wacey
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by wacey on Mar 6, 2017 21:42:33 GMT
I am looking to getting started. And wanted some of your do and don't. Something's I really need and the things I don't.
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Post by andrew on Mar 7, 2017 0:33:41 GMT
Specifically, are you getting started with thinking about purchasing a machine, putting one together, or actually getting ready to fire it up and cut something? I'm not even close to an expert on any of this, but my best advice on DO is please wear safety glasses. Best advice on DO NOT is please do not stick your hand, face, or anything else into a running machine.
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wacey
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by wacey on Mar 7, 2017 1:17:15 GMT
I am looking at about to buy the machine. But what else's do I need to buy? That's some good advice I work for the state so Safety First!!!
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Post by kevin on Mar 7, 2017 1:18:10 GMT
Hi Wacey and welcome to the forum. Andrew asks some good questions about where you are in the process and has some very valuable advice. In addition to wearing the safety glasses, you should also wear a dust mask if you are not running a dust collector particularly if you are milling MDF.
Whether you've purchased your machine or not, this forum is a great resource. You can also consult the resource section on the Millright CNC website. Regardless of what your experience level is in CNC'ing, it never hurts to check out the the CNC Cookbook website's Feeds and Speeds calculator and related articles
Also you don't say if you are familiar with any CAD/CAM programs. If so that's great, and if not, I'd recommend you check out Fusion 360 which is open source for hobbyists as well as Easel and Makercam which are also open source. YouTube has some pretty good tutorials on each of the programs there. While you are on Youtube, you may want to check out some of the videos posted by Millright CNC and some of the forum members showing what the machine is capable of.
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Post by andrew on Mar 7, 2017 1:39:43 GMT
As Kevin said, welcome to the forum! When I purchased my machine, I bought the unpainted machine with the rigidity kit and the homing switches (I still don't understand the purpose of homing switches and have run one homing cycle which left me even more confused). Other than that, you would need to purchase a router and a mount (if you don't include the spindle kit/mount from Millright in your order)and you would need a cutting bit or two. As far as bits, I bought a 1/8" straight bit from Homedepot first and then followed it up with a starter pack from inventables.com I had ZERO experience with CNC machines when I bought the millright. I do have a pretty strong background in CAD and 3D modeling though which has helped me along the way. Kevin brings up a very good point that if you don't know much about CAD that your may struggle a bit when you get going. The tutorials on Millright's resources page are of a very good value depending on the software you decide to use. Easel by inventables is pretty simple to mess with and get an idea on how tool paths and such are created. Easel is a bit limited on what it can do, but I find as a noobie to all of this, I use it most often just for the simplicity. In a nutshell, I have been amazingly happy with my Millright M3 both in the product and even more so with the support when needed.. It is a learning experience though. If you have never done CNC stuff or CAD before, you will not be carving out pinterest worthy ideas right out of the box.. Although the machine is absolutely capable of that once you get the hang of it! Since my original purchase of the machine, router, mount, and bits I have ordered the laser upgrade, and electronics upgrade made by another member here. I'm having a lot of fun with this machine even though I don't know what I'm doing most of the time
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Post by kevin on Mar 7, 2017 1:46:58 GMT
I am looking at about to buy the machine. But what else's do I need to buy? That's some good advice I work for the state so Safety First!!! I see you posted this about 30 seconds before I responded to your original post, so now I know a little more. As for what else you need to buy, the machine kit comes with everything you need to run it with the exception of the router or spindle and the mount for which ever you choose. Derek, (the Administrator here and company owner) has got the spindle kits and the router and mounts available on the MillRight CNC website as well. The machine comes in bare MDF or expoxy coated. If you intend to use the machine to mill aluminum which requires using cutting oil, you are going to either want to purchase the epoxy coated version or epoxy coat it yourself. Other options available are homing switches, a laser attachment, and a spoil board. Whether you purchase a spoil board from Millright, or make your own, I recommend using always using a spoil board. I think you are going to like this machine and be impressed with it's capabilities.
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Post by Derek the Admin on Mar 7, 2017 4:57:29 GMT
Hey Wacey. Welcome to the forum! Kevin and Andrew gave you some great information there. In a nutshell, you need to following to get going: 1) Machine kit 2) [Router AND router mount] OR [spindle kit]. You do not need both. 3) End mills or other cutting tools. If you get the router you will want 1/4" shank end mills. If you get the spindle kit you'll want 1/8" end mills. Drillman1 on ebay has good prices on 1/8" tools in particular 4) Clamps. Most guys end up cutting their own. To start with you can drill holes in a piece of wood and run the provided clamp screws through it. A customer named Dan Reynolds made some clamp designs and they are hosted at www.millrightcnc.com/resources at the bottom. That would be a good first project. Please let me know if there are any other questions that can be addressed. We would appreciate your business.
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