Preparing a Vacuum Table Spoil Board for Flow Through Fixturing

[@ArkWorksCNC]

This was a big help RouterBob! This is my first cut on my new machine, and I'd have been even more of a nervous wreck without this helpful guide.

[@shopsabre]

Thanks for tuning in, we post these videos for that very reason

[@TheYochims]

Always pick up a new trick, no matter how basic the info! Thanks!

[@shopsabre]

Glad to hear that!

[@pepuletrz]

omg thanks for the parafin wax tip..i have been putting through an edge bander..and adding .5mm pvc to it.

[@shopsabre]

Absolutely, glad you were able to learn a new trick. Much easier and quicker than edge banding

[@gadcadgadcad395]

Please make more plasma cutting videos. I love our ShopSabre sidekick plasma and looking to learn more tips.

[@shopsabre]

We are always working on future videos so stay tuned for more to come!

[@geckotube9]

I couldn't find any mention of the recommended stepover for the flycutter, was there one?

[@douglasmothersell8071]

This is my question. I came here to see if there was an answer.

[@geckotube9]

None so far, unfortunately.....

[@Christopher_225]

My boss just bought a new IS510 and I was looking about how to work it. You have mentioned today and on several videos that .04 is 4/1000ths. That's 4/100ths. 4/1000ths would be .004. At 2:50 you said this very thing. Never ran a cnc machine before but want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. Can't wait to get the 510 it should be here next week!

[@shopsabre]

He mentioned 40 thousandths - .04

[@routerbob]

Removing 0.040" (forty thousandths) from each surface should be enough to get rid of the dense surfaces.

[@Christopher_225]

@@shopsabre thanks for the clarification. I understand now that I rewatched it. Thanks for everything! Can't wait to start playing with the CNC next week!

[@nikopeters9660]

What is your feed rate?

[@JHWD-p8f]

THANK YOU MR ROUTERBOB

[@shopsabre]

You're quite welcome there.

[@davidconaway2830]

If it weren't for Router Bob, I'd still be struggling with vcarve inlays. Thank you for another tip for us newbies. Sure wish I could justify a full size ShopSabre machine.

[@shopsabre]

We are here to help make that dream a reality, we even offer some great financing options!

[@davidconaway2830]

@@shopsabre Once I get that house in the country with a building big enough to hold your precision machinery, I will give you a call!

[@shopsabre]

They make great kitchen tables until then :)

[@davidconaway2830]

@@shopsabre Roflol....I will bring that up with my wife for consideration,-)

[@shopsabre]

If she likes the idea it was ours... if she doesn’t it was yours

[@stephengmeiner3264]

I’ve been running a CNC for about 5 years but I have a new machine on its way and I’m excited about the vacuum table. Thanks for the tip on sealing the edges. I was wondering about that. Also, covering the board when not in use. I had used MDF in the past but found it was very unstable. I wound up getting a piece of granite as it wouldn’t absorb moisture. Then I put a piece of 3/4” PVC sheet on that as a spoil board. I don’t really ever cut into it, rather use thick 2 sided foam tape and cut halfway into the tape.

[@shopsabre]

Granite is pretty expensive and quite heavy, we would recommend a composite material such as phenolic, which we do sell.

[@stephengmeiner3264]

@@shopsabre I was able to get a great deal on the stone from the granite shop next door and I did want the weight to help stabilize the frame. The whole frame is built out of 80/20 but didn’t have much of a table. It’s worked well for many years so far. Thanks for the advice tho.

[@tableshaper4076]

Why don't people use peg board? Just seems like to would have plenty of holes but more concentrated pull. I'm not a CNC guy yet, just looking into it.

[@shopsabre]

Great question! It comes down to the airflow efficiency, porosity of the material, durability and customization. Pegboard is more susceptible to warping too. Welcome to the CNC journey! There's a lot to learn but we're glad to help.

