Relaxing eating Cheetos and playing Tetris is not what I've been doing since my last video … well, a minimum of not all of the time ever since.
I've wheeled my Stepcraft CNC into the operating theatre and like Steve Austin, reconstructed it more powerful, much faster and much better! Just like I did with all of my toys when I was a kid!
And yes, I did all of this work on my kitchen area island workbench. That's for all of the crybabies who say they don't have $100,000 shops filled with millions of dollars worth of tools.
The CNC works PERFECTLY now and I really eagerly anticipate utilizing it, instead of dreading it.
That's not to toss shade on the initial Stepcraft M1000 – it is an excellent maker – however it is integrated in a way where all of the parts that require routine upkeep are hidden away.
I'm an "out of sight out of mind" type of wood butcher, and if it's not staring me in the face, I don't see it needs any attention.
The brand-new build isn't as pretty, however it's tough and practical and whatever that needs TLC is best out in the open. A flatbed truck instead of a streamlined supercar.
PS: I'm developing another CNC – a smaller one for cutting plastic and metal – and using the remaining parts from the original device. So a 2 for 1, virtually! More information on that one soon.
The mallet ballast is spare modification – Canadian nickels and cents – that have actually been being in my van for years. I seldom have an opportunity to use it and I'm not taking it to the bank, so I decided to build a woodworkers piggybank! If I all of a sudden go broke, I can crack it open and buy a glass of water or an opinion online.
Maybe I can begin a custom of constructing a new mallet every year and I have actually already got a lot of quarters for the next one.
▶ Job prepares for sale:
▶ Support the work I do on Locals:
▶ Patreon:
▶ Join my Makers Mob for in-depth build tutorials:
My "Scrap bin" channel:
Website:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Woodworkers Secrets Revealed – Click Here to Discover the #1 Woodworking Resource!
Sitting around eating Cheetos and playing Tetris is not what I’ve been doing since my last video… well, at least not all of the time since then.
I’ve wheeled my Stepcraft CNC into the operating theatre and like Steve Austin, rebuilt it stronger, faster and better! Just like I did with all of my toys when I was a kid!
And yes, I did all of this work on my kitchen island workbench. That’s for all of the crybabies who say they don’t have $100,000 shops full of millions of dollars worth of tools.
The CNC works PERFECTLY now and I actually look forward to using it, rather than dreading it.
That’s not to throw shade on the original Stepcraft M1000 – it is an excellent machine – but it is built in a way where all of the parts that need regular maintenance are hidden away.
I’m an “out of sight out of mind” type of wood butcher, and if it’s not staring me in the face, I don’t see it needs any attention.
The new build isn’t as pretty, but it’s tough and functional and everything that needs TLC is right out in the open. A flatbed truck as opposed to a sleek supercar.
PS: I’m building another CNC – a smaller one for cutting plastic and metal – and using the leftover parts from the original machine. So a 2 for 1, practically! More details on that one soon.
The mallet ballast is spare change – Canadian nickels and dimes – that have been sitting in my van for years. I rarely have a chance to use it and I’m not taking it to the bank, so I decided to build a woodworkers piggybank! If I suddenly go broke, I can crack it open and buy a glass of water or an opinion online.
Maybe I can start a tradition of building a new mallet every year and I’ve already got a lot of quarters for the next one.
you sure didn’t nickel and dime us on the making of that mallet – fascinating details throughout
I did this for my first mallet build! Filled it full of pennies. 😂🤘🏻
What a waste of money… 🤣 Great design! That is ingenious and very practical. Thanks for sharing!
Wow – did you pay for it? Only John should have to consider if it’s a waste.
It would have probably cost more than the 3 or 4 dollars John out in there to buy lead shot 🙂
Obvious joke fellas.
John your work is always interesting and appreciated. You owe us nothing, but you keep giving. Thanks for the video and please try to enjoy life.
Oh yes, i’ve utterly enjoyed it. Awesome stuff John!!!
alcohol works like magic as coolant for cutting aluminium
Yes, but it’s $20 per litre here these days, unfortunately. Soapy water seems to to the trick and is a lot less expensive.
@@JohnHeisz $20/l wow, I think denatured ethanol is like 1/5 that here, and that’s if you buy it 1l at a time at the supermarket
The plan is to save this big CNC for wood only and I’ve been building a smaller one to cut metal and plastic with that will use flood coolant. I’ll buy some coolant mix for that arrangement.
Nice CNC upgrade and terrific mallet build John! 👍👍🔨🔨
I really wanted to see your accuracy throwing darts 8:03 – That could make for some really ELECTRIFYING CONTENT
Always a pleasure. 👍🏻
Nice hammer John. Been watching your progress on Patreon and it’s good to see the cnc in action.
Thanks 🙂
I understand maybe a quarter of what you are talking about but I am in awe everytime you tell us about your work. You sir are a true gem of a eclectic: the skills you have and those you develop to solve problems are fantastic. Thanks a lot for share them with us.
Hi John, that was one of the most interesting intros to a video that I have ever seen. Some of my woodturning mates are engineers who are deeply into 3-D printing and one of them has offered me a super printer for silly, mate’s, money and I am very tempted but worried that it will just end up sitting on a bench with stuff stored on top of it… frantic thinking going on late at night when I can’t sleep. Super video too, as always. I hope life is good for you.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
Thanks my friend 🙂
What makes the 3D printer great for me is that it can make complicated parts that would take hours to make in the traditional way. That’s why I put so much time into learning the FreeCAD program – to quickly and effortlessly (and cheaply, too) bring parts to life so that I can spend time doing the stuff that actually requires handwork.
the dive into the cnc rebuild was appreciated, and the mallet looks ace!
Hi John,
Hope you are doing well.. Glad you are still around.
Pre ’64 dimes would have really brought this to another level.
I found a 1962 dime among them and put that with the 1937 quarter I found while sorting out the dimes and nickels. Save the silver for a special edition mallet 🙂
Great work as always John. Almost warm enough in Iowa for me to get back into the shop.
Nice mallet. That thing is money!
You are a master of so many skills, my hero. I, too, have learned freecad and love making 3d woodworking working hardware. Thank you for giving me the inspiration and confidence. A very big fan.
Really beautiful mallet, John! Fantastic work! 😃
Someday I’m going to build a CNC as well!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