Impressive, to both you and the software.
Was this with very small end mill or v-carved?
I would have to think end mill as v-carve is very sensitive to variations of height.
Hard to believe, but the “engraving” was done with a tiny bit from Precise Bits [EM3E8-0100-15VC]. Their Product specialist politely warned me that my home-made router would break the bit I had chosen, due to inadequate tolerances, run-out, and the fact that the engraving had to be done in four passes, so as not to damage the bit. I was told that after four passes, the text would likely become distorted/blurry. Obviously, I knew the whole project to be somewhat of a gamble, but I was determined. Thanks to my Textron Engineer Son, who chose all the cnc-router components [some from Indymill, Duet3D, Amazon, etc.], the darn thing works better than I could have expected. Gratifying, was when Precise Bits stated they’d never heard of hobby cnc working so well and not breaking bits, especially with repeat passes over the same path. Multiple passes, created the depth needed for the white color graphic inlays.
But… now my son lives far away and so I’m sort of on my own, regarding the software side of things. I’ve been desperately waiting for the chance to try using MillMage. Drawing my artwork with LightBurn has been a gas! And so I’m convinced, MillMage will allow me to circumvent using Fusion by way of my son, altogether. Artwork to Engraving… via a single ware. Wow!
And yes, my wife thinks I should sell my rack-mount 3-channel guitar preamp. I made it because I wanted some unique features, that I could not find, retail. Plus, I wanted to build it from scratch anyway, including the finished artwork/panels. It’s 100% pure triode design, patches directly into my control room console, and blasts through the monitors, sounding very live/raw! Takes me back to the 60’s[Hendrix/Zepplin], before we had integrated circuits.
One of my design ideas: All three channels are always on, but only the ‘selected’ channel is heard. Signals never pass through a relay/contact of any kind. No pops or clicks, even using headphones.
I’ll stop now, and not “Ramble On”, as “If 6 Was 9”.
Thanks for your time.
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Sounds like they confused home made with China made. Interesting paragraph.
Hi.
Great work @Tubeman, engraving always make the product stand out of the masses.
If I was a betting sort, I’d be tempted to bet that their statement was based on past experience of having to deal with (unwarranted) warranty claims.
Sure, there’s in general the ~1% of us who build our own because the stuff available doesn’t meet our demands, but the rest 99% probably build their own because the Far East stuff feels too expensive.
And because they usually source the hardware and controllers as cheaply as possible, tool problems -among plethora of other problems- are guaranteed.
Especially with a PITA to begin with routable aluminium, coupled with tiny bits.
So in their experience a well made and sturdy DIY router is an exception to the rule, and they replied solely based on past experience.
In this case they were wrong, and that always gives a warm fuzzy feeling 
Regards,
Sam
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Most impressive to me, was the accuracy we achieved using open-loop stepper motors, as opposed to closed-loop servos. My decades of industrial machine repairs rarely involves ‘steppers’. I suppose a smaller scale machine like mine, doesn’t require the power/torque, of a large-scale model.
On a lighter note: While I’ve yet to make a single-one repair to this little guy, I spend nearly every day making both electronic and mechanical repairs to million dollar lasers, that are still under warranty.
Windows-based firmware on some industrial machines, gives me way more headaches, than say a Mori Seiki operation system. Of which, takes me back to LightBurn. It has been virtually the only software that I myself, could grasp without any assistance. And that’s why I just can’t wait to put MillMage [does it all-in-one] to the test. Have the feeling it will be a perfect match for me and my little machine.
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As someone who has built an awful lot of the equipment we used in our woodworking business I give you many “curtain calls” for your work and perseverance.
One of my biggest “paydays” was when my sixty year old son said to me,
“How did you know how to do that?” Yes, I think MilllMage is going to be a great piece of software, hope I am able to enjoy it since when you are nearing ninety one years, futures are looked at differently.
Thank you for your postings.
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Just turned 78 here. Buy a Corvette, it will keep you young. It is working for me.
Old is how you feel, not how you are. Think young, be young. Think old, be old. Your choice.
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My favorite saying is, “Life in prison is not much of a deterrent. Be careful with your next move.”
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Ron from Precise Bits might not have grasped what you built. I used to deal with Precise Bits a lot before I retired. We had a Gerber Profile 408 which is a pretty accurate router. We used to buy all of our bits from Gerber, but we found Precise Bits lasted longer.
I looked up that bit you were using. 0.010" diameter - pretty nice 
Appreciate everyone’s kind/positive comments. Think I’ve come to the conclusion that I suffer from SMB. Lol.
Problem #1 solved: Design a [totally analog components] way to have my guitar plugged into three separate vacuum tube preamp circuits, simultaneously, yet only one of those selected preamps is heard at the final output. Keep in mind that the [pure tube] analog signal never passes through a mechanical switch, relay, or even bilateral type device [4066].
Problem #2 NOT SOLVED: Take a 19" rack panel [text drawing] I have in LighBurn, export it as an SVG file, and open it in a trial version of Easel. Then do whatever is necessary to convert/output that text drawing as a Gcode file to control my Duet-based cnc router.
Must be SMB.
Cure: Send my LightBurn drawing to someone who can perform the conversion for me… Seriuosly!
What are you doing in Easel that cannot be done in Lightburn?
Can’t setup tool paths in Lightburn.
Got it. I forgot easel was CNC software.
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Which is why I need a 6 million dollar copy of MillMage today.
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I woulike to be considered for the Beta test group. I currently have a Gatton CNC running a Raspberry Pi based controller with the Protoneer hat for the last 7 years. I also have a Bobs CNC Revolution and a Ginmitsu 4040. All run GRBL. I use LB on my Monport 2028 60w laser. Was watching the Millmage demo this weekend and was really impressed
If the list is still open, I would be happy to participate in beta testing.
I have more than 3 years of experience with laser and CNC (Genmitsu GRBL).
I am familiar with Fusion 360, Estlcam and VCarve.
I’m also a professional software developer. I belive that I’m able to provide you valuable feedback from beta tests.
How to get the beta?
Here you go