Letters are 1/2" deep.
Thanks, guys.
I'm happy to post stuff, I just don't want to be seen as a person cluttering the forum with pics.
I would think seeing pics of completed work could inspire visitors to undertake a build.

On the coffee table project, it is mahogany with .125" pocketed and epoxy filled areas for the logos and laces. For the NFL logo, I first routed the entire shield, filled with white epoxy, then came back the next day and routed the red and blue areas,filled them, and after it cured, used an end mill to surface the epoxy just proud of the mahogany, then random orbit sanded the entire table.

Yep folks are looking

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=78

Over 8400 views in this thread.

Keep up the good work. I love to see what the MM can produce.

Darren,
following Brad comment, I’ll add :
Have a look at your thread view count before posting…..and compare it with the numbers after a few days…..You’ll have a better picture and then will realize, regardless how many may see your enthusiast state, you first post these to share, not to compete how many may view it !?

I’m one of those…silent observer that appreciate your time, as well form all others members, to post your observation, projects, progress, experience….and on !
Hey….
Enjoy a GREAT holiday seasons…..and YES please, as others, continue to contribute and share !!
Amicalement, Robert ;)

Your posts and pictures are a great inspiration for all of us "lurkers" please keep sharing!

Darren,
I will say that I wish more pictures were posted. With limits on the pictures sizes and storage here you could always use a site like Flickr or Photobucket and have links to them. I find this is preferable rather than using up the allotment of space here. You do nice work. It is great that you share. Another nice feature of Flickr (and most likely Photobucket) is you can see how many times your photo has been viewed I you would like to know that.

Actually, everything is hosted by Photobucket and linked to from here. Seeing cool projects others have done kept me motivated during some of the darker hours of the build.

I know that dark feeling all too well. You definitely have a skill set above me with wood. My is mechanical and metal but I hope some day to become better with wood. I like the way you used epoxy and that is something I have never seen done where I live. Pretty cool seeing something like this from Missouri as my sister lives in Kansas City.

Darren,
Keep the pics coming. It is always great to see what different people are doing with their Mechmates! You are doing some excellent top notch work!

Darren, Don't stop posting pictures, they are of great inspiration , because of your pictures I have just started my build, currently building 3:1 gearboxes and will order steel work ing the new year, have already purchased one stepper motor from OM a 296 to get me started, so please keep posting, a here's wishing you a happy Christmas, Andrew

Hi Darren

The images you are posting provides lots of motivation for us all.
Like yourself I have made a point of posting lots of photos of work as they tell such a big story fast.
Love your work and also the techniques you are using to get lots of colors happening in your resin inlays.

Cheers
Ross

My attempt at one of Vectrics projects.
Could have turned out better, but the couple loved it.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps215fb517.jpg

Darren,
That looks great! I did not see that one in the monthly project download. Where did you find that one?

Hi,
Nice piece !
What kind of finishing is it ?
How did you darken the engraving ?

Hi Axel,
It was a 1" thick Hard Maple blank.
Finish was a lacquer stain with a lacquer topcoat.
Picture was before sanding/rubbing the lacquer.
Darkening the letters was as easy as not wiping the stain out of the letters, and letting them dry before topcoating.
My wife is happy, because she now has the perfect gift for whoever gets married in the future, with no shopping necessary.

Hi Heath,
I found it on the Vectric Forum.
http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=14960
Apparently is was for a users group meeting, initially.
Fun project.

Thanx ;)

Darren, in regards to your questions on your post 156, I may not have links your after, BUT, have a look at one of my costumer site, he specialize in venturi generated vacuum lifting devices.
It should convince you....if not give ya some / many ideas !!
Robert ;)

Very neat site. Thank You, Robert!!

Hi Darren

If you are still looking for the hand valves (hydraulic actuators) that Russell mentioned in post 156.
Go to http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1PCS-3-Wa...ht_2950wt_1168

We use them as actuators for the hold down on shaping machines, and this appears to be a very good price for an SMC type knock off.

Regards
Ross

Thanks Ross.
I'll have a look.

Darren,
Congrats on your build! Because of the size of your MM did you feel it necessary to 'beef up' your frame or do you feel one can do with less beef. I just ordered steel for my frame (same size as yours) and I'm starting to think I didn't plan well enough.

Tom

I will say I suffer from "overkill-itis", so bear that in mind.
I wanted room to store sheet goods under the table, so I couldn't triangulate as well as some have done.
When the machine is doing some rapid moves, it is surprising how much even a heavy table moves. I'm talking reversing directions of the gantry at 150" per minute.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't make it any lighter.

Gonna use this image to make an 30" pub table top using 1/2" Corian and red epoxy.
Still deciding on a base.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps233d54e4.png

Darren,

At what speeds/# of passes are you cutting the corian and are you finding the dust an issue?

Tom

Hi Tom, I use an end mill cutting .125" deep in one pass at 150" per minute. I have a homemade dust foot similar to many you see documented here, and dust has only been an issue when I forget to turn the collector on.:)

less than 7 minutes later, the laces are cut.
Tom, you can see what dust is left in the pockets, pretty big chips really.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13f41976.jpg

Nice !
What end mill are you using for this?

1/4" upcut spiral.

Couldn't get a plug for the MM forum, but a pretty good read nonetheless......

http://daily5remodel.com/index.php?a...cle&rowid=1799

Nice article, nice business plug :D !
Wishes it bring you more business.
Good luck ;)

I'm hoping it brings more people here, through me, as well.
Much greatness can be achieved through many minds.

Nice Darren, well done.

Darren,
I play around with corian/solid surface too. MM definitely speeds up the process. Do you have any experience with laser scanning equipment/systems for scanning templates? or does anyone for that matter. Just wondered if it would be a wise option.

Great write up on your work Darren.
An inspiration to the other Mechmate builders.

Regards
Ross

Whipped a few name plaques up for some great niece and nephews I haven't met til this weekend.....

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps00a14efc.jpg

That's one way to remember the names :)

Ross

I think they have a new favorite Uncle.:)

If still not, this would seal the deal
Great work, an inspiration for all of us still building one :)
http://www.martindollhouses.com/DSC01620.JPG
http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/...19_450x600.jpg

Figured I'd start making my own pegboard....lol
Actually its the top for a downdraft sanding station.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMAG0463.jpg