That’s a super job on the log cutoff. Now I want to change my whole machine setup 
Hehehe thanx JimHatch. Maybe get another Onefinity and have that one set up for log work 
2 Likes
Hey Philip “from my timezone” @beukesphilip ,
welcome to the forum!
I find what you have created here with your machine particularly tasteful and interesting. I like it very much.
You got more than 10 likes with your first posting!
By the way, with the last post you reached Trust Level 1 (“Basic”). For reaching this, you had to
- Enter at least 5 topics
- Read at least 30 posts
- Spend a total of 10 minutes reading posts
Now you can:
- Use all core Discourse functions; all new user restrictions are removed
- Send PMs
- Upload images and attachments if enabled
- Edit wiki posts
- Flag posts
- Mute other users
You see, the restrictions quickly go away if you continue to use the forum.
When you wrote you cannot upload all the pictures (which was because on the beginning, you had only Trust Level 0 (“New”)), I think of course many of us were eager to see your machine setup too Now you can… 
I would really like to see it too!
No problem. Should I just post some pics at the bottom, or is it possible to edit my 1st post and add them there?
You can do that. The Discourse controls are based on the current time/days not the original post date/time.
Ok so here is the rest of my story…
Below are 2 sketchup illustrations of how I made my setup. I made a jig to wedge the log tight, by using some pine, steel rods, a chain and 2 straps top and bottom. The chain prevents the jig to open up all the way as I’m tightening the straps…thus pulling the log nice and snug into the wedge and securing it.
The log’s weight is not held in place by the jig, its supported underneath by the table frame and some spacers. The table has castors so I can move the table around if needed.
Now for some live shots:
The table was made for another cnc I was busy building from scratch, but as you can see the Onefinity 50X fits nicely. The table frame is made from square and rectangular tubing. The frame is just painted with random cans of spray paint I had laying around (to use them before they expire)
This is just a view from the top before surfacing it.
Here is a short video of the surfacing in action. Excuse the mess on the floor, its an extremely small room and theres no more space anywhere else.
I had to use online tools to shorten the video to 8mb otherwise I couldn’t upload.
As you can see, the surfacing is following the shape of the log, that is because I took a photo from the top, digitized it in Vectric Aspire, and scaled it to the size of the actual log. This way I could focus on only the size and shape of the log for whatever I wanted to do.
Yeah I know my cabling is a mess, I’m in the process to make my own drag chain with my laser cutter…already made smaller ones for a robot chess machine, so I know my drag chain design would work.
After the surfacing, I took a silhouette picture of a frog. Used the software’s built in function to vectorize it, rotate and scaled it to fit the log’s shape. Then made a 3D model of the vector. I first made a roughing toolpath with a 6mm end mill bit.
Here I was already so excited of what the Onefintity can do, I stood there the whole time staring at the carving as the frog’s ‘rough’ shape started to emerge.
I then went ahead and made a smoothing toolpath with a 3mm end mill bit. Which later I saw I could have refined a bit. But for now this was freagin awesome!
I was very happy with my first cut, and even something totally different than what I’m used to seeing on the internet.
As you can see, the edges of the frog could be smoother. This was because of my input picture was a bit pixelated.
After I was done, I flipped it around and leveled the underside the same way.
Now onto my next log project…
8 Likes
Thinking outside the box indeed! I’m looking forward to seeing your next project too!
1 Like
Great documentation and problem solving and fantastic to see a unique use. Keen to see what’s next.
That looks great. Really creative use of the machine there without a standard table bottom.
An alternative to glass on top could be to fill it with epoxy. I know some people hate the stuff, but in this case it could look really cool with some pebbles or even a lilly pad cast into the top with clear epoxy. Added bonus of sealing up the cracks and perfectly safe for keeping outside.
1 Like
Hey Eric,
yep. I found it crazy to see how many people use it, seemingly without much hesitation, especially hobbyists, as if it weren’t harmful, which it is in both manufacture and application. Epoxy is made with Bisphenol A and Epichlorohydrin.
What I think is, why would I use epoxy resin when there exists polyurethane casting resin?
@beukesphilip Philip, I would like a glass cover
Polyurethane > Health and safety
Fully reacted polyurethane polymer is chemically inert. No exposure limits have been established in the U.S. by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). It is not regulated by OSHA for carcinogenicity.
