Brand new - What to purchase

[al210 (Allen)]

Hello everyone.
I’ve been reading and watching videos on hobby cnc machines. Its been a little overwhelming with machine cost a low as several hundred dollars. I pretty much decided on the 5 Pro since I’m looking for the best turnkey solution. Just getting it for fun projects right now not knowing where it will lead down the road.

Other than what comes with the machine, what are your suggestions for other things I’ll need to pickup to get started. I basically just have the shop, workbench and computer.

What about the VFD upgrade kit?

Thanks

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

We are having this discussion right now, see:

Advice On What To Buy

Hello I am planning on buying a 4’x4’ Shapeoko 5 Pro in the next few weeks. My son and I are planning on making a business with this. I want to buy and have on hand everything I need to make the machine as efficient as possible. So far, I have on my purchase list; 5 Pro CNC VFD spindle kit End mill starter pack Bitzero V2 Get a grip workholding kit Mcfly surfacing cutter Is there anything any of you would change or add to my purchase list?

The VFD is awesome — if it suits your budget and the work you wish to do — it’s a bit more expensive than a trim router.

What do you consider a fun project? What materials? How do you wish to approach them?

[al210 (Allen)]

I’ll probably start out with simple projects such as signs and trays out of wood. Easy non complicated stuff at 1st as I have no experience.

I saw a cool looking flag made out of MDF with stars, stripes and engraving that looked cool.

[cnackers (Chris Nackers)]

Once you get a CNC, you will have plenty of things to pick from

Check that other thread, some good stuff in there. Also tons of videos online showing how to use the various software available and things to look out for on the CNC, and this community is great as well.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

See:

Creating designs from elements

If one has a design idea one wants to make, usually it can be shown / mocked up as a pixel image, and put together using some basic elements. For example: [image2] All one should need for that is a portion of a U.S. flag, and the Marine Corps seal — fortunately, both are easily sourced on Wikimedia Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Seal_of_the_United_States_Marine_Corps.svg

[WardGross]

This summer I purchased the 4x4 5Pro with the VFD upgrade. Hands down super happy with it. It’s all been very solid and reliable. I knew nothing about CNC before this summer and I still have a TON to learn, but it has been a very fun process on a great machine. I also upgraded to Carbide Create pro and so far it’s taken care of almost all my needs.