How to wood carve like a master carpenter

Handsomely carved newel posts is now within easy reach for the prospective home buyer; the days where you had to depend on the craftsman's skill and time is now a thing of the past; you feel sad for a skill that is vanishing but that that is progress and mankind’s loss. The woodworking CNC router is here to do all the work of a skilled carpenter and much more.

What does CNC mean?

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control; and this term means exactly as stated; Computer - every point on a design is translated to a one or zero which means a mathematical representation of the point in space. Numerical - every facet of the design in three dimensions (popularly known as 3d) is plotted' Control- means exactly what it says; the machine obeys the design faithfully.

Principles of 3d wood carving

Wood carving in 2d was the start that allowed outlining a flat silhouette; the technology evolved into the 2.5d which meant creating recessed outlines and the cutting tool moved horizontally and sideways to replicate the x and y axis of a graph. From this point onwards technology took a quantum leap as the software allowed the tool cutter to assign depth thus creating the z-axis dimension for the 3d effect. By treating the design layer by layer, sculpting the required design in 3d is a snap. By changing the tool cutter profile interesting shapes like a chisel effect (to look as if a real craftsman has carved the design) can be had. The design capability of a CNC Router Woodworking machine is only constrained by the imagination. Curves, straight lines, angles, curlicues, whorls - all these elements can be designed to give a baroque look or creating spaces designed to heighten shadows  can enhance a wooden screen that will be the envy of any harem of a bygone era - conceal but yet be seen.

Woodcarving like a master carpenter

The woodworking CNC router can work at the same time on the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis cutting and milling simultaneously. The design literally stands out - to become outstanding (a rare case of pun intended to be literal). The process is tweaked on a 3d modelling software that differentiates the design process of yore when it was sketched by hand in ink on paper. This sketching and visualizing in 3D is a very skilled art that few traditional designers can do - a legendary name in this field is the Italian motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini who designs extraordinary motorcycles (The classic MV Augusta F1) by sketching and sculpting (using clay) first and then computer modelling the finished design. This is the hallmark of genius - but using a CNC router woodworking machine can make you a near genius.

These woodworking router machines have taken the guesswork in design, execution accuracy and the vagueness of time out of the equation that allows you a freedom unmatched and unimaginable just a few years ago. Does it mean that you are ready to design your own F1?