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CNC Ply Bookcase Project
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11-10-2014 5:19pm#1Hi, not a poster or lurker in this part of boards, but I wanted to document a small woodwork project I undertook recently.
I had a slot together bookcase cut for me out of 18mm birch ply according to a design of my own devising. I live in a flat and don't have the shed and tools I'd like to. That's why aspects of this had to be outsourced. So I hope all you real woodworkers will excuse me.
I drew the plan in a vector graphics programme, giving careful consideration as to how it would slot together and stay rigid (sorry, the rendition of the file below is very crude, but you get the idea). Once the design was finalised Shadow Creations in Rathcoole cut it for me on their CNC router [Mods, if you don't like the mention of specific firms please let me know and I'll edit]. They supplied the ply. They were very helpful and I would recommend anybody considering any thing similar.
Everything slotted together very nicely. In part because the quality of the cut was very accurate. I sanded everything down and three coats of varnish later I was pleased with the results.
I don't usually get to do projects like this, but this was an easy starter project and the CNC services worked well.
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Hi Nicolas,
I drew the design in Inkscape. This works well, but took some time to get used to. I sometimes create vector graphics diagrams in work using MS Visio, which I find easier to use and set dimensions in, but I think there was a file format issue (I used the .svg format) that meant Inskape was better in the end. The easiest thing was to set the dimensions of the document to equal the real scale of the design I was making (1:1 scaling) as this can be imported straight away by the cutters.
Let me know if you'd like to see the .svg file, I can post a link.
I did also make a 3D model in Sketchup. That was good to work out the scale and proportions of the item and to check whether it would fit together. This was a lot of work though. Even so, when I completed the physical finished project I think I would have preferred different proportions. I'm still happy with the result.
The bookshelf has "designy" qualities to it I feel, despite being slot-together. I'm pleased that the slot together aspect worked well without the need for glue or screws. It's very stable and doesn't bow. Ply was 18mm.
I went for good quality ply and I think that was appropriate. I used a whole 1220 x 2440 sheet for the design. The firm supplied the ply and cut the design for €240 plus VAT, so this was not a cheap project. For those with their own tools I know that might sound expensive, but I was pleased as I got very exactly machined materials with absolutely zero hassle. Eric is the name of the fellow I dealt with at Shadow Creations. He was very helpful and commented on the original draft design to get it work right. I imagine there may be cheaper solutions out there and I'm interested to hear peoples' suggestions.
If you had a link to the open source plans you're thinking of cutting I'd love to see a link.
I'd like to do something like this:
@recipio
The CNC rig did indeed leave the trusty B&D workmate in the shade.0 -
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