I am strongly considering buying the 5 Pro 2x4 since it is on sale for Labor Day. Besides the machine and the 65mm VDF, what else should I buy at the same time? I was looking at the BitZero, but it is out of stock right now.
How does everyone feel about the C3D clamps sets and their endmills?
I liked the Get a Grip Work holding kit that came with the 5 pro.
So I bought the Crush-It Essential Clamp Set in addition.
They have worked real good for me. 
I have several Carbide 3d end mills and vee bits and have no complaints.
I machine hardwood 99% of the time.
The end mills are cost competitive and they are in the database already. C3D makes good bits and they also support a bunch of the Amana bits.
I caution against the sets of bits. Maybe good Maybe bad. You get a lower price per bit in the bundles but if you never use some of the bits then the ones you do use are more expensive. I recommend you figure out what you want to make and get the bits as needed. That requires a little pre planning but it is the least expensive way to get your bits as you need them.
However the 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32" bits get used a lot by me. On the 1/4 I like both down and up cut bits depending on what is being cut. The SO5 cuts alum quite well so get yourself some coated bits if you are going to cut alum. Again depending on what you are going to make the engraving bits (Diamond Drag) are useful as well as the 60/90 vee bits and the 5xx engraving bits.
What to order depends on what you intend to work on. Right now you dont know what you dont know but the flat end mills and vee bits will take you pretty far and then the engraving bits maybe later and then maybe ball nose bits for 3d work. It is your money to spend but I am cheap by nature and like to get what I need or will actually use.
Non C3D related get some 1/8th inch or thicker rubber mats, if thinner than 1/2 inch do a layer between the machine and the table top and a layer between the table top and the frame. This should reduce resonating frequencies by WORLDS.
What sort of work do you wish to do? How do you wish to approach it?
The BitZero is good for folks working with metal and plastics, or S4S wood stock.
I’ve been absolutely thrilled w/ the new Crush-It clamps (but, ob. discl., I work for the company).
The community has a basic list:
I recently bought the 5 pro, I bought the crush-it essentials and downloaded and 3d printed some STLs for additional clamps and clamp styles (files provided by Carbide3D)
Any clamps in specific you’re crazy about? I bought a tonne of UHMW to make work holding and vise’s with.
A 1 to 1-1/4 facing bit for your wasteboard and to tram your spindle without buying the SST indicator is nice. My Z axis from factory is really solid. I can’t visibly tell or feel a ridge at all and I had just under half radius stepover.
A Milwaukee battery bandsaw was huge for me. I use the compact and I took off the guard as the rigidity is more than enough for cutting anything under 3/8" steel. I cannot stress the amount of time this saw has saved me. I am debating getting the 4" cut size M18 (this is also a space saving feature for myself as my shop room is 12’x14’
As well a nice finish saw as your tabs are very likely to flake leaving an unsightly chipmark when cutting with almost anything else and noone wants to cut in just one direction.
If you cant afford a full sanding setup the milwaukee/ryobi trim sanders are awesome I like the ryobi because it’s cheap, belts last quite a while and the wheel is a good radius to do most sanding and make quick work of tabs.
Even if you get the best dust extraction possible I’d still say get facemasks for your hand work as the fines will accumulate around the shop and stick to anything and everything. If it’s too hot where you live get n95 disposables if not get a nice mask with at least n95 filters.
To start with I’ll probably be doing some signs and trays, so the Vee bits and ball nose bits would be the “extras”. I own two Epilog 60w lasers, so most of my engraving projects are done on those.
My first two personal projects will be putting some dog holes in a 1.5" laminated benchtop and making some small MOLLE panels out of aluminum. Any particular bits you would recommend for those projects?
Thanks for the tip. I’ve been CAD’n up the table build for this and will have to see about
incorporating some mats into it.
Does the 5 Pro come with the Get A Grip set? It looks like it comes with just the clamps, and the Get a Grip is out of stock (alone with the BitZero).
Thanks for the list and the link, I’ll keep those handy. As for the included dust shoe, the Sweepy V2, do I need to add the Deep Sweep? The 65mm VFD page says it is compatible with the the Sweepy 65, but then goes on to say to order the Deep Sweep.
If you will be using longer tooling on the 65mm VFD, then yes, the Deep Sweep is a great add-on which will help with having a suitable range of adjustment.
Not something to buy, but I’ve found the spindle hose mount from the C3D 3D print library (Spindle Hose Mount) very useful for keeping my dust collection hose under control. It’s the white 3D printed piece in the pic.
I have seen some projects that would require longer tooling that interested me. Can you run the Deep Sweep with the normal length bits? Also, how long of a bit can you run with the 65mm VFD? It looks like standard bit can cut to a depth of around an inch (in multiple passes)?
Thanks for the tip. It looks like I might have to invest in a 3D printer as well.
Depending on where the Sweepy is attached and the full length of the stickout of the tool, maybe?
The great thing about the original Sweepy is that it is quite adjustable — the Deep Sweep extends that adjustability further, enabling longer tooling.
Yeah I have dusty regrets of not getting a better sweepy for 1 inch plus tooling.
Yes, when I bought mine it did, but after looking at the website today it appears they changed the what’s included.
I also see they dropped the price a couple of skins.( )
Side note: I got the deep sweep for sweepy 2.0 dust boot, for me that’s worked real good at snuffing up the wood chips.
Thanks for all the quick responses everyone. I’ve placed my order for a 5 Pro 2x4. I added the Crush It clamp set, the endmill starter pack, Deep Sweep, and the 65mm VFD.