4 Tip, Tricks, and Hacks for using Inventables Easel

[@KomarProject]

Dude I just picked one up and I’m starting to watch videos how to use it. So awesome that this is the first video that popped up for me when I did a search lol. Had no idea you are a pro on this machine. Now I know where to go when I set it up and start playing around. Great info brother !!!!!

[@furthernorthfab]

Komar Project 100%. Reach out if you need anything

[@AceWoodCo]

Thanks for the tips Kris, 3 years later and still helping a guy out!

[@furthernorthfab]

I can’t even watch my old video. I get to critical of myself

[@Michael-lo3ht]

Skip the background music. Try it with ear buds and you will see what I mean. Thanks for the video.

[@lehcim777]

Love this video, I also noticed you have the same Laser engraver as I have. I bought it like 4 years ago could not make it work, the my wife got cancer so on the shelf it went along with my X-Carve. so do you mind if I ask questions about it? Maybe you could do videos about it. thanks

[@furthernorthfab]

Sorry to hear about your wife. I actually do not have the J tech laser anymore. I’ve since upgraded to an OptLaser

[@roberttomlinson5351]

Thank you. Great demo for a beginner like me. Please post more!!

[@stevekinnaird6835]

Thanks for sharing. I just finished assembly and did a simple first carve last night. Very excited as to where it will take me as a hobbyist.

[@furthernorthfab]

You are going to love it, Steve. Hopefully the video helped!

[@rhaepers1]

Great video. Nice to see some recent x-carve videos from people. Cant wait to see more! I recently ordered the 1000x1000 and am waiting for shipment.

[@furthernorthfab]

Have fun with the build! Let me know how it goes. Hopefully the video had some helpful tips to get you started with Easel.

[@darcellmclain5967]

0:46 I am new to this I would like to carve out like welcome and then clean it up. Go over it a couple times. How do I do that?

[@glenncooper447]

Very usable video. Thanks

[@Artisanwoodworks73]

What bit and what settings did you use for the aluminum work?

[@htom4809]

Hey Chris, are you intending to make your gantry higher?

[@FloppyHatPhotos]

Please drop the back ground music its not needed & WAY to load. Have a great day. Patrick

[@tpatrickm1]

that song was so annoying lol

[@jsarkozy]

was just thinking the same thing...totally unnecessary (and annoying) in an otherwise helpful video

[@UriValdez]

Good stuff man, thanks for sharing

[@ShaunGuthrie-CaskWoodworking]

Wow, seems to be a lot easier than I thought. Great video!!

[@furthernorthfab]

Totally! It’s a lot of fun too!

[@webbybee]

did u make that cutting board with glue and wood? or u able to purchase wood already done like that ?

[@robertatardelly]

Hey thanks for the video! Do you know if it’s possible to trace something and somehow upload to easel?

[@freeelectron8261]

Nice "how to" for Easel app - didn't know you could do rounded lines. BTW. Really nice laminated cutting board. Thanks for the video!

[@furthernorthfab]

Thanks for watching. Glad you learned something.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Helpful. Going to be getting my hands on an xcarve soon. Thanks for sharing.

[@furthernorthfab]

Awesome! Just starting the planning of a second tips video. If you have any questions, please let me know. If you do order a machine, there are some tips I’d also offer. Feel free to reach out on Instagram or through my website

[@ej9147]

Really informative video, I learned a lot, I also hope you have learned to edit your sound, I don't care about the music but the up and down of the volume was very distracting

[@fshng2114]

Wow. Just subbed because it was such a great video. I am looking to buy some type of CNC and just discovered this machine. The software ease of use seems to be a real selling point. Project Idea: Just curious if you have ever done anything with a round shape? For example I was wondering if one half of a fishing lure could be made then flipped over for the other side. The basic shape would be a tapered dowel type shape with a rounded front.

[@furthernorthfab]

Evan and Katelyn did a great video on this. here is a link to one of their videos about making complex shapes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6LRp62uqr15irM

[@fshng2114]

Thanks for the quick reply and for recommending another excellent site. That's exactly what I was looking for. I look forward to seeing your machine upgrade video.

