Using CNC in pen turning

[NGLJ]

I haven't been active in pen turning recently because I bought a desktop CNC about 2 months ago. So the recent past has been getting up to speed with that. I would like to incorporate my CNC into other parts of my hobby including pen turning and am wondering if others have done that.

 

[Monty]

There was a fellow, Dan Symonds, went by cnc_maker, who did fantastic work with a cnc controlled router. Couldn't find any of his work posted here. His last login here was December 2017.

 

[Mach4]

Basically what you're looking for is a rotary axis. Conceptually you'll plug the rotary axis into the controller in place of one of the axis, typically x. Instead of x moving the spindle in a linear direction it will move the stepper in the rotary axis in a rotary motion. You will use some CAD software to create the design/pattern and a CAM software to create the Gcode to drive the router. You should be able to do some really interesting things that are impossible with a lathe.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress…

 

[NGLJ]

With this in mind I purchased a rotary axis on sale during Amazon days. Haven't yet got around to figuring out how to use it. I think in my case you connect one of the y-axis stepper motor leads to the rotary unit and use the x-axis to move along the rotating item. Not that it is a surprise I am finding that there is so much I can do now that I have a CNC. So not sure when I will get around to trying the rotary unit. However, curiosity is niggling at me . A close woodworking friend has asked me to help with his guitar making hobby. He asked me to make inlays for his guitars. So much to learn and so little time!

 

[Drewby108]

I did some rotary axis work on aluminum when I was in school for machining. There is definitely a learning curve to getting everything lined up right.

I made a shroud for a lightsaber I will eventually finish (going on 7 years gathering dust in the toolbox lol).

Point is, there is a lot of fun stuff you can do with CNC work and your imagination is usually the biggest limit.

 

[NGLJ]

I am now realizing the potential of my CNC purchase. Every new major tool that I have purchased has opened up new possibilities. Because there is so much scope it leaves you wondering "what to do next?". I am now thinking about how to make joints on my CNC for box making but don't know when I will actually get to it!