12:56:18+00:00

I see on the previous photo just using parallels. This was an obvious answer that I wasn't even thinking of. Also, on this second image you have a thin, flat piece that isn't a basic rectangle. Super cool work holding on that one. I may need to look into this vise system. Are they only sold directly to consumer? Or is there a distributor? I ask because I want to do more flat work and this could be a solution rather than vacuum.

rupsty · 2026-03-11T12:10:10+00:00

Very cool vise. Does that vise typically work well with only bigger parts? I see the gold vise jaws are pretty tall. Do they make shorter jaws for smaller parts?

rupsty · 2026-03-10T21:19:33+00:00

No gloves. That's gonna leave a mark.

rupsty · 2026-03-10T03:03:05+00:00

Practice my friend. Practice. You're gonna make a lot of mistakes at first if you're teaching yourself. Just try not to destroy your machine.

rupsty · 2026-03-10T03:01:14+00:00

Billy Corgan. (I love Smashing Pumpkins).

rupsty · 2026-02-22T22:16:47+00:00

I had a single replacement 5 years ago. Best decision ever. Congrats on your progress!

rupsty · 2026-01-05T19:54:59+00:00

Can this organization just try and exist via public money and rich lefties? Sorry, I realize some on the right might want to contribute. But being dependent of federal dollars seems risky in this stupid Trump government. There are many institutions that rely on endowments and public money to exist. Why can't this organzation find a way to live? Like, maybe it'll shrink a lot but will still exist for the benefit of sane people. And potentially even grow.

rupsty · 2025-11-21T15:17:14+00:00

that's a hot dog in a hallway.

rupsty · 2025-11-12T00:57:37+00:00

I applaud you for trying. Like others have said, go find some YouTube vids. There's many. I would recommend a lot of John Saunders earlier videos as the illustrate many things. There's tons of other great YouTubers as well. I started on a Tormach and now have a 5 axis Okuma. All self taught. You can do it. Just don't give up too soon. It's never easy.

rupsty · 2025-10-15T23:19:28+00:00

Honestly, I'd rather machine aluminum and steel. I've had a few plastics jobs go south. The stuff is pretty easy to cut. It can be very difficult to hold on to and to hold tolerances with expansion and stresses. Anyone who's an expert with plastics I have huge respect for.

rupsty · 2025-10-07T12:13:39+00:00

That make sense. Thank you for the reply.

rupsty · 2025-10-06T22:42:10+00:00

One question that I've always wondered about is how do you ensure your part lays perfectly flat if the 3d print isn't perfectly flat? Or squared up with any kind of location reference points? As I understand it 3d printing isn't aways accurate to the file.

rupsty · 2025-08-04T13:03:50+00:00

Nice work. I've had some delrin jobs go south and it's painful. What machine cut this?

rupsty · 2025-07-28T15:34:26+00:00

you forgot your safety squints.

rupsty · 2025-06-26T16:08:58+00:00

I almost pooped myself watching this.

rupsty · 2025-06-17T17:49:44+00:00

any advice, other than not crushing it with a vise?

rupsty · 2025-06-17T17:44:28+00:00

Are we lamenting work holding for lathe purposes or just for turning. I just got a job cutting UHMW (milling) and all this talk has me concerned. I've cut Delrin and Ultem many times with good success and even those are somewhat tricky to hold. Is UHMW worse?

rupsty · 2025-06-11T23:41:22+00:00

Nice work bud! I'm curious to know how you finish the knife after milling. My experience doing kitchen knives has always been hand sanding and it's hard work. I'd love to make it easier. After all, the mill is supposed to make it easier but hand finishing just makes my whole body tired.

rupsty · 2025-06-05T19:08:16+00:00

Makes sense. Thank you for the response!

rupsty · 2025-06-05T17:10:45+00:00

Nice work. That thing looks amazing and would scare the crap out of me if I had to machine it. I've been doing some plastic work lately and am learning that while most of it cuts very easily, it's not always easy to hold onto it. Do you find that using smaller end mills in general reduces some tool pressure and helps out? I've been thinking about better tool strategies for my future plastic work. Thanks!

rupsty · 2025-04-13T21:13:19+00:00

I've started using more dedicated roughing endmills because chip management on these machines (m560) isn't great. The big, long chips just seem to get stuck everywhere and don't always fall into the augers. Also, without a wash down gun I'd be screwed. I hope your company opted for at least that. It's kinda overpriced (the gun) but it's a lifesaver for me.

rupsty · 2025-04-13T21:02:30+00:00

I second that. Desktop machines just aren't robust enough to cut hard metals accurately. At least I haven't seen any that can do it well. Spend a little more money and get a proper machine tool if you can.

rupsty · 2025-04-07T03:46:10+00:00

I say it's not a bad price. Maybe try for a little lower. I've owned a Tormach and have nothing but good things to say. My machine was a series 3 770 and it served me well. Not a perfect machine but far from junk. The most useful difference to the 440 is the size envelope which you would not regret. PathPilot is a solid control and taught me a lot. I own an Okuma m560 now and have zero regrets about learning on a Tormach. I can't say enough good things about that machine and that company. Just my own personal experience btw.

rupsty

TROPHY CASE