[@jasonrodriguez2892]

If you still use this as a platform, question for you how did you use the juice grove and get your width set up? I just got my xcarve and I can lay out the square. I notice yours was wider.

[@furthernorthfab]

I entered the size of the bit I was using into Easel

[@Barneyscarpetcleaning]

I really enjoy working with my x-carve it will be interesting to see your up grade video. I would like to do that too. Where did you find the file for the plates to add height?

[@furthernorthfab]

Barney's Carpet Cleaning thanks for watching. I uploaded the file onto the projects page on the Inventables website. There is also a link in the description.

[@richconolly5119]

I know this is a little older, but do you know where to get the longer rails still?

[@furthernorthfab]

I don’t think anyone is selling them anymore, but I have seen guys combine two rails into one to make a longer rail.

[@richconolly5119]

@@furthernorthfab how would you do that without a bump

[@signal202000able]

Help. I am trying to use a half in round nose bit to make a juice groove but easel doesn't recognize the bit, so it won't carve. How can I program it to carve a juice groove?

[@furthernorthfab]

Run a test piece but just use the width of the bit in easel. Do not worry about the bit type.

[@brianpreston8483]

newbie here, and yes you did teach me many things

[@chasesmall8902]

Can you link the laser you added? Can you post a laser setup tutorial? I’m looking to add one to my xcarve

[@furthernorthfab]

I’m JUST working on a video for a new laser, which I would 100% recommended over my last one. It’s the Optlaser. Keep an eye out. Hopefully I’ll have the new video up within a week or so.

[@ObscruosDD]

How to you make it that the cnc machine prover in easel cuts out the whole image in easel or do you do it manually like this seen on 3:54

[@furthernorthfab]

I just use the drawing tools built into easel

[@ObscruosDD]

@@furthernorthfab ok thank you :)

[@truth6027]

I’m more impressed with that piece of wood you used to make that cutting board. Where did you get it?

[@furthernorthfab]

I made the board. It’s a end grain cutting board

[@truth6027]

Mortgage & Mitre , Great job!!

[@gregcraig9333]

Great info. Thanks

[@enriquesoul5370]

Excellent information and tutorial. Only thing that distracted from it was the volume of the music getting loud at the demonstration parts. Otherwise, great video ty.

[@Sizzle99]

What bits do you recommend for carving aluminum?

[@furthernorthfab]

In have a three flute upcut but I use

[@lafondesigns3885]

Nice overview. Thanks for the tips and tricks!

[@furthernorthfab]

Hope it helps as you get started with Easel.

[@ToxicFlies13]

Great video! Are you still planning on doing upgrade videos?

[@furthernorthfab]

Haha I was just editing that video yesterday! It’ll hopefully be out soon

[@ToxicFlies13]

@@furthernorthfab Great! I just subscribed so I won't miss it.

[@MorginjBlack]

how can I make easel run on my smoothieboard CNC

[@jbradley5123]

Thanks for the Vid. Looking to purchase and doing my homework.

[@furthernorthfab]

Xcarve is a good place to start.

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

Great video, thanks for the tips, useful especially svg, hadn't seen that one before and keep them coming, would like to see some more.....music not really needed or keep it so low if doesn't irritate as like others i listen to this with buds in, the video content and your narrative is very good. short and sweet and to the point. You come across very well. Big mistake made by lots of people is to waffle and put in music when most the time its not needed and distracts your attention. Thank you. Sub'd

[@shelby50411]

Are all these cool easel settings in easel standard or easel pro?.....also my only concern is that inventables doesnt go out of business then lots of owners would be screwed...however makecsure you learn how to use UGS universal gcodecsender......that way youncan use any toolpath software and send to xcarve

[@furthernorthfab]

This is all on the standard free Easel environment. You can still use Easel as a sender. I’ve done a few setups on Fusion and imported the G-code.

[@shelby50411]

Thanks mine is a 2015 model original specs...where and how would i upgrade firmware?..are you referring to the grbl version?

[@furthernorthfab]

Yep. I have a 2015 version as well

[@meoutwest]

great video. Thanks for sharing. I have been trying to design in sketchup for easel and now I know how.

