First Cuts!

This is the result of the first chips cut with the mill.

I did the text for it in dxf. which I had to do line sketches over, then delete the text. I will come to why presently. Save the .dxf, then open it in Ace Converter which will convert a .dxf cad file to gcode, which turbocnc uses to drive the cnc mill.

Ace Converter can convert lines and arcs in .dxf format, but not embedded text, thus my having to sketch over the text with lines and arc to get it to work.

Interesting thing is that it results in a really inefficient gcode. I don't know if it is because of how it is in the .dxf file but it would draw a bit of one letter, then traverse seemingly at random to some other line and do part of a letter there, and back an forth. Anyway, what should have taken maybee 10 minutes took almost an hour to mill.

Tramming Started

Started setting up the fixuring plate on the mill. I am using a dial indicator in the spindle to make the fixture plate as straight as possible, that should just make things better and easier as I go along. Hope to have time tomorrow to see how well the fixturing plate works. I got some good stuff today at TSs. Got a box of small endmills, looks like many were never used though the packaging is pretty beat up. Also got a neat right angle and 2 jacks.