Brushed Patterns With The Arduino CNC

Making a Dremel tool holder and experimenting with brushed designs on steel and aluminum. The software used is free and called EASEL, it can be found on inventables . com.
You can watch how I built this CNC machine here:
• DIY Arduino Powered CN...
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/ absorberoflight

[@HardwayRanch]

I just finished binge watching your entire cnc table series. You are a hero! Thank you for taking the time to share your work. Seeing how you made your table has given me the final level of confidence that I can do this myself.

[@drmkiwi]

Great idea with the brush. And I wouldn't be too concerned about the "mess" - who cares about the mess when you are so creative!

[@AbsorberofLight]

haha! Thanks man, I gonna say this to my wife ;)

[@jonathanreardon281]

Dude I have been researching a cnc build for my plasma. You have opened my eyes to all the possabilities with this video! Rock on!

[@MrBrettStar]

Your videos just keep getting better and better! Not only informative but fun to watch. I have so many projects I want to start once my new house is finished and a CNC machine just like yours is at the top of my list. Keep up the good work!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks a lot Brett! Good luck with your build!

[@BergRD]

Spent the last few hours watching this entire build and wanted to state it's been absolutely fantastic! Great work and like your style. Nothing fancy, straight to the point and spot on. Subbed for future builds!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks a lot man!

[@TheKencmh]

Watched all of your cnc videos. You are an inspiration. Looking to build my own. Great work. I've also learned more on KZbin than college. Great for research. Keep it up, you're doing great.

[@Bowtie41]

Nice job again! I would suggest cutting about half the length of the bristles off to make it stiffer.Also,get different brushes in mild steel,stainless,brass,and nylon and the effects will change depending on what you are brushing materialwise.If you use a flatfaced sanding disc,spring-loaded like your pens,you can do awesome engine-turned panels like your guitar,but more uniform than the brushes.BTW,I just hit the old brush faces on a sander to shorten and make like new.Hope this helps! Oh,and what the Hell you expect to get from someone who can't even spell FART right,lol Like you,I have learned SO MUCH on YT from people sharing their knowledge,and Bless you all for sharing!

[@Ben-ry1py]

Wow man, you really got a lot going for you. I appreciate your knowledge, attitude, humor, artistry, and your wife is adorable. It's all very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

[@Dieggo-goncalves]

hello friend, my name is Diego, I am Brazilian and I have learned a lot from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I am building a CNC from their videos, thank you. congratulations

[@AbsorberofLight]

Brazil!!! My second largest audience. Thank you for your comment.

[@ctbully]

Wow ! I stumbled across your vlog and I must say, Man you impress the hell out of me. Ive been thinking about building my own cnc machine to do my circuit boards and you basically solidified my resolve. Thank you Sir, You are an inspiration. Only one slightly negative comment from me. In your earlier eposides you welded without a welding helmet. Man thats scary LOL

[@owpeterj]

Hands, eyes, skin - radiation - not a recommendable combo. Some kind of glove, and with MIG tacking, turn away, closed eyes. All else is good gloves, all skin covered, helmet. As a byword, I am not the easiest in self disciplining - so I allow my will to ignore the issue ' just now ' to invoke a kind of enourmously stubborn stop sign for my ignorance - ignore-ing-ance=stance, and go get, arrange the required stuff. The radiation can burn deep. Like you, I find this brother man, an inspiration - knows how to put it across and the visual enough to work out ones own doing. A graet combo - y'hear bright spark? OK, absorber of light - so u say... LOL + LoL

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks John, I will try to be more safety conscious.

[@64t120r]

Pretty cool. Now I'm thinking of building something similar. The video was fun as well. When your wife came out, I was rolling. She reminded me of my wife when I'm doing "goofy" things.

[@robert5]

That mount with the bolts holding against the frame that held the dremel, you could have simply sharpened the end of the bolts at 45 degrees and drilled holes half the diameter of the bolts. Then, simply tighten bolts until they entered the holes locking the dremel frame in place. A nice side feature, to mark the holes on the frame simply insert frame and tighten sharpened bolts until they made marks. Remove frame and drill then deburr and your good to go. The limitation is you probably could not tighten the bolts very tight or the holes would start to deform inward due to the thin tube. The bolts could simply be tightened more to compensate. there would maybe need to be jam nuts for the bolts as vibrations could cause them to loosen. I realize this video is older, just thought I'd throw that idea out there for use or discussion. The internet is awesome for learning stuff, I agree with you. I really think there is a lot to be done with the brush designs using this kind of system. Even if it was simply used to do engine turning, there could be $$ to be made as people like it and few places can/will do it. If you could do engine turning and do new and unique repeating patterns instead of just the circles, that could turn into a whole new business. Custom car dashes with the car builders logo done with small brushes inserted into the engine turn pattern, super cool.

