How to Switch From Engraving to Carving in Seconds

[@4-6-3DP]

Paw Paw - those plaques look fabulous! I have a setup almost identical to yours. One thing I’ve learned (and this may help newer users) is to do the “risky stuff” first. More than once I have made a beautiful carving, then painted and sanded it, only to ruin it at the end. My workflow: Cut piece to final dimensions Round over edges on router table Cut keyhole Only then do I start the lengthy CNC part Hope this helps someone. I learned the hard way!

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very much. That is an excellent workflow

[@rega3160]

I appreciate you sharing the speed and other various settings you use in your projects. Having, your input helps us to refine our techniques. I enjoyed your video of testing the various speeds of the laser to determine an optimal speed for the laser and yet producing a quality product. I just finished carving a map of the United States on cut offs from a prior project. I live in Illinois and we too have been directed to stay at home as much as possible. Thank you for these videos.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very much. That sounds like a great project that you did of the United States. New Orleans, Louisiana is the #2 in the nation based on population. We are right up there with Washington and New York. That is why the state is under mandatory stay home order.

[@unitwoodworking5403]

It's nice to use one machine as 2 function, great job👍👍

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Thank you very much.

[@goodwinml]

Love your vids. I am a Newbie though. Watching 100's of youtube vids and building machine now. I bought a Shapeoko XXL. Ret USAF 1981-2001, USAF Contractor 2001-2017

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Awesome! Congratulation on the purchase of the Shapeoko XXL

[@rbwoodwork1890]

Great information as always keep them coming. Hint: if you cut the keyhole horizontally it helps find the balance point Incase there is weight deference in the wood. Just a thought.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Excellent idea. Thank you

[@donaldwalls8568]

Nice upgrade to your router, I am curious if you are planning on trying to cut any thin wood with this laser?,I believe that they say that the 7 watt laser that you have will be able to cut thin wood. My wife uses thin decorative craft shapes for various projects. Maybe 1/8 or 1/16 plywood of some kind. Great videos

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

I did an experiment several months and and was not successful cutting 1/8" plywood.

[@donaldwalls8568]

@@PawPawsWorkShop thank you for the feedback, maybe I'll look for some videos of someone cutting with it since their specs say it can, but you never know what ply they cut. Great channel, learned allot from you so far with allot more to learn since I'm new to CNC.

[@nathanrasch1014]

Great video; thank you for sharing. :)

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

My pleasure. Thank you very much for watching

[@lightnbreezy]

Hi Paw Paw - I'ma newbie and this very interesting. I just purchased the Ortur Laser Master 2 20 Watt and downloaded the Lightburn software. Which model of the X Carve are you using and are there more powerful lasers such as 15 Watt/20Watt that can be exchanged with the units standard laser? Can you suggest a CNC carver/engraver? Any info is much appreciated.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

I have the Xcarve 1000 mm. J tech just introduced a 7 watt pro and it is more powerful than mine. I like the xcarve. It is a perfect platform for the laser and cnc work. The cnc4newbie new carve that I have is my preferred machine in that it is much stronger and none of the problems that the xcarve has.ie belts and v wheels.

[@lightnbreezy]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Thank you Sir n I love the USMC and military carvings. Going to be one of my 1st attempts. Semper Fi

[@fishingchallenged3056]

How are you carving without touching off and doing all the set up easel requires before starting a carve

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

All of the checklist that easel requires you to do is nice but is not necessary. All you need is to establish x,y,0. Lightburn and UGS is very EASY to work with and do not require that whole checklist. The checklist is excellent for new people just starting to ensure nothing is missed. As a pilot, I like and use checklist all the time.

[@benjaminl3084]

Do you have to do anything special with the machine switching from laser mode to CNC mode?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

No, all you need to do is close the Lightburn software and open Easel. I remove the laser only to prevent it from getting dirty.

[@americansouthdesigns]

That only depends if you are using the IOT relay with your machine. The relay with automatically start your router when you hit the button. When I switch between the two, I turn off the iot relay and do what Paw Paw says. Close one system and open the other. If not, they will battle each other for the x-controller.

[@patbarrett9263]

what laser system are you using, may I ask?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

This is a 7 watt laser from JTechphotonics.

[@sarahschroeder3236]

Can you tell me how you export the file out of Easle?

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Yes, in Easel, go to file, under the drop down menu select the download zip. I select the work piece and download to your computer. Then in your computer extract the file and unzip.

[@kellykennemore2963]

what mount are you using

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

This was a phototype that Jay and I worked on. Not sure what mount is being used at this time.

[@badandyg]

You missed two.... Space Force and Coast Guard

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Coast Guard is there and Space Force is part of the Air Force. I'm not sure if it is a completely separate branch. Do you know for sure??

[@kmooney1954]

Your title for the video does not match the content. I was hoping to see what you switched on to engrave (in Lightburn) and what you switched off to move back to the router for the keyhole.

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

Switching is so simple. Close one program and opening the other. Removing the laser and installing the bit with the mount in place. So, so simple. I showed that in the video. Maybe it is just too easy.

[@goodwinml]

Missing Space Command

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

I am curious. It is my understanding that this command is still under the Air Force. Do you know if that is true?

[@goodwinml]

@@PawPawsWorkShop , US Space Force is under the Dept of the Air Force. Just like the Marines under the Dept of the Navy. Here is the like to get svg of seal. Just right click pic and select save link as... commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_United_States_Space_Force.svg

[@rebaker2012]

@@PawPawsWorkShop Yes that is true. But they have their own space force logo. Roy

[@SimplySellers202]

I'm sure you have already seen this modification to the X-carve, but I wanted to mention that I have done it and absolutely love it. It's a little nerve racking, but well worth it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqOshIujpcSNi80

[@PawPawsWorkShop]

At this point I am not interested in adding t track to the xcarve.