We use cookies to personalize content, interact with our analytics companies, advertising networks and cooperatives, and demographic companies, provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. Our social media, advertising and analytics partners may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Learn more.
I’m finally close to having my X-Carve assembly finished and am gearing up to start some projects. Sometime soon I’d like to carve a ceiling medallion to cover up a missing piece of plaster above a ceiling fan in my house. I have a couple questions for people with more carving experience.
First, will carving something like a ceiling medallion require software besides Easel (or even Easel Pro)? I believe it will from what I’ve read, but want to confirm. See the attached picture for an example of what I’m picturing.
Second, what material would be best for something like this? I think this is kind of dependent on my particular situation, but I’ll be covering a somewhat large missing piece of a plaster ceiling. Given that, I’m concerned going with a hard wood may be a bit heavy and could result in more damage to the ceiling over time. I’m considering using the Precision Board Plus, gluing together a few pieces to accommodate the size I’d need. Does anyone here have experience carving that, and do you think it would be a good choice in this situation? Also, how paintable is that product?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I was about to order some precision board but I figured I’d ask questions before spending the money on something that may not work for what I want to do.
Recommending Aspire (Uber Expensive) or Fusion (Steep learning curve) to a new user is kinda setting the poor fellow up for failure (My Opinion).
I’m sure the trial version of V-Carve and meshmixer would be less steep. I’m sure there are STLs of these kind of things on Thingiverse that can be manipulated through MeshMixer or such.
My advice to @VincentColombo… learn the ins and outs of the machine before taking on such a job…its not really difficult once you learn the processes, but jumping right into that kind of project will only cause frustration and disappointment…
I agree with @RobertCanning, purchase a cheap plastic one if you need it in a hurry… once you develop your understanding of the machine and software and processes, then if you’re still loving CNC Routing. THEN decide which software and material and processes are best for you and take the plunge…
First, the guy asked what programs he would need to make these. We answered him, we didn’t recommend he go out and jump in head first. What is he going to learn by jumping on Amazon and buying a finished product from China when he bought his machine for this purpose. Will he fail a hundred times probably, but he’ll learn something new each time and have a lot of fun with his new machine. It’s called a hobby or being a maker, give it a try.
As far as precision plus board, i use a lot of it. it’s excellent but Extremely expensive. To give you an idea a 4x8 sheet runs $400 and up depending on what density you buy. Which is why in this situation I was experimenting with direct milling plaster and not having to make a mold. If I was you I would buy some squares of pink foam from the hardware store to practice on, it’s really cheap and cuts super easy.
Thanks for all the feedback. I’m definitely not in a rush to get this ceiling medallion done, so I’ll spend some time with the machine before tackling that job. It seems like a fun project once I’m more familiar with the X-Carve.
