Why I chose Alibre Design
Alibre Design
To fully answer why I chose Alibre Design I should probably give you some of my background with CAD/CAM systems. I started out about 20 years ago designing plastic injection molds and programming CNC machines to cut these same molds. The CAD systems that I have used over the years have always been considered very high end systems.
I currently used Unigraphics NX at my day job. A single “bare bones” installation of NX will cost somewhere around $5,000. On top of that, we add in assembly functionality, drafting functionality, and a mold design add-on. This all adds up to about $20,000 for a single installation. These systems that I have been using professionally are very high end, very powerful, and quite easy to use.
When I decided to look for a CAD system to use for Maple Grove Woodworks projects, I realized that I was quite spoiled (more…)
Website Updates
I thought I would give everyone a quick update about what has been going on with MapleGroveWoodworks.com. As you can see, I have been making some “look and feel” changes to the website over the last few days. I am not done yet, but it is coming around. Even after I finish my “to do” list, I am sure I will always be tweaking it in some way. I am just that way when it comes to websites, I guess.
Besides all of the visual changes, you’ll notice an open space in the upper right (more…)
Weekend Update
I actually managed to accomplish a few things this weekend in the shop. The temperature outside was around 30 degrees Fahrenheit so I was able to get the shop up to about 60 degrees. I cleaned up most of the shop except for the lathe area and the lumber storage area. I don’t know if I will ever get the lumber area organized to my satisfaction unless I start burning some of my scraps.
I even did a little woodworking. Just a little. I made a couple more clamp racks and attached them to the wall. Many of my clamps have been laying on bench tops or just clamped to the sides of a bench, so the additional racks will really help in staying organized. I did not get back to the mission style lamps that I wanted to work on, but hopefully I will soon.
Unfinished Projects
I finally found a couple of hours this weekend to cleanup my garage/workshop. It had been slowly becoming a disorganized mess over the last few months. I haven’t had enough time to start a real project, so most of the work done in the shop had been quick little fix-it or modify-it type of work. (more…)
Bent Lamination Fishing Net
This is a fishing net I made several years ago. I made it from plans out of the June 2001 issue of Wood Magazine.
The frame for this net made out of laminated Walnut and White Ash. The inlaid fish is also made out of Walnut. The plan called for 3/32″ thick strips, but mine were closer to 1/8″.
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