Will I noticed you said a smallish table what size is it as I am going to build one I’m totally in the dark building is no problem just don’t want it to small
The best thing to do is to use the Footprint specification.
e.g., if getting an SO5 Pro:
https://carbide3d.com/shapeoko/shapeoko5pro-specs/
4x4
Machine Footprint 60 in(X) x 59 in(Y) x 21 in(Z)
Then you want a table which is at least that size.
Larger is better for some folks — depends on how you wish to work — you will need:
- room for a computer/keyboard/mouse (or maybe a touchscreen tablet) — some folks use a mounted arm
- space for storing/accessing collets, nuts, endmills and the associate tools
- space for storing/accessing workholding and associated tools
- space to prepare stock for cutting
- space to post-process stock after cutting
My recommendation is for folks to start with Carbide Create, draw up a project, plan out toolpaths and which tools and workholding will be needed, then walk through the motions of selecting and securing stock, visualize how you would set zero relative to it and interact with the computer while doing so, then what you would do with the cut part and stock after.
I programmed a complete arm assembly that mounts to the side of the machine table and pivots 180 degrees to the table side. It also has two other arms to it where a computer monitor can be mounted and the other allows one to rest the keyboard on. If someone is using just a laptop computer, then you just sit the laptop on the keyboard arm and work from there.
The assembly has three pivotal points where the two arms can be adjusted some, (monitor arm forward and backwards), (the keyboard arm up and down), and the whole assembly can be adjusted at the mounting arm to the table.
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