[@noodlesd9126]

Thank you so much. I've also learned far more from youtube than school. The cnc in a little much for me but I'm building the stylus pattern router thingy out of wood. I'll shim the pivot arm up at and run multiple vertically passes for cnc like perfect shaping I've always wanted

[@miguhbaaleh4]

Looks cool !!! I watched all of your CNC videos, you inspired me to build one!!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Great! That's the idea :)

[@JermwoodMakes]

Hey man just wanted to say you're a bad ass. Love the videos keep it up. That short Vlog bit at the end... I'm right there with you 100% KZbin is full of knowledge and experience that can be had for free! Hopefully it continues to snowball.

[@AbsorberofLight]

You rock brother! Thanks for saying that and thanks for watching the whole video.

[@sammyriver1]

Dude, You are awesome !!! I think we may be twins, ( I don't look like you ) but I am into everything you do, this is the best video I have ever seen, I will be building one of these, I may do my from aluminum, like you said, you can use any material you want. Once again, thank you so much, I watched all of them, I agree with your parting statement also, KZbin is free knowledge !!! -Sammy D.

[@roddy46198]

Cool Project! Knowledge through KZbin, Awesome. I'm inspired to make one as well and will probably spend a lot more on the material costs than you have but hey, I like it to look pretty too. Keep On!

[@blackfoxmachining]

Love watching your cnc how to videos! Keep up the great work!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Much appreciated!

[@aipresenting]

Great results! Loved the part with the Pokemons :)

[@n.ibralic728]

gr8 video....looking forward to a new one!

[@Hopeinformer]

You are awesome. Thank you for these great videos. I would use a wingnut on the Dremel clamp if you need to remove it often

[@BIGBUD71]

just watched all your cnc build vids....awesome mate...wish i could build something like that....but i got to build a workshop first and learn to weld :) realy good man....enjoyed the watch

[@vthrash7832]

That's a really clever way to use a cnc man!, i'ts a lot of work saved!

[@RGCbaseace]

Awesomeness I really think your on to something gotta try this myself well done absorber of light

[@jeffkoeppen4220]

Cool watching you do your thing

[@JohnKlopp]

Love your creativity and ingenuity and thanks for sharing!

[@GaronStimpson]

Great Vid Dave... and Lace

[@jrbass62]

Mad Skills!!! Love it!!!

[@hectorperez8434]

Chingon! mi compa! Saludos y un bote Modelo por usted

[@valveman12]

You have some great ideas. Love to watch your builds. Wouldn't it be great to turn this into a profitable business. Thank you for sharing :O)

[@TheFeFactor]

Very cool, I have to try this on my CNC!

[@alvarohernandez1285]

Hola amigo!!!, Nice work and great ideas you have. Thanks for sharing.

[@etchmfg]

Keep the vids coming! Loving it.

[@telocify]

absolutely awesome!! thx for sharing man

[@MrLgmurphysr]

I believe the texture from the heated aluminum is called reticulation or reticulated. This happens when working with silver.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks for that info. I had no idea.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Very interesting!

[@imperiooficial4868]

Excelente, te felicito. Saludos desde Argentina!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Muchas gracias!

[@kevinmcnamara7897]

Love your work.

[@MrConnor128]

Great idea and video! Thank you!!

[@yeinierferras2721]

Nice artwork, and your CNC is awesome ;)

[@dejayrezme8617]

Nice video! I loved all the CNC build videos! Thanks a lot! :) I wonder how well this brush technique would look on anodized aluminium though, since it's pretty hard and basically sapphire.

[@wrzkace1]

That is too cool i dig it!!

[@moegasim]

Amazing work....great vidz. thank you

[@ericlouis]

Awesome dude!