[@furthernorthfab]

Glad that helped. Feel free to message me if you need any help with the plugin

[@lpliv123]

Is it possible to get 3D carving from Easel or Easel Pro? Thanks, I'm looking at buying an X-Carve to make guitars and other wood carvings.. (Multi layered carved or arch top as well as strat types of guitars) Thanks for your response

[@furthernorthfab]

Hi Phil, It's totally possible to use Easel for this. I'm not sure if you are familiar with Fusion 360, but the CAM portion of Fusion would allow you to export G-code that Easel could run in either version. If you do order a machine, let me know first and I can send you a link.

[@lpliv123]

@@furthernorthfab Thanks

[@markzwolfer2220]

thank you! this was very helpful

[@furthernorthfab]

Glad to hear! Thanks for watching.

[@airgunningyup]

is there any way to get easel to start with the cutter at the center of the work??

[@furthernorthfab]

Yes, there is a setting for that or in you are importing G-code from programs like Fusion 360, you can start the middle as your start point.

[@airgunningyup]

ok , ill have to look again.. im actually exporting from easel to universal g code sender

[@airgunningyup]

and UGS shows the origin point that was set in the other program , so it has to be done in easel

[@furthernorthfab]

You know what, Rob. I might be wrong about being able to chance the starting point. I’m not super familiar with UGS. I’ve used it with my laser engraver and I always have it set on there to start from the bottom left corner.

[@airgunningyup]

in UGS , it uses the start point you used in whatever program./. SO for example when I use fengrave , it automatically starts in the center because I set it that way in F engrave.. Whereas with easel , I have no idea how to move my bit to center in the virtual platform on the right,.

[@chuckcook2853]

Im new at this and kinda a padorkas, how do I draw ? how do I stop the line segment?

[@furthernorthfab]

Try double clicking on the end point if the line.

[@chuckcook2853]

it worked...awesome, now how do I get rid of them little screens ,I tried to move them to back , but I apparently aint doin it right

[@furthernorthfab]

chuck cook sorry, not sure what you means.

[@chuckcook2853]

@@furthernorthfab 1 is the sreen on far left that has "shapes,lines,letters"and something "else

[@chuckcook2853]

how o I get the full screen too ?

[@adambaldwin8692]

Do you have more basic examples?

[@furthernorthfab]

Adam Baldwin working on another video. Stay tuned.

[@EricTurcotte--eoto88]

Thanks for the video, just learned few tips! :)

[@furthernorthfab]

Awesome! Working on a second version in the next few months.

[@vvirusty]

Easel works with all the cnc machines I use it on the onefinity

[@furthernorthfab]

Sure does!

[@brian21797]

when I do a design, where it is showing on the board on the software, and where it actually carves are 2 totally different spots. why

[@shelby50411]

Its not a very rigid machine due to its wheel and belt design but for wood projects it can produce good results....but results depend on a lot of variables such as tooling and how well you assembled your machine

[@ContComp]

The machine has stopped working on this program and I do not know why ... I have subscribed to the error by pro and now I only want to test the operation of the machine .... I tried to log out of the account and log in from another account but I have a problem .... What is required of me please Help ....

[@moburg]

On the Y Axis upgrade, you should have matched the shape to the width of your material. You were already carving the outside of the shape. You see that it does not cut anything on the bottom of the design (left side in video), but does cut into the material on the top (right side). If design was set to the full 2 inches matching the material, the width of finished product would have been the full 2 inches. Otherwise, good tips! Thanks!

[@gailjohnson3544]

What's the largest size you can cut

[@furthernorthfab]

About 29” x 29”

[@shelby50411]

How has your xcarve been doing....does it ever lose steps /position....mine does?

[@furthernorthfab]

Double check if there is any firmware updates you’re missing. That might help

[@shelby50411]

You are correct...easel is very simple yet can do some very cool projects....also the inventables community is freakin awesome they have helped me many times...and inventables cust serv is great.....although im not a big fan of the design of the machine...it does offer a lot of perks other better machines just dont have such as the community and cust serv and so much freakin stuff out there regarding this machine......parts easy to get....upgrades easy to buy or make.....and help is endless.....lots of free projects ....and lots of youtube help and informational videos

[@shelby50411]

I just bought an older xcarve 1000mm 2016 model....unassembled...paid 200 for it :)......i actually think i did well for the price....did a couple test carves and it did well

[@furthernorthfab]

Thanks the same one I have, but I’ve made some mods. Great buy.

