On Saturday Oct. 11th, we held our first New Hampshire Camp, at John and Donna Limoli’s shop in Derry. When we planned this Camp months ago we didn’t realize that we would be lucky enough to catch the “peak weekend for leaf peeping”as it is called in these parts. The weather was perfect, and as you can see from the colors above the Fall foliage was almost blinding in it’s intensity.
Even though we don’t have a large number of Shopbot owners in the immediate area, we had a good turnout, and it gave everyone a chance to participate in all phases of the day.
John’s primary business is cabinetry, but he also takes on a number of “outside jobs”and he showed us some of his techniques. He also explained how he and another Shopbotter- BJ Wikinson have collaborated on a couple of projects in the last year, with BJ doing the programming, and John doing the cutting. The results showed that it’s a very productive arrangement.
Paul Zank gave a great demonstration of his now “famous” (see the Shopbot WIKI) inlay technique, and some of his images showed why this is becoming such a popular technique in the Shopbot community.
Bob “Skippy”Mc Fadriss, explained how he uses his machine to produce his “Skippy rescue boards”, and he also explained some of his sign making techniques.
Dick Baynes also brought in some signs, and carvings and spoke about how he produces them.
BJ Wilkinson described her experiences using different software packages to create cutting files, and she also brought in signs,some violin parts, and a pre school kids game she helped to design, and produce.
John’s shop is a great example of flexibility, and efficiency. he is able to cut very large radiused projects in a limited area, and his dust collection system is the best I have seen in a shop of this size. John also explained to the group the advantages of using his dual Z axis ( One 5hp Colombo spindle, and one Porter Cable router) rig to manufacture different products. He also showed the group a VERY large raised panel profile bit he is planning to install on his machine once they finish building the 3/4″collet he’s going to need for his Colombo…
John is hoping to use some of the “momentum”from this Camp to organize a “User group”in the area in the next few months, and I think it will probably lead to even more collaboration as time goes on…
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