[@watahyahknow]

cool idea , would be nice to make aluminium doorskins for cars and hot rods using that method wonder if you can do the same thing with an ofset scratching tool mounted in the dremel it should make swirled lines depending on the travelspeed of the cariage s but im not sure if the offset will cause too mush vibrations

[@ALEXSYSTEMS]

Very good, especially at the time to shoot in turkey? (Muito bom, principalmente na hora fazer pontaria no peru? - Portugues BR)

[@alkhatieb]

Good Work , Keep going ...

[@ScinnerNo1]

"I've got more education out of KZbin than highscool and colage, combined" Hear hear!

[@RayKdev]

wow, cool. Thank you very much for your videos!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks for watching Ray!

[@Lardzor]

I wonder what it would look like if you colored-anodized a sheet of steel with your CNC machine and a torch.

[@felixdietzCGN]

nice CNC, great Sense of Humor and a hot wife, I really like your videos :)

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thank you Felix, and my wife thanks you too ;)

[@RezToRealLife]

Your wife looks like a cute version of Angelina Jolie. My question is, does she really have an inner bitch to channel like she claimed? Because it looked like she was struggling with that. Great vids. I've learned a lot and have been inspired. Thx very much.

[@jaredlyman1079]

How about a simple cam system across face of vertical bars to secure tool head?

[@thebigchuckster]

cool result. i love your laid-back approach! btw, have you tried a cupped brush?

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks. Haven't tried a cupped brush but I will soon!

[@mitchwright1558]

Too cool !

[@cyberspooky]

I wonder if you used a ball tip if it would burnish copper sheet ? Have you tried a quick release pica tinny rail setup , love your work 😎

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks man, I may have to try both of your suggestions.

[@HelenaOfDetroit]

I come from the world of cinematography. How about a quick release plate design like what manfrotto has on their tripod heads? You already have the slide, just add tabs and a lock

[@AbsorberofLight]

Great idea! Thank you I appreciate your suggestion.

[@HelenaOfDetroit]

Absorber Of Light Well keep up the great work regardless of what you do! You'll be at over 100k subs in less then 6 months from now; I guarantee it.

[@mattesmaschmeier]

maybe use few strong magnets from a harddrive for a tool release like the snap'n cut system chucke2009 is using...

[@AbsorberofLight]

I'll have to check that out, thanks for the advice.

[@evren.builds]

Best intro ever ;)

[@zerocool2352]

Spooky ... I've found a doppelgänger.

[@johnnygumballdotcom]

how the hell did you get such a pretty wife... ??? .. it gives me hope!!!

[@RFT986]

HOOOOOO

[@RFT986]

HELLO BOSS, VERY INTERESTING. ARE U PROGRAMED ARDINO? HOW U GET CODES? I TRIES MANY TIMES ... FAILED. THROUGH MY ARDUNO TO INDIAN gaNGA RIVER... CAN U HELP ME

[@pkurashov]

Hi, That a nice CNC you've build, with whatever tool attached! A bit unrelated to wonderful brushing in this video however general question to your build - at least on video it is appears that you just tack-weld everything and not thoroughly weld after. Even for the base frame with most load. Can you comment if there any reason/concept behind or proof me I'm wrong? Cheers!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Hello, The base itself was welded. Everything else is tacked for two reasons: I may want to disassemble or modify later and, if I was to weld it would distort and possibly misalign. These are heavier tacks than usual and definitely strong enough. Thanks for watching!

[@pkurashov]

Absorber Of Light Got it. Thanks!

[@awanna.B]

Super Cooooooooooooooooooool

[@vladlv2]

rigidity and deflection of axes on this machine could be really in question... the ultimate test could be to cut a perfect circle from 5mm stainless steel with carbide cutter. say 0.5mm per pass. this all seems like way overkill, why not to use chinese spindles with frequency control and water cooling, they cost just 100$ and are way better, also come with holder... also they allow precise rpm control without loosing torque. unlike crappy dremel

[@IntiCondo]

Very Well! Make a giant :D print 3D with metal parts. :D congratulations :D

[@greatwarior6317]

where can i find the cnc project?

[@nermin1985]

Hello I like your cnc machine,can you tell me what is model your stpper motor ? for x.y.z ? THNX

[@AbsorberofLight]

thanks. NEMA 17

[@nermin1985]

Thnx for answer me,but can you tell me how is Ampers and how is volts .Any specifications

[@AbsorberofLight]

Google Nema 17 bro.

[@noobies8790]

i like you a lot sir...

[@gilklar]

what CNC software is that?

