I’m ultra new to all of this. So new in fact I haven’t even started assembling my new S3 std. I am nearing completion of its enclosure and dust management solutions. I don’t have enough extra cash to throw at all the accessories at this time so I thought I would ask which the community feels are the most essential. I am looking at the BitRunner, BitZero and BitSetter. I feel like using the BitRunner would be nice, not so much to turn the spindle on but rather turn it off when the job is complete. The BitZero seems nice but I guess you can always do that manually with a piece of paper? And then the BitSetter. Seems great of you have gcodes with different tool paths but I’m not sure that is something I’ll need initially. So I kind of spelled out my order as I see it. BitRunner->BitZero->BitSetter.
Another question on the BitRunner. Any way you can hook your vacuum and spindle to that output power so it turns them both on and off together?
I’d really appreciate and welcome and thoughts on that as well as any other things some might initially suggest when starting out.
For my first real project I plan to tackle creating a good secondary wasteboard with threaded inserts after.
The place for the machine to live and dust extraction are, in my opinion, the main essentials.
The bitzero helps set accurate zero, but depending on the work you’re doing is how accurately you will need to zero. It’s a nice tool and I use mine a lot.
The bitsetter and bitrunner I’d wait until you find out what bugs you most in your workflows.
I’d say the best place to spend your money now is on clamping, cutters and stock to learn what you’re making and how you’re making it.
outside of dust collection, for me by far the best thing I got has been the bitsetter.
bitzero I don’t use at all; bitrunner is nice but optional… while bitsetter is a real game changer in what I was able to do in designs… it liberated me from feeling that I had to use the same bit more etc.
There’s a wonderful synergy to having the trifecta.
Which you prioritize depends on what sort of work you do and how you approach it:
BitZero — this is wonderfully precise and is essential if you do work which requires precisely locating the origin relative to rectangular stock
BitSetter — a wonderful convenience if you do a lot of work which requires multiple tool changes — if you frequently do jobs w/ a single tool, or if your work on the machine is sporadic and in fits, then can actually be liability (but it does work well w/ the BitZero v2’s Probing Pins)
BitRunner — probably my favourite, it’s great to have the automation — if you have a vacuum which will power your tool such as a Festool (I use a CT Midi) it allows on/off of both — it might work to plug say both a vacuum and a tool into a power strip and plug that into a BitRunner — check the docs and w/ someone at support who understands electronics.
For me, if money were your limiting factor and you had to get one of the three (BitRunner, BitZero, BitSetter) I would lean towards the BitSetter because with it, you only have to zero to your stock one time regardless of how many different bits you use.
If you get the BitZero, you will be able to zero to your stock easily, but then have to keep going and manually zeroing to the stock surface with each bit change. With the BitSetter, it is all automatically done for you.
For years, I used a set of brass feeler gauges to set my zero, and the BitZero just made things faster. Then the BitSetter made things faster and simpler. I would start with just learning the machine first. Read the forums, make (non-damaging) mistakes, learn from them and then buy things to make your work flow easier / faster / more convenient.
I’m uncomfortably familiar with most of these products.
Seriously though thanks a ton y’all. Lots of good info. Basically get it all!
I think I’ll start with the BitRunner and hook both the router and vac into it. I like the idea of it being able to flip those off at the end of a job automatically. I also think I may go for some of those clamps. They look really sturdy. I’ve printed some others out of a carbon/poly material that are pretty rigid but likely not so hard that they’ll be as damaging if/when I run the bit into them.
Maybe I’ll try to finish this enclosure up and get its home all dialed in, make a few little things and then complete the secondary wasteboard and then decide on the next accessory. I’m all about making this as easy and clean as possible.
Good workholding is SERIOUSLY underrated in my opinion. I have literally picked up my XXL with a 2x4 clamped on the bed. And my XXL is heavy due to an extrusion bed and HDZ.
When my wife asked why I needed another tool/hobby and what I intended to make with it I really had no adequate answer. I think I’ll start with new tap handles for her. That’ll likely go over better than “rocket parts” and “all kids of stuff” which were my first answers that received eyerolls.
How about just buying more bits to experiment with?
I have the extra accessories but ignore my BitZero and just use the tissue paper gauge as an exercise of simplicity.
After trying all kinds of hold downs, my favorite is wide painter’s tape on an MDF waste board. I hot glue around the perimeter of the wood or aluminum that I need to mill for a secure grip.
Just paint rubbing alcohol onto the hot glue to release the hot glue/painter’s tape and the finished product will pop off.
Easy peasy . . . this is not Tool And Die Shop