Is bitzero needed if you build a fence? Won’t the fence mean your X & Y zero points are always in the same place using square or rectangular stock?
Getting ready to order my first cnc and wondering if should spend the extra money right away or see how it goes without it.
No.
We have many customers who install such a fence and then set up a file to trim it to match a particular zero and then never change the zero.
The BitZero is useful for folks who:
Thanks for the quick reply. Excited to get started and learn the cnc but also trying so save money / spend wisely.
If you decide to build an L shaped fence be sure that in the corner there is relief. If you just butt two pieces of mdf, wood, or whatever together at the corner it is a place that will collect dust and can potentially hold your material off from the corner. Plus if you want you can put some relief on the top of the fence so you can still put the BitZero on if you want.
This was an earlier version of an L bracket (fence) and I relieved the corner and put a recess in to put my BitZero inside. With this setup there is a minimum thicknes of material that can be measured. That minimum thickness would depend on how deep you made the recesses for the BitZero.
I was all jittery when I was shopping for my CNC too. In the end I just placed the order and started using my machine as much as possible. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a bitzero, but haven’t felt the lack of one holding me back.
Just start cutting, like Gandhi said “Less talk, more rock!”
You didn’t mention which machine you are buying. I have a BitZero V1 for a 4\Pro machine that I would be happy to send to anyone for the cost of shipping.
I recently bought a V2 and don’t need it anymore.
I have an SO3 with BitZero v1. Since you have used both which one do you like using best? I dont think I will be trading in my v1 for a v2 but wanted to ask since you have used both.
I like the V2 a bit better. It is faster because the XY movements are confined to that small pocket.
Also, several times I had material positioned nearly on the left edge of the cutting envelope and there was not enough room for the X axis shift left before coming in to touch the side of the BitZero so I lost a couple of steps and had to reposition the material and start over.
On the other hand, the V1 pushes toward the material in both X and Y but the V2 hits the left and right and then the top and bottom of that pocket. So, the V2 seems to have a tendency to move the BitZero slightly. I hold it in place.
Both are functional, but V2 seems a little quicker to me. I guess that saving 15 seconds on a job that runs 30+ minutes shouldn’t matter so much.
Yeah I have been using a fence since I bought my machine. Makes it quicker for overall setup. I just do the paper method for the z axis zero when I swap materials now.
However, I do use my bitzero when I am doing a job with a chamfer jig I made previously. Helps ensure I’m not .5mm off and wreck my parts. For standard jobs, it’s totally fine to use the fence only, as I build in 4mm of clearance all around any parts I’m cutting.
I ordered the 4 which showed up today. I haven’t quite finished the table for it yet. Hoping to assemble the CNC early next week.
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