[@AbsorberofLight]

It's called EASEL. More details here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKW5o5hpqb-qpKc

[@JamiestimpsonOrg]

Channeling my inner Bitch! Love ya Sugar!!! I think that hot wife of yours needs to make more guest appearances 🔥 killing it as always

[@maga_q_anon8384]

Lmfao. Some Pokemons

[@maga_q_anon8384]

That was fuckin great!

[@OldIronRC]

Nice effect.

[@owpeterj]

Just great bro. I watched you work through the making of the cnc bed - a lot of continuous effort. Your thoughts at the end of this are so right. I also learn mounds, heaps, masses through folks using yt as interface. What often amazes me, is the huge doings involved with making the vid. Angles, multiple cams to operate whilst doing - then the curating of the stuff - masses of timeline... Editing and so on. OK - you'se a wife n food - it's clean, so that's a huge benefit. Me tired n hungry = back to 'work'2 make food then.... I have a hassle with keeping attention - this I just mentioned is the large bit, I reckon often goes unnoticed. You doing great bro, and I hope I somehow, on my sandy stony floor will get to build a cnc bed. As you're indicating, its uses are many and I could put most of them to good use now. A whole bunch of decades ago.... info much restricted and can't compare to today. I love what you shared bro. It's clear, continuous, humourous - nice shooting after you changed from the flippy gopro type. Really well done. The brushing is super cool and the effect is easy to see on the screen as three d. The brush wore down, but you hadn't spring loaded it so I'm a little surprised the end result 'appeared' on screen to be 'homogonous' - even throughout. To family inclusive felix (cat) warm regards.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks a lot man, I really appreciate your comment.

[@LeonUnger]

At the end you really have the rigths . You are a saint ! Your dedication to do the best ever, is very hard to find nowadays. Nobody needs do put you down ! Your efforts never stops to amaze me ! Your knowledge teatchs me much indeed ! I'm a best machinist becouse i've been watching your videos and "Absorbing the Light" that you emanate every time you share your videos with us. Thank you very much.

[@PiefacePete46]

It's called "The test of time"... I binge-watched your videos about 7 years ago, and loved them. I have referred to them often, in answering comments elsewhere, and I use your "University of KZbin" quote all the time. (With attribution, of course!). Now, I am watching them again, and they are still great! I hope your last seven years has been as enjoyable as mine! Thanks again.

[@stevenq4859]

literally the best CNC set of videos I have been looking for

[@loskop100]

I made up a mount on the Z with dovetails, the dovetails have a 3 thou taper out of parallel so that the tool locks into place with a cam and handle keeps the zero when changing tools. I used 10mm ally plate for the tool holders with matching out of parallel dovetails and it seems to return to zero ok but I only work with wood and plastics. You right on the money when you say that knowledge is free, I build my cnc from only what I learned on Utube including how to draw in cad and how to actually work the machine. It is people like you that is driving this access to knowledge and making a real difference to peoples lives by enabling us to be able to tackle seemingly impossible projects and succeed. Thank you and ifn you are ever down this way I'll shout you a couple of schooners.

[@AlexandreSilveiraLecoXD]

Cara que efeito loco! Não vejo a hora de terminar minha Router CNC :)

[@lowrider9367]

Well I have watched your vids on your CNC build. I can truly say that I am VERY impressed with what you have done. Your definitely an inspirational person. I like your style & how you build good stuff with equipment that most guys have in their garage. I like your comment at the end of the video. (Pesky Little Trolls) Thanks for the videos. Hope to see more...

[@christerlangley8919]

I normally browse U-tube for answers to my ponderings. Ran across your first video and sat through all of your Cnc project. Wow, On the fly.. Awsome. I built two of these when I retired from military and they where both the same on the fly. I enjoyed your videos keep them comeing. Also tell the wife good job on keeping you createing! No time for Pokemon

[@zluca05]

I enjoyed your CNC build, and this is another great use of your machine. Next I assume you'll be adding the plasma cutter? :) Your videos are very clear and i like your style of presentation. Your added humor makes them easy to watch.

[@allanpierron2296]

glad to see your back.I like the way you built your cnc.I'm building one like your just a little smaller.But I have a question your x and y lead screws I no you said that they were 3/8"x36" acme but what thread do they have ? and where did you buy them? Allan

[@SamJones1956]

I've seen all the videos about the construction of the cnc. Many thanks for the many tips and infos. I have learned a lot. Greetings from austria, to australia! With us there is no kangaroo! ;-))

[@maga_q_anon8384]

Yep! KZbin, the way of gaining knowledge. I myself have learned more than high school.

