I’ve had my 3xl for a year and I haven’t used it. I’ve been neck deep in pen and wine bottle stopper production that it just wasn’t in the cards time wise. This year that’s going to change. I need some assistance.
I picked up some major Amazon cards and would love to spend that on some bits and other necessary items to learn. If possible, links to the right bits for learning how to make signs and such on Amazon would be great. I already have a couple sets, but I think I need some 1/4" bits just to learn with. I’m not too overly concerned with v bits yet. I figure I’ll learn more about basic sign making as I go.
Honestly, don’t just think bits…think wireless keyboards, whatever stuff I might need.
So who can point out what I need? And please use simple words…I’m just starting out. LOL
Additional assembly tools: Flush cut pliers (or scissors), Needle nose pliers, Tape measure or ruler, Level, Pencil; possibly also Easy-peel masking tape, such as blue painter’s tape (nothing that leaves a residue behind), Adjustable wrench, Flashlight
a trim router (you can order with a machine, but Carbide 3D only has our Carbide Compact Router, but if you prefer you could get a Dewalt DWP611 or Makita RT0701)
three 2-flute 1/4" straight endmills (such as the #201 endmills from Carbide 3D — one will be included with the machine, a pack of two will fill one out with: 1 for initial experimentation/roughing, 1 for finishing passes, and 1 spare
two 2-flute 1/4" ball end endmills (such as the #202 endmills from Carbide 3D) — if one wishes to do 3D modeling or cut parts which have rounded profiles along the bottom (often a good idea in woodworking for increased strength)
two 90 degree V-bits such as the #301 from Carbide 3D — if one wishes to do V-carving or cut joints which use this angle
five 2-flute 1/8" straight endmills (such as the #102 endmills from Carbide 3D
two 2-flute 1/8" ball end endmills (such as the #101 .125" Ball Cutters from Carbide 3D)
two smaller straight endmills (say 2 mm or so) (such as the #112 0.0625" endmills from Carbide 3D)
Additions:
V-carving bits (say 30 and 60 degrees) — these are excellent if doing text
you should already have a place to set the machine up (the Shapeoko is more suited for use in a shop environment) — note that you’ll want to have access to the front and back of the machine so that you can feed material in from end and out the other if working with oversized material (you can process an entire 4x8 sheet by cutting it into thirds and feeding it incrementally into an XL or XXL — an SO3 would require 1/6ths)
dust collection suited to the material which you are cutting (at least a shop vacuum — many of our customers rig up dust shoes and formal dust collection) — you’ll want to tie into existing dust collection if you have it — Carbide 3D doesn’t have a dust shoe at this time, but one is in development. Designing and making one has for a long while been a right of passage, but there are a number of commercial designs available
When @WillAdams replies with the perfect answer in under one minute…priceless
Have you seen the new Amana kits that Carbide 3D now sells ? https://shop.carbide3d.com/collections/cutters/amana
If I were shopping for bits to do signs, I would certainly consider them (I know you mentioned Amazon cards, but just in case)
Then beyond bits my priority order would be something like : #1 dust shoe/dust collection: mandatory #2 probe: optional but will simplify/speed up your workflow. #3 bitSetter: optional but will simplify/speed up your multi-tool jobs. #4 Advanced CAD/CAM software, eg. Vectric products (and/or Carbide Create Pro when that gets released for purchase). Once you get the hang of the CNC workflow (Carbide Create & Carbide Motion are perfect for that learning phase), and since you seem to be in this for the business, you will likely benefit from a “pro-grade” software suite.
I’m afraid none of that is available on Amazon though
get https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TXC45Z these are perfect for little details but still strong. For sign making, try to get as many of the bits you buy in the “downcut” models, they give much cleaner details