[@tableshaper4076]

@@shopsabre When I get a CNC I"m going to try it. I think glueing a sheet of 1/4" peg board to a sheet of 3/4" mdf that has been surfaced on both sides and then surfacing the top of the glued down 1/4" peg board would be ideal? Then once you have worn down the peg board you just glue another on. The trick is to apply the glue to the peg board so the glue doesn't seal the peg board holes on the 3/4" mdf. And not to surface the glued down side of the peg board. Please try before I do, it could be a while before I get a CNC. Most likely a Shop Sabre although being Canadian it will be more difficult to obtain. But I've done a tonne of research and I just think you guys are the ticket.

[@shopsabre]

@@tableshaper4076 Let us know when you're ready to take the plunge! We're really focusing on the Canadian market right now so it's great timing. To get started simply fill out a quote request on our site and our team will be right with you to find the perfect fit. shopsabre.com

[@VisweshSrinivasan]

is this surfacing a one time process or need to do frequently ? How frequent ? Once a week or once a month or ? Can mositure absorption close the pores in the MDF and make it less porous ?

[@shopsabre]

You will resurface as needed based on usage and needs. The frequency will vary based on a number of environmental variables including your shops Temp/Humidity change. Some people do it daily, some weekly.

[@VisweshSrinivasan]

@@shopsabre Thanks. Iam using the vacuum bed for foam cutting with a oscillating knife. I keep a sacrificial open cell foam (styrofoam/EPS) on MDF and then my EPE foam on the EPS. So I will not be making cuts on the MDF. (unlike a CNC router ). Does the MDF still needs periodic resurfacing to maintain porosity ? Since my machine is not a CNC router, It is not possible for me to resurface the MDF on my machine. I will have to shift it everytime to another CNC router machine for resurfacing, if it is needed! Kindly advise on this.

[@shopsabre]

@@VisweshSrinivasan you will want to speak with the manufacturer of your equipment for their recommendation, generally for accuracy you will resurface the subsurface periodically due to humidity changing the material. That said, we cannot speak for how your table is configured and do not want to give you bad advice for the design.

[@MIsplacedhick]

Are you using normal MDF or light weight MDF?

[@shopsabre]

Good question, you can use MDF and LDF depending on the application and the pump being used. In most cases, ShopSabre uses MDF for its applications.

[@MIsplacedhick]

@@shopsabre I’m going to try MDF because LDF seems to be hard to find.

[@WorldClassTaeKwonDOClermont]

so amazing that air can flow through the MDF, who figured that out

[@shopsabre]

Routerbob actually played a part in zero setup hold down.

[@steinbierz]

Great video as they all are! Several questions: 1) Do most folks match the spoil board size to the size table they have e.g. 408 gets a 4' x 8' spoil board; 510 a 5' x 10', etc.? 2) If you are a one-man shop and have to yell into the house for your wife's help, is it possible to have the spoil board in several pieces e.g. two 5' x 5' pieces on a 510 table or would there be too much of a vacuum loss? Thank you.

[@shopsabre]

Thank you, regarding your questions Yes most match the spoil boards to the table size as to avoid unnecessary leakage. It is also possible to segregate the spoil board, the biggest thing is making sure you don’t get leaks at the seams. We’ve seen many people do it successfully but it ultimately depends on the vacuum pump you use.

[@steinbierz]

@@shopsabre Thanks for the quick response...I am still setting up my new IS 510 with 10 HP spindle and 15 HP Becker pump so am not certain yet where that falls on the just enough or more than enough scale.

[@gregoryhupchick5942]

What brand fly cutting bit is Bob using in this video?

[@shopsabre]

Vortex

[@dal2888859]

The 2.5 in flycutter is not preloaded into my vetric software. Is there a good video on how to add it? I'm inexperienced in this and dont want to mess up on the feeds and speeds as km adding a 2.5 end mill into vetric. Thanks

[@shopsabre]

No tooling comes preloaded into the Vectric Library, this is normal so don't worry. If you bought the machine from ShopSabre our team will help with supporting you. You will want to contact our Tech support for assistance with any setup questions.

