Hello, everyone. I’m Chris, and I am brand new to CNC – so new, in fact, I don’t really know yet what I’m doing.
This is where I’m at: Onefinity Woodworker is set up, with Makita, three bits from Onefi, plus dust collection assembly. Machine has been homed and jogged.
I realize I’m completely naive, but what next?
Looks like I need to get a laptop (my PC died) and get software to actually build files and G code. Easel for free? Others?
Also, it appears I need to get the joystick controller and the probe.
Again, apologies for being so uninformed, and thanks for any help you can provide.
You can proceed without the probe and joystick but so help.
You will need a computer to create models (CAD) and then create tool paths (CAM) that then get processed for loading into GCode (a text file) that the onefinity machine can read once loaded into the controller (USB or wifi).
Software: VCarve is a good choice for beginners; used by a fair few forum members and comes with lots of tutorials.
What I tell my CNC students is to expect the 80/20 rule of everything to apply to this as well. They’re going to be spending 80% of their time in the software and 20% making chips
The other rule of thumb is that for any really significant project they’ll spend 50% of their time designing, 50% machining and the other 50% sanding and finishing
I know one of the advantages of the 1F is that it can run untethered from a PC but I encourage you to bring your design PC (laptop or whatever) into the shop with the 1F when you’re carving a project. You have to babysit the machine anyway so while you’re doing that, you can work on other projects while you’re sitting there. I’ve added a laptop stand and a stool to my 1F setup just for that. I do the same with my other machines and it’s pretty handy. It’s also good to be able to do a quick mod to a design you’re cutting if you notice something you want to change.
That’s good input, Jim. I’ll order a laptop today and get Vcarve loaded. I’ve been watching videos to get a handle on it.
I’m a Woodworker and have gotten pretty good with the lathe, but I wanted to explore CNC work as well. I know I’m a neophyte, and your input is appreciated and valued.
Software
VCarve is expensive, although VERY easy to use and top-notch, I would purchase right away if I had the money. If you don’t want to jump in and spend that money (save it for endmills ), I would look at Carbide Create or Fusion360. Fusion360 is CAD and CAM combined, and a lot of the hobbyist community uses it. Fusion is also pretty popular within the Onefinity community. I got my machine a few months ago and have been using Carbide Create, works nicely although it’s missing a few key features such as ramping, nesting and a few others. I recently tried HSMExpress for SolidWorks and I’m liking it a lot so far.
As for software, what type of projects you will be working on? If it’s primarily fine woodwork, then I would go for one of Vectric’s products. If it’s more “parts and assembly style” stuff, Fusion360 is probably better as it offers parametric modelling.
I personally use my CNC (mainly) for the latter, machining a lot of “mechanical” parts so for me 3D modelling isn’t as important. I just need something for CAMing, as I use SolidWorks for the design aspect of a project.
Other Comments
Just like lathe chisels, get good, high-quality endmills. Don’t skimp out as these play a huge part in whether your project is a success or not. Here is a thread discussing some good brands for cutters. I would pick up a standard square endmill, a flattening bit and a vee-bit to get started.
The probe isn’t a must to get started, just use small jog increments and “zero” it either by eye or with a piece of paper.
Before you start milling, make sure the white collars on the drive screws are tight, mine wiggled lose and popped off during one of my first cuts (scaryyy!), and make sure your router is properly trammed.
You can always upgrade versions just by paying the difference in price so you can start out low & work your way up. The big kahuna there is Aspire - big price jump to be able to create 3D models vs just being able to import them from someone else.
Thanks for all the input. I’ll be concentrating on woodwork on the CNC, maybe doing some sign work and perhaps intricate detailing when I acquire the skills. Stars for U.S. flags and such.
I got the Onefinity 3 bit set for the end mills, as well as some pretty nice router bits I already had. I’ve got some more YTube video homework to do before buying the CAD/CAM software. Free obviously appeals but the Vcarve interface looks fairly friendly. May bite the bullet and start off with that.
If you are still unsure which software package you want to go with and need some more time to decide, I would download Carbide Create and do a cut or two just to get a feel for the CNC workflow (design, homing, jogging, uploading gcode etc). It’s free - you can’t go wrong!
if you end up buying Vcarve or something 2 weeks from now, that’s awesome! Also, I’m pretty sure Fusion360 is free, could be wrong though - maybe somebody who uses the software could chime in.
It’s sort-of free. The free version is limited by what they determine to be needed by a hobbyist. They change that list of features as they see fit. You’re also not supposed to use it for commercial purposes like selling your stuff at craft fairs or on Etsy for instance (I believe they are okay with less than $1000/yr). If you’re going to dive into the Fusion rabbit hole, it’s best just to plan on their annual $350/yr license. If you’re doing anything significant, it’s not a lot of money (probably less than a Starbucks habit).
I buy tools by telling my wife that the first project (& I have a first project) will pay for it and then every other project will be free
The 1F will pay for itself when I make the escutcheon plates for the doors on our new house.
We joke that I only pick projects to do that require a new tool. That’s not the case though because I always do at least a second project just to make sure I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of a tool.
I know one of the advantages of the 1F is that it can run untethered from a PC but I encourage you to bring your design PC (laptop or whatever) into the shop with the 1F when you’re carving a project. You have to babysit the machine anyway so while you’re doing that, you can work on other projects while you’re sitting there. I’ve added a laptop stand and a stool to my 1F setup just for that. I do the same with my other machines and it’s pretty handy. It’s also good to be able to do a quick mod to a design you’re cutting if you notice something you want to change.
), I would look at Carbide Create or Fusion360. Fusion360 is CAD and CAM combined, and a lot of the hobbyist community uses it. Fusion is also pretty popular within the Onefinity community. I got my machine a few months ago and have been using Carbide Create, works nicely although it’s missing a few key features such as ramping, nesting and a few others. I recently tried HSMExpress for SolidWorks and I’m liking it a lot so far.
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