Part 1

On my first hive, I machined most of the features, as shown here.

Part 2

I then rotated the stock 180 degrees and machined the remaining features.

While this system is the easiest to setup, it does have its drawbacks.

If the stock you are machining is not exactly the size of the stock you used to make your tool paths, you will get an error in your verticals equal to the amount your stock differs from your target.

In addition if there is any difference in table tram, your depth of cut can also be off.

My panels still fit into the dado shown here, but that is only because I used plywood which is about 1/32” thinner than the 3/4” stock the hive was designed for. Had I been making this hive out of solid 3/4” stock, it would not have fit.

Part 1

On my second hive, I machined the panel as I did on the first hive.

Part 2

Instead of rotating the panel I moved it down 8” and machined the remaining features.

As you can see, the dado machined perfectly.

In order to move the stock down exactly 8”, I created this 1/4” MDF fixture.

The fixture is 19” wide by 48” long. It will act as a waster board with small index holes to allow me to position the stock.

I used the CNC to make 10 small 1/8” diameter holes.

The two holes shown here are to align the fixture when placing it on the CNC.

These holes will work as the index the panel to its initial position. Here the part 1 cuts will be made.

These four holes are used to move the panel to be cut down 8” exactly to make the part 2 cuts.

I place the fixture on my machine.

With a 1/8” end mill in my machine, I move the machine to X2, and Y2 and align the bit with my indexing hole.

I clamp the fixture in-place.

The part 1 indexing pins are added.

The panel is paced on the fixture against the indexing pins and clamped to the table.

Another clamp is added.

More clamps.

More clamps.

Another clamp.

And one more clamp.

It is important to check the Y zero point before making any cuts. I move the machine to Y0 and check that the bit is centered on the edge.

If it is not, I move the Y axis until it is and zero Y.

With the panel securely clamped to the table I make the first set of cuts.

Once the part 1 cuts have been made I loosen the clamps holding the panel and slide it away from my index pins.

Important

Don’t loosen any clamps holding the fixture.

The pins are move the part 2 position.

The part 2 cuts are then made.

When cutting the larger side panels, I placed a piece of the same 1/4” MDF under the panel to supply support and the clamps added. The process is the same.

The finished panels.

For future use, I wrote down the offset to make setting up the next time easier.