Hey all. I just received my Shapeoko 4 xxl and wanted to introduce myself. I’m an old man (60) , musician, part time martial arts instructor, part time luthier. Looking forward to learning from all of you and seeing your projects. I bought my Shapeoko for guitar building, and whatever else I decide to make. Just finished assembly, looks like this will be an interesting journey.
15 Likes
Welcome,
One old man to another. 64 winters so far.
Have fun with you machine. We are here to help as you experience it.
Remember when you started making instruments, there are no dumb questions, just processes you are unfamiliar with.
Good luck
Randall:
I bought my SO3 XL at the ripe old age of 71. No prior experience. Welcome to the world of CNC. It is a challenging and rewarding space. Walk away for a bit when the inevitable frustration rears its head. Then return and get a big head when things come together. Rinse & Repeat.
Bill
5 Likes
Kids say the Dar fest things. Ever close to 80 and having fun most of the time.
Phil
@duckracer Welcome to the club! Another 60+'r here as well.
How satisfied you’ll be with your investment will depend a lot on how comfortable you are with trial-and-error learning. I had a lot of frustrations until I realized that no one was going to tell me how to make the machine work - you were going to pick up techniques from your friends here in the forum, but the rest is a lot of observation and adjustment.
A word of warning: It’s not like your bandsaw…it’s more like a slot machine…everything comes together perfectly once in a while - but there are a lot of things in play and something is often awry - your mission is to try to mitigate your risks, adjust, compensate, and learn. Then things are amazing.
For me, this forum was an invaluable reference…the folks here are skilled and knowledgeable. Ask, and someone here will know how to do it - or they’ll experiment until they get it for you.
Enjoy!
- Gary
2 Likes
As I’ve noted before:
The great thing about CNC is that given a properly prepared file, a machine set up which matches the file, and nothing going wrong in the cutting, a part will be made correctly.
The awful thing about CNC is that a part will only be made correctly if the file is prepared properly, the machine setup to match the file, and nothing goes wrong in the cutting.
To a big degree, designing parts so that they can be simply and reliably cut, minimizing the number of setups and operations, and controlling cutting forces is one reliable avenue towards success.
1 Like
Welcome Randall,
Another 64 year old here.
This forum has fantastic members very willing to help answer any and all question from project setup to finish work. Take a little time to go over the basics and when you get started you’ll find the only limits will be you imagination.
Enjoy!
1 Like
Welcome to the community!
I don’t consider myself as old (67 this month), just getting mature. Although my wife may disagree with the maturity thing.
Ex musician, ex martial arts student and the only instrument I have created was in my younger days (just yesterday) is taking a cardboard box and beating on it like a drum. 
I look forward to seeing what you create on your Shapeoko.
Another 60 year old here. Just started with CNC this year. Learning and enjoying it. I have no regrets and it seems like you are approaching this with the right attitude, I have made a lot of progress with the assistance of the community here and the excellent support from Carbide 3D. I am looking forward to seeing what you decide to so with this awesome tool.
1 Like
I’m the spring chicken at 59. Had my fair share of frustration. There is some good advice here, when you get frustrated just walk away and when you come back you will find that you will see the error. Like me and photography. When I’m out for a client and get home, edit the pictures and they just don’t look to be quite right, I walk away and on return I can typically see the error. Slowly it will fall into place. It has been 4 months for me. There are many people here that will help you and honestly Carbide Create support is the best you will ever get.
Jeremy
66 here, just got mine earlier this year. It is a lot of learning, some frustration and head scratching but really a lot of fun when it all comes together. As everyone else has said walk away when it is too frustrating and it will be clearer when you come back to it. Enjoy the forum, there are a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people on here.
I really like how everyone is so nice here in the community.
I am also surprised at how many mature members we have here.
Welcome to all new to the community as well as all you old timers. This is a great place to get answers as well as ideas for projects.
2 Likes
Whohooo ! Just did my first project tonight. Made a simple name sign for the girlfriends horse stall. Came out great, and scored brownie points with her! Of course I also now have a little rout spot on the left rear corner of the bed. Teach me to save the changes when setting zero…DOH!!
2 Likes
Good to hear us old (older) guys (63) are still kicking projects out. I received my Pro XXL today, about 20 minutes ago. I have had an X-Carve for a couple of years and sat on the fence for the Shapeoko for about 6 months before I pulled the trigger and purchased. So…here goes !! I hope it was the right choice, for I think i have read most reviews for the last 6 months… Enjoy your machine !!
1 Like
Good luck Chris. Remember we are here to help or chide
You’re far from the only old fart here. Welcome! 
First tip from one beginner to another: Always cut your objects in foam board, first, and you’ll lose far fewer bits! CNC is all about speeds and feeds, and once you start going to harder materials it gets more and more challenging, but foam is your friend!
1 Like
Just turned 80 I have done 7 guitar bodies and 4 necks on a 3xxl. There is a lot to learn
4 Likes
Hi Randall and Welcome to the Family,
Check out the work of Mark Gutierrez. He owns a Shapeoko 3 and does outstanding guitar work. I think you’ll enjoy his content.
We have an interview with Mark, on The Makers Garage (Our podcast), coming out later this week.
2 Likes
Cool. I’ll check him out. Thanks.
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.