Hello from a raw beginer

[Oldbike99]

Having always believed in “lifelong learning”, my retirement has freed up a bunch of time.

[plasmanewbie]

Welcome, lifelong learner here myself. Do you have a plasma table or just kicking around the idea?

[Oldbike99]

I have used a friend’s 4x8 table, but just could not fit even a 2x2 table in my shop, so I bought an ArcDroid and am very pleased. The combo of portability, ability to import files and create files in the handheld controller sold me. I, literally, have cut files off the tailgate of my pickup.
With the x2 setup, it has the capacity of 16x48 with a little “fudge” room around the edges.

[adbuch]

Oldbike99 - is that bicycles, motorcycles, or both? I would love to see some photos of your Arcdroid setup and some of the things you have cut. The Arcdroid seems so handy for doing portable work. Do you draw files with other programs and import to the Arcdroid controller, or just do the drawing with the ArcDroid software?

Thanks,
David

[Oldbike99]

It used to be more building and restoring old Triumph motorcycles. Now, it has morphed into metal lathe and vertical milling machine work (more self-learning) for bikes and hotrods. Some of my friends have figured out that, since I retired, I will only work on something if it’s interesting to me. So that’s their challenge. Think up “interesting stuff” that they need made.
I’ve only had the ArcDroid about a month, but I’ve started to move beyond random bracket stuff and started learning some CAD stuff with Inkscape and Cam with Sheetcam. What I like about the ArcDroid is that you can start making simple parts immediately and bring in what I learn elsewhere to expand on projects as time goes on. No need to master anything before starting.
I forgot to mention another feature of ArcDroid, which is their “Simple Trace” function. This allows you to trace a template directly into the machine. The better the template, combined with practice, the better the result.

[acourtjester]

DIY types are welcome here, many of us on the site, Lots of info and projects for you to look over, just use the search function in the upper right.
Have fun retirement is great, as you say free time, until the projects pile up. lots of great info about Inkscape and other software to help you learn.

[adbuch]

Oldbike99 - that's interesting about the old Triumphs - what particular years and models do you prefer? I have some older Triumphs - mostly from the 50's and 60's. Please tell us more about the Arcdroid tracing function. Do you mean that it will automatically trace over something like a cardboard template using a camera and convert it to a cut file? I had not heard about that feature before.

David

[Joe Jones]

Having always believed in “lifelong learning”, my retirement has freed up a bunch of time.

Where are you located?

Joe

[adbuch]

Oldbike99 - I found this video showing the Arcdroid used for tracing a template. Now I understand - the operator moves the stylus around the template to manually trace it. Sort of like we do manually tracing a template photo with Inkscape. This is still very cool that the operator can just trace and cut without the need to know any other cad drawing program.

David

[Oldbike99]

As I said, the better the template, and lots of practice, the better the file created. I have also machined a cone that slips on the stylus to help accurately locate bolt holes in an existing part.

One of the handiest gadgets I’ve made has been a quick change stylus with a spring-loaded pen cartridge. This allows me to run a file, drawing it out on paper prior to cutting. This really helps locate problems before wasting material

[adbuch]

One of the handiest gadgets I’ve made has been a quick change stylus with a spring-loaded pen cartridge. This allows me to run a file, drawing it out on paper prior to cutting. This really helps locate problems before wasting material

That's a great idea! I did something similar with a clip-on sharpie pen holder that slides right onto my torch. I know that Tom, Steve, and some of the others have created similar attachments for drawing instead of cutting.

David

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pfedZ9iFMsDmjiT77

[acourtjester]

Handy tool to have, I can attach a ink pen or sharpie to mine design. And a reason for a 3-D printer, design your own additional tools for the CNC table.