Winston, Your earlier videos have convinced me to pull the trigger and buy a Shapeoko a couple of months ago. I have never regretted the purchase and learn something new every day I us it. I am looking forward to what you have in store for everyone.
Winston, I've been on the fence about getting a cnc for a little while. You definitely are making me feel better about diving in and getting one. All of your videos are helpful and thank you for posting them!
i was in the same boat as you and I finally got mine fully assembled about three weeks ago. Without hesitation I say buy/make one. The INSTANT you complete your first job you'll be hooked
I was in the same boat as well. I am not going to lie the initial setup and structure and workflow was insanely frustrating for me as I am the type that I want to understand everything. I still have a lot to learn but I am definitely cranking out some products and I am really happy about that. And I managed to build a pretty sweet sound proofing box for the whole thing.
I took the dive and ordered one shortly after I posted this. Got it up and running. There were a few bugs that required a new control board from Carbide, but they got it to me almost overnight from the other side of the country. I can't say enough good things about the support from them. Also, I am doing my best to watch videos and try to learn where not to make mistakes but -- it happens! Savant PCs, did you do a custom job or download plans somewhere for your box?
Winston, This series looks like it will be good. I've been playing with my own DIY CNC for a couple years, but it's always good to see things through another person's eyes. Thank you for all your videos.
Winston, you young man are a genius in the world of CNC. I am approaching the opportunity to finally gets my hands into the art of CNC sign making. I designed signs for over twelve years and have always wanted to make carved signs and I just recently met a guy that has a Shapeoko 3 XL and wants to partner with me to start a sign business. I have randomly viewed some of your videos prior to finding your beginner series and I am looking forward to learning from you. At 62 years old, I have a lot of experience of working with machinery in both operating and repair of many types of things so I am looking forward to this new challenge and adventure. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience with us. Also, you have another subscriber.
I always love hearing about people from all different backgrounds working up the courage to add a new skill to their arsenal. Good luck on the new venture!
Awesome! Glad to see you are doing a series on this topic. I get asked a lot of questions about CNCs and it will be nice to point them your way. Keep up the good work!
I remember coming across your channel when I was first figuring out how to use the moderately expensive machine I bought. So I think this a fantastic idea for a series.
I'm finding CNC machining very interesting,but it is like learning a new programming language. There's a chicken and egg phase where you need to learn some things before you really start seeing the problems you can solve, but you will also see problems that you haven't yet learned to solve. With the proliferation of maker spaces, I think if one wants to try things out, one might be able to limit the investment investment to materials and bits. Looking forward to future episodes of this series!
Hi Winston, I've been a fan of you're video's for the past year. I'm a High School Teacher and purchased the XXL model for use in our introductory tech classroom. You're video's have been valuable to me. We're just about to introduce our students to CNC once we get all of the needed safety measures in place (Cabinet, Dust Extraction, Emergency shut off and interlock switches on the cabinet doors). I look forward to your future videos and if you have any suggestions for a fun intro project for teens I'd luv to hear it, Thanks, Robb
I'm looking forward to watching this series of videos. I have access to a large shopbot with a 4'x8' bed. I've done some basic stuff on it so far and I know there is so much more potential. I want to learn MORE! I found your channel today and I've started watching some of your videos. Since I'm home sick today... it's time to binge watch. See you in the next comment section.
Good point! Wood shops with memberships, Techshops (little pricey just to play around with a CNC), and local makerspaces are great resources to use to explore different techniques.
Hallo Winston... compliment on your great tutorials on CNC. I have a question....I'm using the same Makita Mill as you use on your CNC. How do you handel de fan Blowing of the Makita...as I see you have a clean work area when you mill a project.....mine looks really messy working on my projects? regards Goran
I usually use a dust shoe. If not, I come in every few minutes to vacuum up my table. Some people have 3D printed, or crafted little air deflectors that keep the router from blowing directly on the part.
I am learning the joys, and curses of cnc and just got into the 3d carving aspect that has lead to longer run times. I had been using a cheap shop vac for some time but it burned out on me tonight. Is there a brand that is better for longer run times?
I can't speak to all brands, but I bought a Fein vacuum for 2 reasons: 1) "By-pass cooling" design means the motor draws doesn't use the air from the hose to cool the motor, so even clogged hoses or dusty air won't reduce thermal performance. 2) It's waaaaaay quieter than most other vacuums, except for the Festool. Not cheap, but cheaper than the festool. There's a site that has comparisions of like 10 vacuums, and the Fein was second best from an acoustic standpoint. When you have to listen to the thing for hours on end, that matters to me. Probably put like 100-200 hours on my unit and still going strong. I have small cyclone separator in-line with the hose. Affiliate link: amzn.to/2rHHkwy
For controlling it, Carbide Motion, though for a long while I used Universal Gcode Sender. For CAD/CAM, largely Fusion360, though I've used several other options as well.
