New to cnc

12606 Views 79 Replies 17 Participants Last post by 2muchsanding, Dec 15, 2018

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · Sep 26, 2018

Just ordered a machine from cncrouterparts. 4824pro with vcarve pro 9.5. I'm not new to woodworking including lathe work, however CNC? whole new game for me. The unit has a 4 week lead time, so I'm trying to research everything I can before it arrives. Advice from anyone for a beginner? Best starter project? Tool paths has me a little confused.
Thanks

1 - 20 of 80 Posts

MoHawk

· #2 · Sep 27, 2018

YouTube will likely be your new best friend for awhile. I also have a Pro 4824. You can find several good videos on assemble of the CNCRP machines. Mark Lindsay CNC has good videos on VCarve Pro for the absolute beginner. Vectric LTD also has a complete list of videos. Paul Campbell and several others have a complete listing for Mach3. You can learn everything you need to know with these videos.

It may be a little overwhelming in the start, just stay with it. You can download a trail version of VCarve Pro 9.5 from Vectric website to use until you get your license from CNCRP.

Reactions: 2

MT Stringer

· #3 · Sep 27, 2018

Welcome aboard. Vectric has a lot of videos on You Tube. Git-to-watchin'!
That is what I did. Had no idea. But by the time I could afford the machine, I already had some projects designed. I don't know if you already have the software or not, but you can download free trial versions to play with.

My thinking is the KISS method - keep it simple stupid! Your noggin' will appreciate it.

Reactions: 1

4DThinker

· #4 · Sep 27, 2018 (Edited)

I'd go to Vectric.com and start watching the tutorial video for Vcarve Pro. https://support.vectric.com/tutorials/V9/?software=3&category=1&order=1

I had a few weeks between ordering and getting my 1st CNC and felt at least like I could set up and cut a few scraps with no trouble after watching those videos.

4D

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

· #5 · Sep 27, 2018

Not sure why we are getting double posts.

DesertRatTom

· #6 · Sep 27, 2018

One of our faves, Gaffboat just put out a The Newbie's Guide to CNC Routing: Getting started with CNC machining for woodworking and other crafts, on Amazon. Has good basic informaiton for someone in your situation. https://www.amazon.com/Newbies-Guid...1-fkmr0&keywords=CNE+for+newbies++Prof.+Henry

Reactions: 5

difalkner

· #7 · Sep 27, 2018

Welcome to the forum, Cary! Be sure to post photos of your shop, projects, CNC build, etc. We like pictures! :wink:

David

Reactions: 1

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 27, 2018

I just got my license for VCarve and downloaded it last night to play with. I will look up Mark Lindsay & Paul Campbell to view their videos. Guess I'll keep the coffee going and spend some time in YouTube.

Reactions: 1

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 27, 2018

I am a big fan of K.I.S.S. I also just ordered the 'Newbie's Guide to CNC Routing' thanks DRT
Thanks for the response everyone

marecat3

· #10 · Sep 27, 2018

welcome and have fun with your new CNC

Jeff Speedster929

· #11 · Sep 27, 2018

Welcome Cary, Congrats on the new machine. I'm sure you had some projects in mind for buying a CNC? I know why! Because there cool. I've had a woodworking shop for 30 years and have always enjoyed woodworking. My day job and title since 1990 is CNC Programmer. I've programmed burners, lasers, waterjet, mills, lathes, mill/turn & swiss machines so buying a CNC router for my wood shop was a perfect fit. Learning the software, programming, tools, setups and running the machine came naturally to me. Now having said that, I still remember how intimidating it all was when I started so feel for you in this new adventure. Be assured, it's not rocket science and it's not as hard as one might think once you get the feel for it. You Tube wasn't around when I started so I learned by reading the manuals. While you wait for the machine watch You Tube, download V Carve and get familiar with it. Keep in mind you will need a good post processor for the machine that works in V Carve and you'll need to purchase some basic tools so you have them available for the first projects. At minimum you'll need a V carve bit and a couple flat bits say 1/8" and 1/4". May need a spoil board flattening bit like a 1-1/4" to 1-1/2". I started making custom décor signs for friends at work and then put an add on-line to make signs for the local area. I have enough work to keep me busy but not too much I can't fulfill orders. Plus it's nice making extra money for more material and eating out... I really don't use many of my tools now since getting the router. I use the miter and table saw to cut blanks and make frames then the router table to cut rabbits but the rest is done on the CNC. If you have questions be sure to ask the group and have fun with the new toys...