– Source: Polyurethane > Health and safety
Epoxy Resin > Protective equipment during application
Since direct skin contact is considered to be far more harmful than, for example, intake via the respiratory tract (e.g. due to insufficient ventilation), personal protective equipment is required when using many epoxy products. Only special nitrile or butyl, butyl/Viton and PE laminate gloves are suitable for skin protection. Thin disposable gloves are unsuitable regardless of the material (e.g. latex, vinyl or nitrile). The allergenic substances penetrate these gloves within a few minutes without being damaged, while the skin’s own protection is weakened by sweating with a lack of ventilation. Skin protection ointments also do not offer acceptable protection. It may also be necessary to wear a protective suit.
– Source: Epoxy Resin > Safety and Health
yes, but the frog here is rather one that walks outside the water than one that swims
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Hey Philip,
your machine build is great.
How are the steel profiles connected? Screwed or welded? If the former, I would add a few diagonal braces for torsional stiffness.
Hi @Aiph5u, all the steel is welded together, I didn’t feel comfortable in using screws or bolts for the frame. Only the Onefinity is bolted down.
I already got a request from my gardener. He brought me a similar size log, and wants an ash tray with a picture in it. So its going to look the same as the frog project, just a different picture, and perhaps 4 indents on the sides for the cigarette.
2 Likes
Development of epoxy sensitivity due to continued or over-exposure to uncured resin can pose a very real health risk, and I’m glad to see people warning each other. Once a body becomes sensitized to it, allergic reactions can result from even small exposures. Breathing dust particles from sanding partially-cured epoxy can place you at risk for severe health issues if they become trapped in your lungs. Spraying uncured resin is considered a severe potential risk, so you’ll typically see strong manufacturer warnings against it. Some products are even labeled non-toxic when used as directed, but read the warnings that accompany the application. So thanks for letting people know.
2 Likes
Hey Philip,
ah, this is good. I finally decided to weld a machine base too. I think I could make something very strong with massive wood, i.e. dampened beech, but with welding steel profiles you get to a result quicker. Unfortunately I cannot start building it immediately due to other things in life 
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an ash tray, how sad. I lost a close relative to cancer due to cigarette smoking (awful last monthes in life - still very bad prognosis today). Realizing how stupid smoking is often comes too late And a gardener. The luck of being at the fresh air by profession, and then this. Argh!
I have known more than one gardener, two were close friends. Usually gardeners are people with much freedom, it seems staying in the green opens the mind.
But that your log art pleases people does not surprise me at all!
It’s still friggin awesome! Quite a clever approach and an amazing result.
I’m thinking perhaps getting a WW since the work size for logs won’t generally exceed a WW’s footprint. That way I’d have one dedicated for these kinds of deep vertical carvings & dovetails, etc. The JM could stay nice and stable and trammed properly for everything else.
I can’t believe I’m considering adding another CNC to the shop
2 Likes
Hey Jim,
and then with both cars outside you’d add another garage 
I hear you, and agree about the consequences in smoking. I myself don’t smoke at all. But here in SA we have a huge cultural diversity and since the recreational use of cannabis were legalized, even more people started smoking. It is very sad that only a handful are trying to live healthy etc.
Yeah the other thing, if you have a long enough bit, you can flip the log upside down and carve feet/legs which would make it look even better. Then it could be a chair for outside.
You can also make a bird bath by carving a bowl, and then attaching a longer log on the bottom by pocketing a big hole, and create that same profile on the 2nd log. Then the 2 pieces could be glued perfectly together. I just don’t know yet how to seal the water bowl.
I’m constantly thinking of random stuff to make.
2 Likes
Log end carving…Outstanding and Creative!
I’m sure you have designed a tabletop by now. I did not know about the forum before making a tabletop. All I knew was, I needed a pit for dovetails and mortises. I have a pit and clamping system that so far, has worked well. I think my pit will allow space for your creative log carving.
(Me learning software is another matter…)
I’m anxious to give it a try…on my list of things to do.
7 Likes
@WmColl46 That’s a pretty neat setup. If you can incorporate 2x V shapes (top and bottom to wedge the log into), and 4x slots for straps to go through behind that wall with the clamp holes, then you can easily put a log in there. Just have it stand on spacers or a car jack or something.
This is kinda what I had in mind for when I want to move on to installing my table top/waste board.
Your work room is nice and tidy too. Its an inspiration for people like me to keep things organized.
Good work!