[@jessica4194]

How in the world did u get it so cheap?

[@furthernorthfab]

Just got to keep your eye out.

[@jessica4194]

@@furthernorthfab ​ Mortgage & Mitre So, I'm waiting to hear back from someone who is selling, I think this same 2016 model. I know it needs a wasteboard. I'm waiting on him to send some pics because he is an hour away. $575 asking. Is that too high for a model like this, even if it's in great condition? Waiting on more details what it comes with/mods, etc.

[@maxdivine]

Great video, thank you! Audio is verrrry unbalanced though.

[@furthernorthfab]

I do agree! I’ve learned a lot since I made this one three years ago. Have a peak at my newer videos!

[@SuperMarciocamargo]

LEAVE THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE PLEASE

[@shelby50411]

What modiifications have you done....

[@furthernorthfab]

I’ve added a laser and added a stiffer gantry. I have parts to change out the z axis with a linear c beam an make the machine 1000x1800, just need the time to do it.

[@WillRyder3rd]

Is that a freaking laser beam? Great video, still learning myself.

[@furthernorthfab]

Will Ryder haha. The laser is a lot of fun. It was a great addition to the X Carve

[@WillRyder3rd]

Mortgage & Mitre I’ve been looking at some set ups, waiting for the machine to pay for itself first.

[@furthernorthfab]

Will Ryder we lucked out and the first project I did with the laser paid for the upgrade

[@WillRyder3rd]

Mortgage & Mitre Well, dang. I’m currently filling orders for these scrabble letters,(Video on my channel) but since I’m active duty it hard to keep up. The neighborhood ladies are nuts for them.

[@bentebrunsvelt319]

Good work thanks

[@furthernorthfab]

Thanks for watching! Let me know if you try any of the projects.

[@ContComp]

Do I need to use UGS with EASEL ? or not....

[@furthernorthfab]

No you do not.

[@margaretwoodard7696]

this video was really helpful!!! thank you for making it! dont know what an svg file is, but can i import jpegs from a program like publisher? thanks

[@ryankatigbak4926]

Hello Sir, The Easel Software is Compatible or can use to any brand of Cnc laser machine?

[@furthernorthfab]

From what I know if it, no. I would look at something like Lightburn for a cnc laser

[@martinv.2252]

Thank you!

[@furthernorthfab]

Trying to make a follow up video this fall. Stay tuned for that

[@martinv.2252]

@@furthernorthfab I will! Thanks for the quick response.

[@shelby50411]

awesome....i bought a cheap 650x500 chinese laser machine...dont want to make my xcarve an all in one...rather use it for what it is and not fiddle with it too much.....too much fiddling will cause machine to not last as long and you can make it out of alignment..so my xcarve is just an xcarve only.....i have seen a lot of people add on lasers but thats not for me...i enjoy having a dedicated laser machine

[@frontcentermusician]

Great lesson. Not keen on the odd music.

[@ambience46]

Thank You!!!!!!!!

[@furthernorthfab]

Working on a follow up video to this one.

[@shelby50411]

It appears you dont use clamps...you just screw ur part down into the mdf using wood screws?

[@furthernorthfab]

Guess it should have been 5 tips or tricks. Haha

[@rickroy1136]

@@furthernorthfab I thought that I was the only one to screw directly into a sacrificial MDF table top! It works so much better than clamps!

[@furthernorthfab]

It’s called a waste board or spoil board for a reason, right 😜. Mdf is cheap. Haha... thanks for watching

[@julianvidal7361]

One disadvantage of screws is that a mistake in programming your gcode will make the bit run through the screw which more often than not means a broken bit. You can also use double sided tape or better yet use painters tape and CA glue. This works beautifully. Place a piece of tape on the wasteboard facing down so that it actually sticks to the wasteboard. Optionally sprinkle baking soda -just a little bit- as an accelerant. Stick another piece of tape to the back of your raw material. Add a few beads of CA to the tape you stuck to your material and stick it to the wasteboard making sure your tapes are aligned. You end up from bottom to top: wasteboard, tape, ca glue, tape, material. This is so strong that you don't even need tabs. After you are done, just pull the material off the wasteboard with your hand and peel the tape. No mess, no scraping, no tabs, no clamps, no screws, and it's super fast. If you have CA accelerator it's instantaneous even.

