Can i use non carbide 3d branded cutters ?
I have quite a few i bought many years back for a palm router, bit they are a bit smaller in length,
Im guessing i cant put a v bit in and just select the current toolpath, if its not carbide.
Many thanks
Luke
If the bits are basically like the C3D bits then use the C3D bit. You can also make a custom tool database and put the tools in that.
Do not use bearing type router bits in a CNC. The bearing can get caught up on things and are not supported.
To create a custom tool library you go to:
Open CC and go to Edit
Open Tools Database
On the lower left corner create New Library
Answer questions of
Material (Suggest separate library for wood, alum etc)
Machine: You can select Any or a custom name of your choosing
Library Name: Give it a unique name. Also give unique tool numbers for every tool and exclude existing tool numbers or CC will get confused.
When library is created right click on new library and select New Tool
Add parameters for new tool
If you want to further edit the tool then go to the menu and select the Help and About
When that menu opens Go to Data Directory
Go to Carbide Create directory and then Tools
Double click your custom library and it will open in a spreadsheet.
Enter or modify any fields you wish.
then Save As .csv file. Do not save in the spreadsheet format because CC cannot read spreadsheet files.
You are ready to use your new Library Click on an object and go to Tool Path. Select the the tool path and when the dialogue opens up select Edit tool and select the tool you want.
If you cannot find the new database listed then click on Edit Tool and then Click on the Machine and select the Machine you used to create the Library. The custom tool database should be there. Then just select the a tool you created.
You can also duplicate an existing tool database and create a custom database that you can edit each tool and save it for future use. You can put a single tool in multiple tool databases with different feeds and speeds.
If you know the brand and model of a particular tool be careful using the OEM feeds and speeds on a Shapeoko. Many times the feeds and speeds are fantastically aggressive and are likely based on industrial CNC machines and not on a hobby class of machine. Simply find an equivalent tool in the C3D tool database and copy those parameters as a starting point and modify the Feeds and Speeds to match your machine and material. You have to use trail and error to get a new tool dialed in. Tools that have no equivalent tool like bowl bits you have to just experiment until you find a good feed and speed. Many of the 3rd party unsupported bits have already had that wheel invented here on the forum.
Tapered ball end mills are not supported so if you have those enter the ball size and proceed from there. Simulations for unsupported bits will have simulation issues. That does not mean they wont work but CC does not understand them and will give strange results in a simulation. Just proceed with caution and keep your finger on the Stop button just in case.
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Thank you so much, that was a long and detailed response, i appreciate your time !
Do you know anything about vfd spindles, the machine i have purchased has a water cooled spindle, and i have absolutely no idea how to adjust speeds.
Im considering putting a palm router on insted as its just 1 to 6 !!!
There are a lot of VFD spindles out there and they all have different ways to set them up. Try the OEM site to get the setup of the spindle and here on the forum on how to wire the spindle.
In CC the tool defines the speed of the spindle and it is put into the C2d file and/or gcode file. So if the correct post processor is chosen then the VFD router should set the speed for you. You can look at the gcode (CC V6) with a text editor like NotePad. In CC V7 when you open a c2d file the preview is available and the last tab is gcode and you can parse the file for the gcode commands to set the spindle speed and see if the speed set in gcode is the same as displayed on the VFD readout.
If you have a C3D machine use that post processor to get the speed commands included in the gcode/c2d file. The C3D post processor can also enable the BitSetter function. If you have a 3rd party machine use the generic and/or gbrl post processor but the spindle speed commands are not present and you have to manually se the VFD speed.
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You have the skills to pay the bills! It all seems a bit foreign to me, but i will use your advise as reference and reserch where required.
THANK YOU 
Hoping the exsisting set up matches the g code speeds
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