I would like you to help me in the topic of the CNC I am interested in buying one but I have seen so many comparisons of the X Carve and Shapeoko 3 that I do not know what would be the right one for me. I have never used any. I am from Puerto Rico and here there is not much accessibility for them. thank you very much
Bottom line: X-Carve and Shapeoko both do the same things. They cut 2D or 3D objects. Software included is a little different, personal preference may sway you one way or another. Easel program is cloud based, Carbide Create is local. Hardware wise, I think Shapeoko is slightly stronger. That's really about it. It's not like one is twice as good as the other, the differences are pretty minor. I would personally lean towards Shapeoko, but I would never tell someone to not buy the X-Carve, because plenty of people make great things with it too. Price (Including shipping) is a consideration too if you're on a budget.
Winston Moy Regarding 3D carbide programs is more complicated than Easel or is it just my impression? Or a person who has never worked at all would be easy to learn. thank you thank you very much
They should be about the same. There are plenty of tutorials out there for both. Have you seen my third intro to CNC video? It should be pretty clear what steps you need to go through in order to use the program.
This is like a video for heart surgeons on what heart surgery is. Totally misses the mark for beginners. Start by showing WHAT a CNC is capable of (eg. the finished product) THEN talk about the process in SIMPLE terms, THEN (optionally) talk about some of the pitfalls, learning curve, etc.
Winston,
Your earlier videos have convinced me to pull the trigger and buy a Shapeoko a couple of months ago. I have never regretted the purchase and learn something new every day I us it. I am looking forward to what you have in store for everyone.
Winston,
I've been on the fence about getting a cnc for a little while. You definitely are making me feel better about diving in and getting one. All of your videos are helpful and thank you for posting them!
i was in the same boat as you and I finally got mine fully assembled about three weeks ago. Without hesitation I say buy/make one. The INSTANT you complete your first job you'll be hooked
I was in the same boat as well. I am not going to lie the initial setup and structure and workflow was insanely frustrating for me as I am the type that I want to understand everything. I still have a lot to learn but I am definitely cranking out some products and I am really happy about that. And I managed to build a pretty sweet sound proofing box for the whole thing.
I took the dive and ordered one shortly after I posted this. Got it up and running. There were a few bugs that required a new control board from Carbide, but they got it to me almost overnight from the other side of the country. I can't say enough good things about the support from them. Also, I am doing my best to watch videos and try to learn where not to make mistakes but -- it happens! Savant PCs, did you do a custom job or download plans somewhere for your box?
Winston, This series looks like it will be good. I've been playing with my own DIY CNC for a couple years, but it's always good to see things through another person's eyes. Thank you for all your videos.
Winston, you young man are a genius in the world of CNC. I am approaching the opportunity to finally gets my hands into the art of CNC sign making. I designed signs for over twelve years and have always wanted to make carved signs and I just recently met a guy that has a Shapeoko 3 XL and wants to partner with me to start a sign business. I have randomly viewed some of your videos prior to finding your beginner series and I am looking forward to learning from you. At 62 years old, I have a lot of experience of working with machinery in both operating and repair of many types of things so I am looking forward to this new challenge and adventure. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience with us. Also, you have another subscriber.
I always love hearing about people from all different backgrounds working up the courage to add a new skill to their arsenal. Good luck on the new venture!
Thanks Winston for this Intro series. Bring it on!!
Awesome! Glad to see you are doing a series on this topic. I get asked a lot of questions about CNCs and it will be nice to point them your way. Keep up the good work!
I remember coming across your channel when I was first figuring out how to use the moderately expensive machine I bought. So I think this a fantastic idea for a series.
Good luck with this series! Big fan of your content.
Winston, thank you for this series. Highly educational.
Really looking forward to your series. Thanks for doing it.
Nice start to a welcome series. Thanks!
Can't wait for the next episode in this series!
Thank you Winston! I look forward to this series.
Looking forward to this series.
"I wonder what tape that is" was my first thought about this video lol :) Looking forward to this series Winston!
I love it! You have a knack for this you really do.
I'm finding CNC machining very interesting,but it is like learning a new programming language. There's a chicken and egg phase where you need to learn some things before you really start seeing the problems you can solve, but you will also see problems that you haven't yet learned to solve.
