I was originally just going to use the CNC to simply rough cut out the outline instead of cutting out on the bandsaw and then shape them by hand. Vcarve can import 3D shapes and carve them but the design capability is mostly 2D (you have to upgrade to Aspire to design 3D shapes). It does have some 3D clip art and some of the shapes are domes and dishes which you can resize and stretch. With only a little bit of experimentation in the software, I found a really easy way to do do the most of the shaping so all that was left was some sanding by hand to ease and round the edges. To do the 2 sided machining required that the blank be a precise width and thickness. I did my first test run in a crappy piece of lauan plywood that I salvaged. The first test turned out that the bowl was too thin but that was an easy fix. I just stretched the height of the dome on the back and increase the overall thickness of the entire spoon a bit.
I think that one of the best things for me about participating the swaps is that they push me to try new things that I would not even think to try otherwise.
BTW, if any of you have Vcarve and would like to try this, send me a PM and I can share the files with you.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
