I want a few opinions on the usefulness of the BitZero accessories from anyone that is using it. Do you like it? Does it speed up the process for you? Is it easy to use? It seems like a worthwhile accessory. Thank you for a few opinions!
Tom
The BitZero seems to work well for folks who:
- are doing metalwork
- are working with plastic
- are working with S4S wood
- need to do repetitive setups
Folks who use rough cut lumber and/or “just” do signs mostly don’t find a use for it in their workflows.
Thank you Will. I appreciate your input.
Tom
I have an SO3 XXL and have both BitSetter and BitZero. Those make your life much easier. Without the BitSetter you cannot do Advanced Vcarve on a Shapeoko machine. With the V7 CC they encrypt the gcode into the c2d file. If you use V6 CC you can still get individual gcode files but the advanced vcarve is still not capable without a BitSetter. The user fenrus had a github application that will take an advanced vcarve gcode and makes 2 gcode file. With v7 CC you have to purchase the pro version to get gcode files that are not part of the c2d file. Not sure if the fenrus application is still available but you could search the forum for the url.
I found the link to the fenrus github site to split advanced vcarve.
https://fenrus75.github.io/FenrusCNCtools/javascript/gcodesplit.html
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Guy,
Thank you for the response. The BitSetter comes with the machine I am ordering or I would certainly add it on. The BitZero I am not as certain about. Sounded like maybe not from my only other reply.
Im absorbing all I can before my machine arrives.
Tom
I use the BitZero on almost all of my projects.
Thank you Cullen. I appreciate knowing that. It looked useful to me from the description but I have never done CNC before. I dont want to buy an extra that isn’t used much. I have a tendency to buy the extras and learn later that some are not used very often.
Tom
If you are using non rectangular type stock most of the time it won’t be very useful. If you have a good corner to work from on the other hand it is great and saves time.
If you end up creating an L bracket you always orient your pieces to and you never move it then it isn’t that valuable as you rarely change your XY values.
So, as with everything… it depends.
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That makes sense. I saw one video where Kevin made a side piece that he trimmed with the machine after he mounted it, insuring it was square to the machine. Both great ideas.
Tom
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Yes, I did that as well to use as a fence. I also put threaded inserts in it so that I can attach clamps.
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Thank you. That is a GREAT idea!
Tom
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