Blessing of McW Custom Woodcraft

The primary tool of MCW Inc. is a computer numerically controlled machine, with the commercial name ShopBot, standing for shop robot. It is a little bigger than a Ping-Pong table.

The tool consists of a carriage that allows precisely controlled motion of a cutting head in all directions, including vertical. The material to be machined is affixed to the table, and may be held there by vacuum suction, provided by the vacuum pump visible below the table working through a permeable board.

Here Jim is screwing a blank of wood ready for machining to the table, since the vacuum arrangement for holding blanks has not yet been set up.

The machine goes down to the end of the table and selects the appropriate cutter, or router bit.

Eric, Jim, John and David ready for the next operation. The cutter is placed over a corner of the blank to establish an origin point in the X-Y direction, and the head is lowered until the cutting tool just touches the surface, to establish the origin point in the Z- direction.

The machine goes to work...

This is a complicated piece to machine, requiring several passes, as various features in the finished product are developed. The dust and debris from the cutting action is removed by a dust collector as the job proceeds.

The blank will become a plaque featuring a relief of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The total work time for this piece is over an hour.

While the machine finishes its work, here is Joe finishing up the mowing work for a playing field when the guests arrive.

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The crowd of friends and well-wishers gathers for the blessing rite.

Father Pendergraff looks pleased to be performing a somewhat unusual priestly duty.

The blessing proceeds...

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At the conclusion of the ceremony, all hands are dismissed for cookout and evening activities.