Hello CNC World!

Greetings from a total Newbie.
My interests (addictions) are electronics and specifically the construction of clocks using obsolete technology such as Nixie Tubes.
I want to build cases for my clocks and my main idea is to cut them out from suitably sized blocks of wood using a CNC router.
A couple of weeks ago I got a small machine (3040) and am just starting to play with it.
I have a small (3040!) machine connected to a PC. I am using USBCNC to drive it and I am building gCode using something called 'SimpleCNC' which seems to allow me to do exactly what I want without having to come to terms with 3D modelling applications (which I have tried and failed with!).
My ideas are simple, I know what I want to achieve and I believe I have the right tools to do it.
My initial query will be all about bits, spindle and feed speeds (I expect this is a common one) so I will make sure I head over to what might be the right section and post my query.
I look forward to sharing my progress with you all (however small it is!).
Thank you.

Hi scalesr1

welcome to the collective !!!!

which 3040 machine do you have ?
different manufactures use a variety of electronics
some good others you upgrade / replace very soon

2D and 3D modeling is something I need to get to grips with !

new Nixie clock designs have the advantage of having anti cathode poisoning routines built in to the microprocessor firmware the old TTL designs didn't have

John

Hello!

This is the one that I have Attachment 23536

At the time there was some suggestion that the 'black box' of electronics was in some way superior to the other 'blue box' variants so that is what I got. It came with a USB to parallel converter cable and all seems to work just fine.

I can see the shortcomings of such a relatively small machine: No limit switches, limited Z plane travel. I can see that it would be nicer to have a bigger and more powerful motor but for what I actually want to do it seems just fine.

I am still unsure about feed speeds so I am experimenting with those. I am now waiting for a 'down cut' but to arrive so I can see how that reduces the surface tear when I am carving holes in soft wood (before I even attempt to move on to harder woods!).

I have been addicted to Nixie tubes now for over a year. As you say, you can do a lot more with a microprocessor than you could with TTL though there still those that like to design things from first principals (I am not one of those, I even use micros just to control the additional LED lighting for my clocks!).

Kind regards
Richard

Welcome. There'll be plenty more shortcomings, but that's part of the joy of hobbying - understanding what you have and how to best work around it. Playing with soft/hardwoods you might get more out of the machine than some others - so will be interested to hear how you get on. I'd also be interested in your enclosures - I've been tempted to knock up a nixie clock myself, though I lack a creative side to make a decent enclosure.

Nixie Clocks - I am a total addict - ask me anything about them at any time - very pleased to assist.
Kind regards
Richard

Ever seen the Dalibour Farny YouTube video,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wxL4ElboiuA

Pure nixie porn.

So much so that I am now the owner of some of his tubes!
That video though is amazing, I knew when I saw it that I wanted a set!
Pure Nixie porn indeed.

Having spent most of my working life surrounded by high power valve-based wireless transmitters it is great to see such craftsmanship being revived. Reminds me of a visit to the English Electric Valve Company (EEV) works in Guildford nearly 30 years ago.

If you decide to use your router for making a different kind of clock, here's one I made earlier...

https://vimeo.com/224014481

Kit