If I have a CNC router and haven’t made wooden gears – isn’t that a crime?
http://geargenerator.com -> SVG -> InkScape -> EPS -> VCarve Pro -> WinCNC -> CAMaster CNC Router -> Baltic Birch -> Gears
They run very smoothly. Next I need to improve the mounting. I’m thinking either real bearings or HDPE bushings.
Recently I needed to align my CNC router spindle to the table. Part of doing this involved tapping on metal parts here and there. Not wanting to damage them, I needed a “soft” hammer to use, so I quickly made a brass hammer.
We made a wooden shield out of 3/4″ hardwood plywood. To get the perimeter, we bent an aluminum bar into the shape of one side, and then used it to trace both sides, making it symmetrical.
We softened a section of 4″ PVC pipe and flattened one side. After plenty of sanding the endges, we screwed it to the back of the shield with 3/4″ screws.
We cut the handle out of a section of 2×4 on the bandsaw, routed, and sanded it smooth. Here are the pictures! All done but a coat of gold or silver paint.
Ezra brought me a piece of plywood today with pencil marks drawn all over it. That is where he wanted it cut. So I ripped it on the table saw and cross cut it on the compound mitre saw…
I gave him a little help laying this out, showed him how to clamp it, and then he went to town drilling 1/16″ holes and pounding finishing nails into it.
Only 2 breaks in the drill-bit, which isn’t bad for such a small bit and a 7 year old.
It turned out nice! We’ll put a lid and hinges on it soon.
Here are three wooden guns we cut out of a sheet of 3/4″ plywood. These outlines were drawn by hand impromptu, so they are not terribly well thought through or consistent, but the kids don’t seem to mind a bit :)
The Gahooa Perspective 