Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] - (was re: new group idea)

> In the past this group (CCED) has focused on the actual building of
> HSCNC (Home Shop CNC) machines. We have considered topics of what you
> do with the machine after it's built, such as techniques, work
> hold-downs, and how to make money with your machine off topic.
>
> I would like to toss out to the members (and especially the longtime
> contributors) the question: would it make the list better if we opened
> that focus up some and included the post operation of a HSCNC machine
> and discussions that might include some aspects of how to make money
> with your machine. The intent would not be to have Business 101
> discussions about non-CNC subjects (i.e what's the best accounting
> software for my small business) but to offer some feedback to persons
> wanting to start a part-time or even full-time business using their
> CNC machine they have built.
>
> Key parts here are that the discussion would need to focus on using a
> machine built or retrofitted by a member.It would be off-topic to
> discuss "What do I charge for shop time for my Haas VMC" or a
> commercial machine but on-topic to talk about how to use a machine you
> have built to make money.
>
> This is a stickey subject and perhaps not wanted by the membership.
> Feel free to give me your thoughts on or off list.
>
> Tom Caudle
> list co-owner

[I would welcome some expansion of the areas considered on-topic for this
group. Originally, it seemed like it was more open; we could talk about CAD
programs, for instance, and not just about building CNC machines at home. I
understand that the volume of messages was a bit high at the time, but it
has dropped off considerably since then. Yes, I think it would be good to
have a place where we could discuss the production of our designs on the
computer, toolpathing strategies, fixturing, cutters and materials that
we're cutting, and the actual running of our machines (to name a few things
that seem pretty relevant to me) without being ruled off-topic. Let's try it
a while and see what happens. If we start getting more messages than we can
handle, it's always possible to start restricting it some more at that
point. I'd be content to leave business-oriented discussions to the new
CNC_MMG group, though.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com