Monday, June 30, 2008


A new project.


My son took immediate notice of this month's Nuts&Volts cover. Displayed are 3 LED lit name plates ... one being EVAN. "Daddy will you make Evan for me". I jumped at the chance/reason to get my CNC up and running. So I spent Saturday learning/re-learning how to use CAM, Mach3, and my CNC mini-mill.

I used a bamboo organizer box as the base/case and a piece of PVC for the top (that stuff is too useful IMHO). I am using 6 blue LEDS running off a 5 V 270mAh receiver pack (from my RC stash) drawing 20mA.

Of course this is just the beginning, he already want version 2 with blinking/fading lights and knobs and switches.

Edit, not too long after I decided to make some signs for a buddy's little girls. Rather than mill through, I back engraved the acrylic for a nice effect.


Jay