[@5280Woodworking]

@@shopsabre In just reading this, I'm now convinced I'm buying a ShopSabre next week. I can't believe you'd help people get something like this setup. This says a lot about the company after the sale.

[@shopsabre]

@@5280Woodworking We do our best to make sure every customer is happy and taken care of before, during, and after the sale. Fill out a quote request on our website and one of our team members would be happy to assist you!!

My Vcarve does not have the flycutter tool either. How do I import/load this? I just received a ShopSabre.

[@dal2888859]

Eric Alma create a new emdmill at 2.5",2 flutes, etc

[@flo2dfc]

when you turn the plate, I do not notice a vacuum rubber sealing cord! it is not necessary? thank you

[@shopsabre]

No gasket is not necessary with ShopSabre HiFlow vacuum technology

[@cobrafoaminsertsandcases6060]

How can I do a tongue and groove door panel with the Pro 408? Can I use Router table bits on the 408? I have been able to find tongue and groove bits for CNC. Great videos BTW

[@shopsabre]

There’s a lot to this answer - the router is doing what it can reach from a vertical position so it’s up to you to program the design / profile and then fixture the parts for the router to reach the material with tooling clearance (typically a raised fixture) Thanks for watching the videos

[@cobrafoaminsertsandcases6060]

@@shopsabre Other than positioning and programing, the actual bit can be used on the 408? Im starting to build my own kitchen, even though that is not what I have the Machine for. You make it seem easy enough on the videos. Just signed up for my Mozaik software that came with th machine.

[@RuiSjm]

Is possible vaccum clamp OSB panel?

[@shopsabre]

Yes, with the appropriate vacuum technology.

[@georgekenner6588]

Good video... thank you...

[@shopsabre]

Welcome 👍

[@markbeck7054]

So in reality are you only talking.020 off the second side or did I miss something? Thanks for the video.

[@shopsabre]

Yes when you resurface or flatten we take between .015 - .020" and then only take more as necessary

[@olegmeln9098]

Anyone try using 1.5” MDF for spoil board with vacuum pump?

[@shopsabre]

generally when you get to that thickness you reduce airflow, we recommend sticking with 3/4" for a spoil board.

[@LuxeonIII]

Buying a pro table, can anyone give me a supplier name for MDF lite or trupan ultra light , will medium density MDF work for flow through?

[@shopsabre]

Unfortunately we don’t have a supplier to recommend for this.

[@mitchellhaworth7312]

what postprocessor would be selected

[@shopsabre]

Ultimately depends which machine and what options you have - our support team will be glad to guide you

[@dal2888859]

I have no option for .tap files

[@shopsabre]

.TAP is the format, Vectric automatically outputs in this format if you are using the ShopSabre post processor

[@dal2888859]

@@shopsabre got it! A quick call to tech support fixed me right up. Now to my very first cut ever on this beast!

[@shopsabre]

Great. Glad they could help. Good luck!!

[@wacomtexas]

Anxiety level at 7:07 : High. Anxiety-level at 7:09 : None.

[@shopsabre]

In Bob we trust

[@uptechcncpvclt-1302]

Good competition against Laguna Tolls. ShopSabre CNC is better than Laguna Tools machinery, Right Bob???

[@shopsabre]

There’s a 100% chance that I’m going say yes to that one.

[@routerbob]

I have a ShopSabre 23 in my garage!

[@stephengmeiner3264]

I just bought a Laguna CNC cause of all the Router Bob Laguna videos I watched when I first got into CNC work. Then I found out Bob left Laguna.... DOH! Maybe my 3rd CNC will be a ShopSabre.

[@shopsabre]

Ouch, well there’s still time to change your kind and buy American made

[@samo4866]

@@stephengmeiner3264 i came here to figure out what i should use to seal the edge of my MDF spoilboard on my Laguna Swift. 🤣