See less See more

Reactions: 1

MEBCWD

· #12 · Sep 27, 2018

Cary welcome to the Router Forums.

I think you will like the CNCRouterParts 4824 Pro. Looks like a good sturdy machine and in the future, if you want a bigger machine it is easy to upgrade the CNCRouterParts CNCs. I'm considering a 4848 Pro as a replacement for the machines I have now so I have done research into their machines.

When watching the Vectric VCarve tutorials if installed on your computer watch them using the Category and not the Project option. The Category option starts at the basics and works to each level adding tools as you progress. If you try to use the Project option you will be lost if you are viewing advanced projects and you don't know the basic and intermediate tools.

If you go to the Vectric site to view the tutorials use the drop-down menu for Categories and work through from beginning to end so you learn as you progress through the videos.

Good luck and we would like to see you document your build with a few pictures as you build your new toy.

Reactions: 3

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 28, 2018

I watched some of Mark Lindsay's video's. They're great! thanks MoHawk. I even made sign in V Carve for the homestead here. Lots to learn yet however. I got an email from UPS, CNCRP shipped my machine yesterday, not even a week from the time I ordered it. Says it will be here Thursday the 4th.

Reactions: 3

DesertRatTom

· #14 · Sep 29, 2018

The Router Forums is accumulating a lot of expertise on CNC. I really look forward to seeing projects you folks produce. And the commercial possibilities are intriguing to me.

Reactions: 1

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 4, 2018

Thanks again for the replies. I've watched a couple videos and played around with V Carve. Created my first sign for the homestead. Now that I'm a pro at VCarve LOL, I need to learn how to get it into mach3 to run. Oh yeah, I guess I need a machine to run it on too.
Again I know I have a lot to learn, so thank you!

Reactions: 1

2muchsanding

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 4, 2018

3

UPS will be here today with my cncRP machine. Who knows when 8020 will get the base shipped. Oh well at least I can touch something. Here's a view of my lil shop the cnc will call home.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

MEBCWD

· #17 · Oct 4, 2018

Looks like you have plenty of room for the new CNC. I think I would be checking on the base extrusions because John had his a week or more before they shipped his CNC.

Reactions: 1

honesttjohn

· #18 · Oct 4, 2018

They usually drop ship the stands from 8020 a couple weeks before the machine. But you can just look at the pieces cause the hardware comes with the machine.

Reactions: 1

UglySign

· #19 · Oct 4, 2018

2muchsanding said:
... I'm not new to woodworking including lathe work, however CNC? whole new game for me. ...

@2muchsanding

We may be seeing you login sometime down the road with a new handle... 2muchcncing :grin:

Reactions: 3

whimsofchaz

· #20 · Oct 7, 2018 (Edited)

Dave Gatton has a vlog on Saturdays at 5 Easter time. He covers a lot of topics for newbies and has done this for a couple of years. Dave also has a Facebook page under Dave Gatton that is meant for newbies. His group is primarily made of people who bought Dave's DIY CNC machine however they talk about many CNC topics that would be relevant to a newbie..Also there is a guy in NZ who has a fantastic site for little tricks of the trade His site is CNCnutz on YouTube Peter Passuello is his name ... Mark Lindsay is a member of Dave's group also. There are a ton of good sites out there but if you go out to the sites that have been mentioned above you will find other sites to find more and more and more etc. Good luck and brew fresh coffee often

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 80 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.