With the proliferation of maker spaces, I think if one wants to try things out, one might be able to limit the investment investment to materials and bits.
Looking forward to future episodes of this series!
Hi Winston,
I've been a fan of you're video's for the past year. I'm a High School Teacher and purchased the XXL model for use in our introductory tech classroom. You're video's have been valuable to me. We're just about to introduce our students to CNC once we get all of the needed safety measures in place (Cabinet, Dust Extraction, Emergency shut off and interlock switches on the cabinet doors).
I look forward to your future videos and if you have any suggestions for a fun intro project for teens I'd luv to hear it,
Thanks,
Robb
I'm looking forward to watching this series of videos. I have access to a large shopbot with a 4'x8' bed. I've done some basic stuff on it so far and I know there is so much more potential. I want to learn MORE! I found your channel today and I've started watching some of your videos. Since I'm home sick today... it's time to binge watch. See you in the next comment section.
nice series, can't wait for more!
Well done Winston! Looking forward to more.
Looking forward to this! 😀👍
Great videos on CNC. Looking forward to watch more from this series.
Nice I am in that boat of wanting to get into CNC milling but the price, and daunting task of assembly
Nice work Winston.
cant wait!
Just got here,awesome subbed
If buying one is too much of a cost, some cities have woodworking guilds with a bunch of good equipment. the monthly fees are usually pretty decent.
Good point! Wood shops with memberships, Techshops (little pricey just to play around with a CNC), and local makerspaces are great resources to use to explore different techniques.
Hallo Winston...
compliment on your great tutorials on CNC.
I have a question....I'm using the same Makita Mill as you use on your CNC.
How do you handel de fan Blowing of the Makita...as I see you have a clean work area when you mill a project.....mine looks really messy working on my projects?
regards Goran
I usually use a dust shoe. If not, I come in every few minutes to vacuum up my table. Some people have 3D printed, or crafted little air deflectors that keep the router from blowing directly on the part.
I am learning the joys, and curses of cnc and just got into the 3d carving aspect that has lead to longer run times. I had been using a cheap shop vac for some time but it burned out on me tonight. Is there a brand that is better for longer run times?
I can't speak to all brands, but I bought a Fein vacuum for 2 reasons:
1) "By-pass cooling" design means the motor draws doesn't use the air from the hose to cool the motor, so even clogged hoses or dusty air won't reduce thermal performance.
2) It's waaaaaay quieter than most other vacuums, except for the Festool. Not cheap, but cheaper than the festool.
There's a site that has comparisions of like 10 vacuums, and the Fein was second best from an acoustic standpoint. When you have to listen to the thing for hours on end, that matters to me. Probably put like 100-200 hours on my unit and still going strong. I have small cyclone separator in-line with the hose.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/2rHHkwy
What software are you using for your CNC?
Steve
For controlling it, Carbide Motion, though for a long while I used Universal Gcode Sender. For CAD/CAM, largely Fusion360, though I've used several other options as well.
I have A questions About your Dewalt router.... what for adaptor of bit do you use and where can i buy it? Thx
www.elairecorp.com/routercollets.html
I would like you to help me in the topic of the CNC I am interested in buying one but I have seen so many comparisons of the X Carve and Shapeoko 3 that I do not know what would be the right one for me. I have never used any. I am from Puerto Rico and here there is not much accessibility for them. thank you very much
Bottom line: X-Carve and Shapeoko both do the same things. They cut 2D or 3D objects. Software included is a little different, personal preference may sway you one way or another. Easel program is cloud based, Carbide Create is local. Hardware wise, I think Shapeoko is slightly stronger.
That's really about it. It's not like one is twice as good as the other, the differences are pretty minor. I would personally lean towards Shapeoko, but I would never tell someone to not buy the X-Carve, because plenty of people make great things with it too. Price (Including shipping) is a consideration too if you're on a budget.
Winston Moy Regarding 3D carbide programs is more complicated than Easel or is it just my impression? Or a person who has never worked at all would be easy to learn. thank you thank you very much
They should be about the same. There are plenty of tutorials out there for both. Have you seen my third intro to CNC video? It should be pretty clear what steps you need to go through in order to use the program.
how much is the clean cutting area of the Shapeoko 3XXL ?
33x33”
2:09 or you crash the machine of your company and you need to get a new spindle (42.000€). thats what happened to one of our employees
This is like a video for heart surgeons on what heart surgery is. Totally misses the mark for beginners. Start by showing WHAT a CNC is capable of (eg. the finished product) THEN talk about the process in SIMPLE terms, THEN (optionally) talk about some of the pitfalls, learning curve, etc.