[@zapp442]

The music is very distracting. Why do some many youtubers put annoying music in their video’s?

[@Quickkarul]

New X carve owner. Anyone out there want to help a brother out on first carve? I’m scared I’m going to tear something up!!

[@timffoster]

Music is really distracting. And it got old after about 20 seconds. The rest of it is good tho. Thanks.

[@bobwinter877]

Hi, I've seen some of your video and I see you have a lot of Inventables Easel experience. I recently bought a small 3018 CNC Machine Router 3Axis Engraving on eBay and tried to work with it, unfortunately without success. I don’t any experience with CNC Machine or computer I’m just an old Mann and try to help a few animals to get a better life. I learn every day from youtube so I can help them. I have been working with different Animal Rescue in New Zealand for many years but also some in other countries my whole life. My life is all about animals and I'm trying to help out where it goes. I have just got 8 own dogs and 4 Foster Dogs we have over a hundred dogs in our BAY OF ISLANDS ANIMAL RESCUE for adoption. I wanted to ask you if you could help me and maybe make me a G-code for DOG tags so that we can Tag all Rescue and all other dogs with Dog tags. If they go lost we easy get them Home and they not will not pick up from the Animal Control and spend time in a terrible Council Pound and even get Kilt because nobody pick them up after a few Days. I already order about 1000 of this TAGS eBay “Round Circle Pet Dog Tags Custom Personalized Cat Name Phone Collar ID Tag Size:35*32*1MM” I like to engrave them with and give them for free to every Dog Rescue and every other Dogs...But I really need your Help to set up this engraving Machine. Please could you help me? Friends for the love of Animals is driven by the simple philosophy that kindness to animals helps build a better world for all of us.*... All animals should be treated with compassion, love and respect. Everyone needs to spay or neuter their pets, so many animals not enough good people! Have a heart adopt! Because your giving an Animal a second chance at life.*Saving just one pet won't change the world, but surely, the world will change for that one pet.*Have a nice Day. Bob,Friends for the love of Animals

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

Try the facebook group SainSmart Genmitsu CNC Users Group . They will get your 3018 going for you.

[@misimiki]

Cool stuff. But I hate to be a naysayer: is that MDF you are using? If so you should really have some proper dust collection or wear a mask as MDF dust is not very healthy for you, as it may contain formaldehyde.

[@furthernorthfab]

Thanks, I have since bought a Suckit dust boot for my XCarve to manage the sawdust.

[@Joshua-ju5uc]

dude the background music was bad, try for no lyrics next time. The repeating was distracting from what was going on

[@philiphaycock3845]

Turned up the volume to hear the narration. Vid cuts to cnc blasting out 100 decibels.. wakes up entire house at 5am. Thanks. Where is the tutorial anyway? This is just clips of playing with random stuff.

[@MembraneRecoveryLtd]

Put a music within explanations is very bad idea

[@bernym4047]

Video is great thanks but next time, lose the irritating background music after your intro. It drowns out your audio. I guarantee 50% of your audience will not share your taste in music. 😂

[@shelby50411]

I dont machine into my wasteboard....i use cardboard as a wasteboard lol....works ok so far...i put cardboard under my projects if im going to cut through....so my wasteboard does not look like urs lol

[@nickwstp]

So, 4 years later, how does your wasteboard look?

[@furthernorthfab]

Lol. Like a Picasso painting. It’s time to replace it

[@mrsplashventures]

Great video but so irritating music. Thank you

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

you explained nothing of each supposedly 'trick'... I wasted my time... but t.y. for trying.

[@MrNocebo]

Sound levels all over the place, awful to listen to.

[@wilbertdegreef5153]

Remove the background music. It is very irritating,

[@qwertymohamedfaroeks7033]

i dislike , only because of the soundlevels..