New Nomad/SO3 owner - where to look for Nomad newbie info?

Howdy to all, as the title states I just (today) received my Nomad and 2 weeks ago my SO3, I am anxious to start making chips.

By way of introduction, I have some experience with CNC (own a post-KS Handibot - great machine but wrong form factor for me), have 30-some years of wood/metal working + much less manual machining experience. CAD design is not much of a problem, I have used V-Carve, SketchUp, and other packages. Have not spent much time under the hood with g-code but it is on my immediate projects list.

While in no way my “real job”, I do have a hobby/business where I designed some woodworking add-ons for Festool track saws (www.ripdogs.com), but everything is made by real machine shops, not myself. This is a sideline but it led me to want to be able to make better prototypes and hence provided the rational for the Nomad/SO3.

My primary question is where to locate some newbie how-to instructions for the Nomad? In particular how to use the Z-probe, the flip-jig, and any other start-from-scratch stuff that may be available. I am sure there is a ton of available information but my forum searching so far has not turned up much so I thought I would ask and introduce myself at the same time.

Looking forward to chatting with you all, and sharing some fun projects as well.

RMW

Welcome!

Please be aware that friable (“easily crumbled”) materials (e.g. wood, FR4, Garolite, Fiberglass, carbon composite) release particles which can be extremely damaging to your lungs and health. If you plan to use these materials, there are topics on the forums for machining a dust head, using a dust collector and separator and related items. I’ll be happy to help with this.

It sounds like you might already have a Fesool (I have a CT26). If so, a Oneida cyclone would be just perfect. You can get the one that mounts on top or a separate.

You can start here:

http://carbide3d.com/docs/tutorials

There are items on the Forums that can really help. Just ask, there is a good chance we can just point you to something.

My primary question is where to locate some newbie how-to instructions for the Nomad? In particular how to use the Z-probe, the flip-jig, and any other start-from-scratch stuff that may be available.

Z-probe? If I’m understanding you correctly, the Nomad doesn’t have one. One does touch top Z0 for the top of their spoiler board or stock (depending on what they are doing). The Nomad does have an automatic tool length function through.

Flip-jig? Start by learning this:

http://www.grzsoftware.com/features/twoside

Other goodies:

http://www.grzsoftware.com/blog/how-to/program-zero/

Carbide Create (CC) is similar to VCarvePro. You’ll feel at home with it. It’s new and expanding.

http://carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/video

If you’ve got VCarvePro, there is a post processor for the Nomad available.

mark