My name is Rick Salisko, and I make board games and toys in my small shop in New Brunswick, Canada, under the name Grumpy Paws Creations. I sell my games and a few toys at local craft fairs near Christmas, but most of my simple wooden toys are donated to local hospitals, shelters, and food banks.
My Rummoli board began as a request from a relative in Newfoundland, where the game is especially popular. What followed was a long process of learning, redesigning, and refining—culminating in an 18-inch board carved on my Genmitsu PROVerXL 6050 Plus CNC.
From Computer Technology to CNC Woodworking
I have been making games for several years, and they became especially popular during the pandemic, when families were spending more time at home. I bought my first CNC and laser more than ten years ago. Because my previous career was in the computer industry, bringing technology into my woodworking shop felt straightforward—and genuinely enjoyable.
By 2025, however, my older tools were beginning to show their age. After researching the market, I discovered SainSmart. The CNC’s features and reviews impressed me, so in late 2025 I gave myself an early Christmas present: a Genmitsu PROVerXL 6050 Plus CNC.
My first CNC came with a Vectric VCarve Pro license, but I soon wanted to expand into 3D carving. I upgraded to Aspire, and now every board game I make—whether laser etched or CNC carved—begins there.
Designing a Better Rummoli Board
My first attempts at designing the Rummoli board were admittedly primitive. Despite decades in the computer industry, I had no experience with computer graphics or CAD. I am also one of those people who considers a manual an absolute last resort, so there was plenty of trial and error.
My old CNC was not always reliable. During a long job, it could suddenly send the bit across the workpiece or plunge into the spoilboard, ruining hours of work. After about six redesigns, I finally produced a board that I felt was good enough to share with relatives in exchange for constructive feedback.
Two more revisions followed. Version 8 proved successful, and I sold a few boards at craft shows and shipped others across Canada. At that stage, every board was carved from black cherry—my favorite wood and a pleasure to machine.
The design still was not perfect. The pockets were shallow, making the coins difficult to remove. When Vectric introduced custom pocket profiles, I used the feature to create deeper, contoured pockets. That improvement became Version 9.
Moving to the PROVerXL 6050 Plus
By then, my old CNC’s bearings had developed play. Although I had replaced the controller and solved its worst reliability problems, the worn motion system left tool marks that required excessive sanding.
The PROVerXL 6050 Plus changed that. I was thrilled to discover that the Aspire-generated toolpaths from my old CNC could run on the Genmitsu machine without changes, so I could begin carving Rummoli boards almost immediately.
Carving, Finishing, and Adding Epoxy Details
Each board is 18 inches in diameter and has nine pockets. I rough each pocket with a 1/4-inch ball nose bit, then finish it with a 1/16-inch ball nose bit. Depending on the pocket, a roughing pass takes about 20 to 30 minutes. I usually spread those cuts over a full day so the router and bits do not overheat.
Because both tools have 1/4-inch shanks, I use a trim router for this work and reserve the Genmitsu spindle for more delicate jobs. The finishing passes take considerably longer—often 40 minutes or more per pocket—but the PROVerXL 6050 Plus is rigid enough to leave a surface that needs only light sanding.
I carve the lettering with the same 1/16-inch ball nose bit to a depth of about 3/16 inch, then fill the cuts with dyed epoxy. After carving and sanding, the board receives four coats of finish.
Although I love the color and character of cherry, I have also begun making the boards from roasted ash sourced from Thermal Woods Canada, a local specialist in thermally treated wood. The deep color of the roasted ash creates a striking contrast with white epoxy lettering.
The Finished Rummoli Board
The finished boards speak for themselves. Their sculpted pockets, card-suit details, contrasting epoxy lettering, and rich finish make them stand out at craft shows. They are my most expensive game, so they do not sell as quickly as some of my simpler pieces—but they consistently attract attention.
For me, the project represents more than a finished game board. It reflects years of learning, nine design versions, a move to more capable CNC equipment, and the satisfaction of turning a family request into a polished product that people can enjoy together.
