First cuts tomorrow!

[smittywhodat (Austin Smith)]

Just got my pro xxl set up, initialized, and all ready to go. Made a simple Saints logo to start with tomorrow. And then into some more detailed projects. Any tips or tricks you wish you would have known at the beginning? Thanks in advance!

[Julien]

Hi @smittywhodat,

Welcome to the club!
Is this your first CNC ?

The most useful tip that saved me more than a few times is double-checking the Gcode file, in a Gcode viewer (I tend to use the online tool ncviewer.com). Visualizing the gcode file you are about to run allows one to check in a few seconds that:

• this is the right file (you’ll mix them up eventually, we all do)
• the zero reference is where you think you set it (which of course will need to match where you actually set it on the machine/stock)
  • typically, bottom left corner or center, it’s easy to forget
  • and whether it’s set at stock top or stock bottom (erroneous cutting depth with occur if you don’t match the setting in the file and where you actually set Z zero)
• the number of depth passes looks right

The second tip since you have a Pro with a BitSetter is to only ever change the tool when prompted OR explicitly using the load new tool button in Carbide Motion, because if you inadvertently swap the tool “without telling CM”, bad things will happen (incorrect cutting depth, and no one likes to bury their tool deep into the stock/wasteboard)

Also, dust collection, you need it (unless you like your shop and lungs covered with a thin layer of wood dust ). This usually means getting a cyclone dust separator (a cheap clone will do) to hook up somewhere between your shopvac and the Sweepy

Finally, I’ll leave this here in case it’s useful to you:

Introduction

[smittywhodat (Austin Smith)]

Thanks Julien!

This is my first personal cnc, I’ve used smaller ones when I was in college but not very in depth.

I just got my dc and cyclone set up yesterday(not pictured) and made some simple designs and toolpaths. I’m going to cut those today and will report back, good or bad haha

Again thanks for the responses!

[Sawdust (Rob)]

@Julien

The second tip since you have a Pro with a BitSetter is to only ever change the tool when prompted OR explicitly using the load new tool button in Carbide Motion, because if you inadvertently swap the tool “without telling CM”, bad things will happen (incorrect cutting depth, and no one likes to bury their tool deep into the stock/wasteboard)

This is great advice. Ask me how I know… I suggest you make your first run as a test cut, on material you can live without, in case there is an “oops” in your workflow routine.