Byrne,
At one time there were a couple manufacturers that were making it 1/4" thick where the counter top manufacturer would laminate it to particle board. But they were having too many warranty claims so they stopped making 1/4" about 25 years ago. I have run it through a drum sander but not to remove 3/4 of the material. I don’t think that will work. Remember, its a form of plastic (acrylic) so running the right feed is critical. I have done projects where I have used the CNC to bring it down to 1/4" and i suspect you could get it to 1/8" if you can find a way to hold it. Just remember it is easy to break, whether due to dropping it or I have seen it crack due to thermal stress. Being that thin might aggravate this possibility.
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Hi, my name is Mark and I live in the Cincinnati OH metro area (just inside 275 on the Northeast side). I am mid-50s and have had several hobbies over the years. I had a Bambu Lab x1C, an XTool Laser (forget which model), and actually had a Shapeoko 4 (17x17) along with router table, table saw, and several other “toys” in mid-spring 2023. I never got into my Shapeoko then because of too many hobbies and still a full time job (I’m a 30 year IT guy but haven’t “touched the keyboard” in well over 15 years, been in IT Leadership). Then in early August 2023 we had a devastating fire (over $700k damage in structure and contents, structure was not a total loss but was gutted to studs and over half roof replaced). The fire gave us a “clean” start with basically nothing to our name. We also moved from Kansas City metro where the fire happened to Cincinnati OH. Up until last month I had resisted the urge to get into a hobby but after a conversation with my wife of almost 24 years, we agreed I need to pick one hobby and get going again. And so now I have a Shapeoko 5 Pro 4x2 with every bell and whistle possible. Just put it together last Thursday and added my spindle yesterday (came separately) and my gas strut today. Have already started playing and really enjoying having this hobby again. And 2 closing bits if I may: First, I chose to go back into CNC vs other choices because of the customer service I got in 2023. Second, this weekend when I used a Makita temporarily and made mistakes, Carbide 3d honored their 60 days on us policy and overnighted multiple pieces that I messed up for the machine. Lastly, this time I went with an adjustable height workbench from big box hardware store and love having my machine at standing height versus constantly leaning over. That’s enough for now, mv
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Brand New to this CNC World. Pretty excited but intimidated as well. Gosh there’s a lot of engineers and fabricating history here on the intros. But I’m a creative and excited to learn a new skill. Will be watching the community for ideas and help as I go along. Looking forward to it.
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Welcome to the Shapeoko community! You have joined a great group of people here who love what they do with their machines and get just as much enjoyment from helping others.
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Hi I’m Ed Aguilar from El Paso, Tx. I just bought the shapeoko 5 pro 4x4.I have used a laser engraver and started to sell at markets. I’m having trouble getting it set up. I have some issues because my brain does not work efficiently due to a stroke. this is my therapy to rewire my brain and to keep me going. Its nice being part of this community.
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In addition to the official documentation at:
and Kevin and Winston’s nifty videos:
I wrote up some basic documentation which may be helpful at:
If you have some specific question, please ask and we will do our best to assist.
Note that there are various tutorials at:
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Hi everyone been lurking here for awhile I got my 5 pro about a year ago.
Isaac
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Hey Folks, I just purchased my first CNC Router. A previously loved Shapeoko 3XXL. I am a metal fabricator/welder, living in Ontario, Canada 
.
I do mostly automotive stuff, and my plan is to use it for milling aluminum parts.I plan to build a table for it this weekend and get it set up properly, Im stoked!
I have been doing lots of reserach and floating around the forums and youtube.
I just wanted to say Hello 
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Welcome to the forum! Lots of info here to help you out.
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Welcome to the group from a fellow Ontarian 
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Hi all,
Not a total CNC beginner but not far…we have an orignial 3 XXL and work with at job as a CAD designer. We are from Québec (province), Canada.
We use SO3 XXL for aluminium, wood and polymer thermoplastic parts and prog with solidworks add-in solidcam.
Nice to read you.
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Welcome to the forum, feel to ask for whatever help you need if any.
Howdy all, my name is Ben and I live in NW Pennsylvania. I’ve been working with CNC mills milling primarily aluminum, steel, G10 and carbon fiberfor 10+ years. Recently at my job I have moved from operator/shift lead to learning set up and soon programming. I decided now was the time to jump into buying a CNC of my own. I figured if I’m already learning it at work, why not start my own little business and keep learning on the side! I’m sure I’ll be posting here quite a bit as I figure out the ropes and drawing comparisons between carbide create and the little bit of Mastercam I have seen. Looking forward to what everyone is making and learning!
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You’re in a great place. This community…it’s awesome. Great great advice!! I know because I was recently in your shoes but with zero CNC experience and everyone here held my hand to get me to success. Almost feels like mentors here. Ask away and you will get excellent input.
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Hi, I’m still presales looking at the SO 5 Pro, with 65mm spindle (to stay with 110v). I’m recently retired and have made saw dust ever since junior high shop. This will be my first CNC Router.
My main questions are:
- what is a common dust collector that is used? would a remote be helpful?
- in building a table (2x4/MDF) should I take anything into consideration besides making it a little wider than the cnc unit’s width to accommodate setting a tool on the edge, etc? also, to help with noise reduction, is there any merit to adding a sheet of foam siding in between layers of mdf for the surface of table? I saw a reel of some guy doing that.
- also, are the clamp and bit sets good quality and recommended to get started?
- Shapeoko Endmill Starter Pack +$ 195.00
- Crush-lt Essential Clamp Set +$ 58.00
I’m looking forward to digging in an thanks in advance for the tips/suggestions.
Curt
- For a vacuum, the current hot ticket is the DeWalt Stealthsonic. Also see: Controlling a Vacuum with your Shapeoko
- I’m a big advocate for the foam — dampens noise/vibration and takes up any irregularities. You want: Space for machine, space for computer, space for tools and tooling incl. collets as well as the matching wrenches, space for clamps and so forth and associated tools, space to prep stock for cutting, space to post-process parts after cutting — one or more of those can be separate work surfaces/areas
- Yes, they are brilliant (but I work for the company)
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Dust - Dewalt stealthsonic vacuum and a backend cyclone
This works well and the noise from the vacuum is MUCH less.
The clamps and starter pack will get you going. Not a waste at all
Table should have diagonals to limit wobble. A comment was made that you could put the SP5 on a floating tube and it will work. It’s pretty stiff.
Add wheels and levelers.
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Note that for that we have:
Welcome to the forum.
I run a shop vac and a cyclone-style dust collector in a separate room next to the router, primarily to cut down on noise—the shop vac’s sound can get irritating over time. I control it remotely for added convenience.
I built a sturdy, stationary table in my shop since I have the space. It lets me index a 4’×8’ sheet for tiling, though I usually steer clear of it—wrestling 4’x8’ sheets alone is a challenge, especially when you’re not quite as nimble as you once were!
I’ve used Carbide 3D cutters and found them to be great quality. The Essentials cutters are a solid choice—more budget-friendly, so breaking one doesn’t hurt as much. 
As for the Crush-IT clamp set, I liked them so much that I bought extras! And yes, I’ve taken a bite out of a couple along the way—never lost a step or, more importantly, the work. Now I just have a few clamps with a little character!
If you haven’t come across it yet, check out the Shapeoko Jumpstart!
https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/jumpstart/
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Thank you William, Jim, & John. This helps and now I want to build my table before I order the SP5 so once I receive it I can proceed full steam ahead 
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