Z suddenly plunges too deep

Usually such difficulties are caused by a disconnect in how the origin is set in the file and how you are setting it relative to the stock.

Please review: https://docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/tutorial-homing/

and check the machine mechanically:

It is also important to be sure that the collet is correctly tightened, the endmill fits correctly and doesn’t slip, and the router is mounted securely in the mount, and that the mount doesn’t shift. Note than endmill pullout can happen gradually, especially when profiling against tall walls.[4]

Also feeds and speeds may be a consideration: https://docs.carbide3d.com/support/#tooling-support and see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9bceJxpqG0 for concepts on this and https://www.precisebits.com/tutorials/calibrating_feeds_n_speeds.htm for a testing technique and see the series #MaterialMonday: #MaterialMonday on YouTube

Beyond that it’s usually a matter of Calibration and Squaring the Machine c.f., http://docs.carbide3d.com/shapeoko-faq/how-to-calibrate-the-machine-for-belt-stretch/

If you continue to have difficulties, please send in the .c2d source file, generated G-Code, and step-by-step notes on how you are securing your stock and setting zero relative to it and we’ll do our best to help puzzle things out.