Watch This Before You Buy A Desktop CNC Router

Tools To Help You Make Money With Your CNC

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[mickob]

As a professional cnc programmer and operator with over 25 years experience I would highly recommend that beginners use a safety guard around their machines as if a bit snaps or shatters they can cause serious damage and injuries. When it comes to setting feed rates and rpms you need to find the sweet spot. That is when the rotation speed and feed rate are in harmonic balance and the tool will actually cut very quietly even at full length of cut

[nealbrittain]

I have 51 years experience working with wood starting with 2x4 framing and progressing through cabinets and furniture. When considering the addition of a CNC router to my backyard shop, I found this video to be the perfect information needed for my decision. Thumbs up!

[selfawareness]

One thing I always appreciate is a person that is where I want to be, who is willing to show others below him on the ladder. Everybody has something to teach and everybody has something to learn. Much appreciated!

[alexcrouse]

I did literally every step of this process the hard way years ago.

Listen to this guy.

[mbunds]

Because of videos like yours, my first build went together like I had been doing this all my life! I work in industry, so “perfect” startups of complex systems rarely happen, but my CNC mill just “fell together” and worked perfectly as I followed the steps. And that’s just the hardware, which is probably the easiest part, because then comes the software, for design, and then for communicating with the machine. Again, advice from channels like yours helped me navigate through “the weeds” without making costly mistakes, so I thought I would just say thanks!

[Tensquaremetreworkshop]

Excellent summation. I always suggest that anyone uncertain about using a CNC machine first buys a 3D printer. This gives experience with design and gcode files etc, but doesn't have the complexity of tooling, hold-downs, cutting paths or collision issues. No infrastructure such as tables and extraction. Once that is all learned, the step to CNC is much gentler, and the 3D printer remains a useful resource. If it is all too much, the lost investment is much smaller.

[dirtmover]

All great points to consider for a noob. I'd add that if you set your expectations accordingly you can also learn a lot from a $200 3018 along with $50 worth of bits. Sure, it's slow and what you can do with it is very limited but it's a great way to negotiate the learning curve and figure out if CNC is really something you want to pursue before dropping over 10x that amount on a more capable machine.

[CNCmachiningisfun]

Back in 2008, I designed and built a fairly large CNC machine.
Once I got it working, I discovered that I had no idea how to use it!
Not too long after, I figured it out, and became addicted to making all sorts of things with it.
Needless to say, it has clocked up many thousands of hours of productive, and profitable, machine runtime :) .

[dillonksanders]

A lot of wisdom here. Newbies pay attention. I have taken the journey Andy speaks of over the last year or so as well. You are not going to be creating beautiful projects on your first cut. So much to learn before you begin producing sellable products. I started with a very cheap partially 3D Printed CNC. For me this CNC allowed me to make some very disastrous mistakes that didn't cost me much to fix. I broke something I just printed a new part. It had entirely too much give and flex for what I wanted to do but it got my head into cad, into cam and into the software that navigates the cnc and was very forgiving when I screwed up. Several crashes later and I had a good understanding of what NOT to do. Eventually I determined this cnc wasn't going to do what I needed it to do and committed to (what Andy said) around a $2500 budget and got what I would call a serious CNC. Taking what I learned from my mostly printed CNC I was able to then delve into my feeds and speeds and operating the machine in a manner it was intended. But I didn't just start right in making projects. I have been running test cuts in pine and hardwood to determine what is too fast of a feed and what is too slow of a speed for my router. I just about have every possible cut figured out and dialed in so as I begin making projects. So give yourself the time it takes to learn things and make your mistakes. Because you are going to make several. Like Andy said be willing to fail and you rewards will be great. Thanks for this video Andy. Wish you had made it a year ago.

[Mad_Cap.]

I'm putting together a workshop in my garage since my father passed and I am disabled; I always felt at home in shop classes and only used a laser cutter once but a CNC machine sounds perfect for the craft shows I want to do.

[johnny]

I’m just about to start the fascinating world of Glowforge and CNC. You have made my job 1000% easier, you’re a natural in front of the camera and convey your information in a clear and concise way. You’re my number one source of information before anyone else, many thanks for you’re amazing videos.

[CarneyColours]

A very refreshing and honest attempt to make new users aware of what to expect, always remeber '' To be forewarned is to be forearmed ''.

[sallenart]

Thanks for the breakdown. I went for the sub1000 price range, and got a small 3018 clone, and upgraded the spindle/controller to a variable rate with a wasteboard and clamp. Coming from 3D printing I already have some experience with these little quirky machines. Im a fledgling pocket-knife creator, and I wanted something to compliment the synthetic 3D extrusion with the ability to cut out small plastic/soft metal parts. Im already looking ahead to setting up a larger router system in my garage workshop where the bigger tools are. Ill use your resources as I progress in my journey. Cheers!

[jeffteeter]

When I first started using a CNC milling machine, there was no such thing as CAD/CAM and the processes I used were later incorporated into that format. I am now a retired master machinist and look back on G-code programming with fond memories. By the way, the tools you refer to as tapered bit, I ground myself with relief.

[danobrien]

As someone who has been thinking about purchasing a CNC machine for several years, I found this video very informative. Thank you.

[The_Digital_Samurai]

A 4th one is a down cut bit. I highly recommend buying one. I have had no need for the replaceable ones. Then again I have only done small jobs on a printed CNC. I am thinking of committing money to a larger CNC like a Shapico or something at some point. I started on CNC when I was 14 as an apprentice Tool & Die Maker. Back then CNC was a new thing. Left the trade to work on computers and never looked back till I wanted a hobby build. Now I enjoy it.

[siemmeester]

Dude al the info in This video wil letterly safe you a lot of Hessel. I have so much respect for this Guy

[Carpenters_Canvas]

Thank you man, I was just talking to my partner about getting a cnc, and i completely understand what your saying, If I'm going to do it i don't want some simple, cheap machine, i want something that will make things that have quality and with a machine capable of doing the best job. A little more saving for me but i will take your advice!! Thanks

[mardav]

This is the most honest and helpful video that I've seen, so far, on YouTube. Anybody even thinking about a CNC should watch this one.

[tevindouglas]

I'm so glad I found your channel. Please keep pushing these videos, your tribe is for sure tuning in