So, I started putting together my 5.1 Pro 4x4 today. And I just wanna say, whoever said it only takes an hour to an hour and a half to assemble this machine is a LIAR 
. It IS very easy to assemble for the most part, but it definitely takes longer than an hour. I do have to give credit where credit is due though. They have paid a ton of attention to all the little details. I’m absolutely blown away by how absolutely rock solid this thing is. I am about 90% done now. The machine itself is all assembled, the drag chains are all in place and screwed down, harnesses are all installed and connected. Im basically down to just cable routing, mounting the electronics and stop button and mounting the 65 mm VFD. My back just couldn’t take anymore of being on my feet and being half bent over. Lol. I will wrap it up tomorrow after work. Cheers everyone.
As a follow up, I did not finish putting it together. I wrapped up the cable management stuff and discovered that the bitsetter did not ship with everything else. I guess there was a supply shortage. Either way they were very friendly and one is being overnighted to me now. Hopefully will be carving wood tomorrow evening. Which brings about another question. I have seen some folks talk about needing to shim the spindle to het it plumb, and others have mentioned the gantry being slightly out of sync from left to right. I do know my Y rails are square to within a 32nd. What are the odds that this thing will just cut straight right out of the gate?
The odds on cutting square are quite good — most do, depending of course on one’s definition of “square” — for one approach on that see:
That is an excellent resource. I will program a that 90° angle now, so when the machine is finished being put together that can be my first test cut. Also, that was a really fast response. Thank you so much! Glad this forum is here. I have been so excited about this machine, and I cannot tell you how many times I have been gushing about getting it to someone, when suddenly their eyes glaze over. Haha. Turns out, most people aren’t interested in talking about CNCs. However, I suspect when some of those people see this thing in action they will get it.
Cheers!
Being able to show a project made on a machine makes a big difference when talking to most folks.
What sort of projects do you plan to make?
Using what materials?
Approaching in what way in terms of CAD?
I’d like to start with cuttingboards and signs at first. Then maybe build up those skills by getting into inlays and more complex features. Then I would like to eventually replace my front door by building a solid wood door and carving an artistic 3D relief on the exterior side using indexing (I have a 4x4). If that goes well, I have some folks who said that they would be happy to bring some work my way. Also considering doing kitchen “facelifts” by doing a similar process to make solid wood 3D relief cabinet doors.
As far as materials, well wood obviously. Although I have a keen interest in machining aluminum, depending on how far I can push the Shapoko. Mainly motorcycle parts.
So far I am just focusing on using Create Pro and will soon get the 3D relief software. I am sure I will probably look to other software as my needs grow. But for now I want to learn to fully exploit Create.
For the door see:
For aluminum automotive parts, the classic post is:
Both of those are very helpful. That aluminum thread is amazing. I will be foing fown that rabbit hole for sure. Thank you again!
I will note that while the adaptive/trochoidal toolpath strategy is incredibly enabling, I’ve had good luck with single-flute tooling and the defaults in Carbide Create, for more on this see the #materialmonday series:
This is probably not the best way to begin a conversation.
Just saying…
It made excellent clickbait though…
Totally meant in a lighthearted way. 
Well, it lives! First cut coming later this evening.
2 posts were split to a new topic: Test cut and lesson learned (and new topic)
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