[@anandkvinu2832]

man your r really talented, just admired at your work., i'm looking forward to build one ,just like yours, if you don't mind it would be really helpful if you give out some more details about the cnc , like dimension stuffs ,, i really liked what you built ,please.!

[@85rocco]

I've really enjoyed your cnc series, Thanks. The sharpie and the brushed designs got me thinking, those techniques would go together really well with any sort of electro or chemical etching or anodizing method resulting in some really cool effects. With the sharpie you could add a layer that resists the etching or alternatively you could cover the material completely with a resistive layer and remove selected areas of the resist with the brush.

[@jasonjones6077]

really like your style and the cnc. Thanks for taking the time and keep up the great work. Now you are a provider of free and valuable information.

[@lenbrown5191]

Damn excellent videos. Very informative. I really like the way you tidy up.

[@ekaggrat]

great work.. Just curious if the same thing can be achieved with a light weight bldc? Or is a lot of force needed for the brush to make a mark?

[@AbsorberofLight]

Interesting question, I'm not quite sure if brushless dc motors would have sufficient force to achieve this. Plus having encoders to track movement looks quite complicated. BTW I checked out your doodle clock and loved it!

[@hturros]

Great, very nice, congratulations fron Argentina

[@ZMAC441]

Hey really enjoy your videos! But I'm starting to build my own cnc and am trying to figure out what size stepper motors to buy. Do you know the oz/in of yours and do they do well? I wouldn't imagine your parts are pretty heavy. Thanks!

[@zerocool2352]

Looks like he's using some NEMA 17's.

[@franciscohenriquez6308]

You could provide some pdf plans of the project?

[@ericgav9430]

nema 17's have enough jam to drive that thing, that's awesome,

[@lotfiboutebal233]

since you have a z axis i thnik you can try 3d print its just a matter of software isn it

[@basilenglish]

About the knowledge I have to agree 100% with you about KZbin, and the Arduino has given me the best electronics knowledge and insight, as it keeps me wanting to do something better with it, and now I found your build I am back into it once again, thank you for your time in making these videos, I'm just wondering if you made a lot of these you could do some kind of home production with them, then I wouldn't have to keep relying on the nasty people of the world for jobs all the time :) peace out!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks man I appreciate your comment:)

[@corriedewet5658]

I am following you immediately. Nice video

[@ballzack57]

This is amazing! All I kept thinking was making brushed metal art that is then painted with a candy paint. Like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/np_QZayLpZKKaNE I wonder though, keeping in mind that I know nothing about setting up a cnc program, could you set up the travel path to minimize the starting points on the plunge? Or at least set them up to where they become a pattern all unto themselves? Is that even possible? You can see where the bit plunges because it causes a circular pastern that is not otherwise seen. Thank you for your videos!

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks man! Yes I've been thinking of a way to plunge gradually as my x and y axes are moving. I'm not sure if the software can do this but I will keep experimenting. Painting it with candy paint would look sweet!

[@calvinbrush1175]

thank you for sharing your expertise.

Great video! The end results are also great as they are but one thing though, the start and end points of tool paths look kind of out of place when the job is finished. Maybe you could try to incorporate them into the design, like starting from a point over which another piece of path will pass, and ending at a point which would not look like a seam of a geometrical shape.

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks! Yes I've been thinking about having my z axis gradually lower and raise while the x and y are moving in order to avoid this. I'm not sure if EASEL can do this but I will keep experimenting.

[@chrisleech1565]

You have been gone so long man. I nearly fell off my chair. Yes faster tool speeds would have prevented that "melting"

[@AbsorberofLight]

Thanks Chris. The frequency of videos will increase.

[@BrandCJC]

I wonder if you tell easel that the brush is a V-carve bit and CnC a "sign" if the swirls will change from small to lager and thus make even a more interesting pattern

[@AbsorberofLight]

Oh that's interesting! I may have to try that, thanks for the suggestion.

[@siniestros7]

Did you tested with lower rpm on the spindle and/or faster run-through with aluminum?

[@AbsorberofLight]

I did briefly. These settings seemed to work fine, but I still want to experiment some more.