Note that the BitZero usually only makes sense for folks who are doing metalwork, working w/ plastic in precise blocks, or working with S4S wood — if you’re using rough-cut lumber it may not be useful for your needs.
I’m becoming won over by:
so if you are working with thin stock and projects suited to it, may want to consider that option.
And I really like the convenience of:
when doing work w/ various thickness stock or varied or challenging setups.
Do you have other tools? What sort of business are you going to be doing?
Frequent recommendations:
- eye and hearing protection: https://docs.carbide3d.com/shapeoko-faq/safety-gear-and-necessary-precautions-when-using-the-machine/
- Additional assembly tools: Flush cut pliers (or scissors — fingernail clippers can also be used to cut a short zip tie with a nicely rounded edge), Needle nose pliers, Tape measure or ruler, Level, Pencil; possibly also Easy-peel masking tape, such as blue painter’s tape (nothing that leaves a residue behind), Adjustable wrench, Flashlight — some kind of ratcheting tool, my favourite is: https://silca.cc/products/t-ratchet-ti-torque-kit-2nd-generation
- better quality wrenches for tool changes
- 13mm — note that this must be low profile.
- Amazon.com
- Bicycle cone wrenches work as well such as the 13mm Park Tool PT-09 Shop Cone Wrench
- Asahi low profile 11/13mm wrench
- McMaster-Carr Tight-Clearance Open-End Wrench with Black Finish, 13 mm Size, 4" Overall Length (sourced from Martin as of mid-2020)
- 22mm — a stubby wrench is well-suited for this, and handier due to the low torque requirements
- 13mm — note that this must be low profile.
- a track saw — if you need to break down sheet goods (though arguably, not as important these days w/ a 4x4 which can swallow an entire sheet width and tile cut
- a hand saw — if buying lumber w/o a truck, makes it possible to break down lumber in the store parking lot to fit in a smaller vehicle
- calipers — if doing precise metalwork, micrometers
- downcut endmills such as our #251 .25" Downcut Flat Cutter (Qty 2) - Carbide 3D
- If you wish to do small-scale or precision work a 1/8" downcut endmill and maybe a 30 degree V endmill (see the Amana packs at: Cutters - Carbide 3D )
- pendant option of some sort
- a game controller can be used: Using a Game Controller with CM513 and later
- the standard keyboard shortcuts allow a numeric keypad to be used as a pendant
- by remapping one can use a gamepad: A different sort of pendant
- good quality square for assembly or positioning parts
- tools to post-process stock (files, deburring tools, &c.)
If you’ll let us know the background you are coming from, and the specifics of what sort of work you wish to do and how you wish to approach it we can better advise.
One addition/further consideration — 8mm collet and matching tooling — jury is still out on that, but if doing larger-scale work, that my pay dividends.