Basics for CNC Beginners: Changing Bits During a Project

Gain the confidence to effortlessly craft multi-bit projects. Join us as we demonstrate the process of changing bits during your CNC projects that require multiple tool transitions.

Chapters:
00:00 - What’s this video about?
00:44 - Steps For Success
02:15 - Assigning Bits to Toolpaths
03:31 - Saving Toolpaths
04:40 - Toolpath Warning
05:25 - gSender
05:45 - Secure Material
06:10 - Mount First Bit
06:42 - Zero Your Bit and Tip
07:50 - Load and Run First Gcode File
08:20 - Load Second Gcode File
08:42 - Change to Second Bit
09:08 - Re-Zero Z Axis Only
09:46 - Run Second Gcode File
11:24 - Summary

Know the Beginners Kit

Know the new AutoZero Touch Plate

Know the Starter End Mill Set

Know the Sign Makers End Mill Set

Know the 3D Carver End Mill Set

Know the Machinists End Mill Set

Know the LongMill MK2

• Resources

Long Mill Resources Page I Sienci Labs

// FEATURED TOOLS & SOFTWARES

•Softwares
gSender | Sienci Labs

Vectric V-Carve Pro V11

Vectric V-Carve Desktop V11

• LongMill Add-ons

Dust Shoe I Sienci Labs

TouchPlate I Sienci Labs

Checklist Poster

// PROJECT IDEAS

// JOIN US

Hashtags:
#siencilabs #longmill #cnc #cncmachining #basicsforcncbeginners #cncbeginner #cncprojects #bitchanging #cnc101 #machiningtips #multibitprojects

[AlexHolguin-pm]

Thanks for the help. Excellent process for changing bits.

[beardedlocoswoodworks]

It’s all great but easy stuff. You need to do a video on a two part bit job. I struggled with that at the beginning but now got it down “I think “ lol maybe you have a better n easier way. Thanks. Great video.

[heathmichael]

Thanks so much for making this video! Please keep them coming!

[luckyanjeh]

Excellent video with fun. thank you dude

[stephenfirlotte]

Great video, you made it great by telling us the steps then demonstrating the steps. a thought for a future video, multi bits, multi projects(G54, G55...) using same bit on each job. Can demonstrate same job done on this video x 2(3...)(as an example). This would be set up doing multiple jobs with fewer bit changes and reduce over all time.

[ScottHorsley]

Great video, however, if your CNC is using belts, changing your bit can actually cause the head to move (that is vague i realise). If that happens, a complete homing can be helpful between cuts but totally depends on your setup.

[jav]

GREAT video!! can you show this for the original touch plate? or is it the same process just flip over and let it hit the plate?

[MiterTrimCarpentry]

Hi Scott, What if we want to save our files in a SINGLE GCODE FILE and use a bit setter to automate the Z height when performing a tool change, can this be done with the SLB EXT while also be configured in gSender? Please and thank you in advance!! :))

[LIFE-F]

question: what if material itself is not flate anymore (after one operation) how to calibrate Z axis? can I calibrate on a CNC bed? then probably I have to set again X and Y axis at zero right?

[ClintonCaraway-CNC]

Does the Longboard controller support a tool length probe for saving all the files together and just loading tools and having them touch off when needed??
Something similar to the C3D Bitsetter or the probes you can use with the Masso controller???

[michaelsweet]

Can you please explain how you would do this if you did not have a touchplate? The first step in the process getting x and y to zero using the paper method is the mystery to me. Can you help? Thanks and Im hoping to try carving those Christmas ornaments when I learn this!

[archetypalMaker]

Nice video, what if the roughing phase takes the initial material out, what is the best place to setup the Z axis in this case? I just use the top of the material left but it feels like there is a better solution that I can't get my head around.

[adrianharrison]

That's if you are not carving the whole top in the first process