Kevin (Jeddiscroller)

[JohnB]

G'day Kev,
I think we would both agree on this one.

This gives me the absolute S@#&s.

Handmade ?????????????????? my A&*&%$

As I've said before, I don't have a problem with with CNC Machines or laser cutters, mainly because I can't see much sense in trying to hold back the tide.

False advertising, or misrepresentation or whatever you like to call it gets right up my nose.

My wife bought this back for me from Sydney.

It is so obviously laser cut, the charring is readily visible on the edges.


Anyhow, off my soap box.

[Pajaro]

Good eye John. Some people's idea of hand made is sure different than ours. Like you I have no problem with CNC stuff as long as it is represented as such. Unfortunately most people wouldn't know the difference. So if anyone out there is making things with a CNC system, please don't pass it off as hand cut. Original design OK, but not hand made. Thanks

[BobD]

I think that actually might be a plasma cutter, John. Lasers, as far as I know, can only cut 1/8" or thinner. I have a friend with a high-end laser, and it takes him two passes to cut through 1/8"-thick work. That looks about 3/4" thick, so I can't imagine them making that many passes!

Bob

[Jediscroller]

There are some industrial lasers out there that will cut some pretty thick stuff but they're mega-dollar systems. A 3000 Watt laser can cut up to 3/4" on carbon steel so wood would be a piece of cake (you can read about different high end laser systems here). A plasma would be my guess as well.

And yep John, we're in absolute agreement on this one. This is what chaffs my hide with this stuff. I've seen laser cut and CNC stuff at lots of fairs and the number is growing as the systems drop in price. You can get a decent epilog laser system now for less than $5000, a shop bot CNC system is in the same price range now and Plasma systems are coming down quite a bit also. The ones that really worry me though are the water jet systems. You can cut up to 4" thick lumber down to a .005" radius which is tighter than is possible with a scroll saw. No tell-tale burn marks either. Fortunately for now they're still cost prohibitive but I'm sure their prices will be dropping as the technology matures as well. I think we're more in agreement than you realize John. I have no problems with CNC's, Lasers, Plasmas or Water-Jets. What I have a problem with is the misrepresentation of them in fairs. It's very common and has become a big problem for fairs here. It seems that the majority of home-based business folks with these things have no problem calling their stuff "hand-made" which is why I shudder every time the price drops on these systems.

[Khalid]

wow..nice piece.....
I love such work and always find easy at my machine..I can't work hard like you guys doing

[f250]

I have clubbed many a person for asking me if my stuff was laster cut. It is painfully obvious when we go to the shows and they have such finely detailed stuff for so cheap. I then start looking hard for the burn marks, they always seem to be there.

Tom

[MikeDingas]

I, too, agree that such stretching of the truth is not fair to customers nor we REAL woodworkers. The Christmas ornaments I donated at the office last year raised some eyebrows. Several refused to believe they were cut on a scroll saw 'til I told about the ugly burn marks laser cutting leaves behind.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by BobD

I think that actually might be a plasma cutter, John. Lasers, as far as I know, can only cut 1/8" or thinner. I have a friend with a high-end laser, and it takes him two passes to cut through 1/8"-thick work. That looks about 3/4" thick, so I can't imagine them making that many passes!

Bob

Bob, you may very well be right. The timber is 3/4"

Originally Posted by Jediscroller

There are some industrial lasers out there that will cut some pretty thick stuff but they're mega-dollar systems. A 3000 Watt laser can cut up to 3/4" on carbon steel so wood would be a piece of cake A plasma would be my guess as well.

Kev, My understanding is that steel can be cut much more easily than wood, with a heat source such as a laser. If the timber is much over 1/4" there is a good chance of it catching fire. That is what through me at first when I saw the piece, but it is so obviously cut with a machine, and technology is improving ????????????????

And yep John, we're in absolute agreement on this one.


.

Originally Posted by MikeDingas

I, too, agree that such stretching of the truth is not fair to customers nor we REAL woodworkers. .

Mike, I just might send an email of to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading and get there take on "Handmade" Can't hurt to ask

[turningnut]

John,

I agree with you whole heartly, I'll bet they call themselves 'woodworkers' too. When all they are, are 'wood loaders'. Forget the programming and all, they are still just feeding the machine.

I'm a salesman for a major welding supply company, I sell welding robots, plasmas, cutting machines and water jets. I can take most any person and train them to run any of these machines, and make petfect welds or cuts, but that DOES NOT make them a welder, just a machine operator...Give them a mig gun or a tig torch and they are useless as a welder. Same thing here...JMHO

I also have no problem with there product so long as they label it as MACHINE made.

Mike

[JimSawyer]

So I guess my inlay work could probably be done on one of these monsters!? Technology has it's plus's, but I agree, there ought to be a law against calling it handmade. It took me 17+ years to get to where I've gotten. It's kind of gut wrenching to think it's been for nought.