@eriorellana We are in the same boat. I bit the bullet on Shapr3D because of the iPad/pencil capability (for the design part). It seems fairly good, although lacking in functionality compared to -say- Fusion360. But I will also take another look at FreeCad (not sure about file formats supported, though). As far as creating the work path for the cnc machine itself, XCarve seems to be the go-to software for many, but it’s not available for Mac. I think Fusion360 can be used as well. Otherwise, I might even go with Easel to get started. I understand it’s ‘free’, but don’t know it’s limitations. I’ll update once I narrowed down my own choices.
I am thinking of ordering one in March…What else did you order with the machine…Trying to figure out what all to get…Steve
@steve1 Cool! I hope you’ll end up ordering one as well. About your question (even though someone actually USING the machine would be better suited to give a meaningful answer regarding useful accessories…), I also ordered the 3-Axis Touch Probe, Cable Extensions, Joystick, Pro Dust Boot and a starter pack of clamps. I will use t-track, so I will probably use a wide variety of different clamps before I might know which ones will work best for me.
You might also take a look at FreeCAD.
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Weeks? I ordered mine in late October and got it February 6… Welcome, I’m in KS and it is too cold to do anything for a month or so here. My shop is in a external Tuff Shed. Glad to have another new guy. FYI, if you are in the U.S. it actually ships from UPS from Boarderworx, so unlike past threads, be on the look out for a shipping notice from them.
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IMO, order the suckit pro, the game controller, probe, and the boom off of etsy. I needed software and decided to go for VCarve Pro from Onefinity, but my savings was diminished because of the exchange fees because OneFinity is a Canadian company.
I bought some infinity bits off Amazon and a surfacing bit (whiteside) for the wasteboard. I got mine last Saturday, but too cold here to do more than set it up and take the controller box and display in from the cold. I hope to do the wasteboard and other setup in a few weeks when it gets warmer.
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Cable extensions Why as per the touch probe cant you just eyeball it ?? I hope to order one in march. I am retired so I want to get the most bang for my money…
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Would like input from users as to what all extra I should buy with the main machine??? I hope to order one later this month…thanks…Steve[quote=“steve1, post:27, topic:3085, full:true”]
Cable extensions Why as per the touch probe cant you just eyeball it ?? I hope to order one in march. I am retired so I want to get the most bang for my money…
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@steve1 Sorry, I thought this has been sufficiently answered. I am a newbie (no machine yet), so all I can tell you is what I’ve ordered for myself so far (please see my comments about it further up the thread^^^). As far as what else to get, I really don’t know. There will be a learning curve and everyone’s needs are slightly different. Additional things to get are router bits (obvious) and a table and sacrificial waste board, plus the biggie… the software. And just fyi about the extension cables, I’ve added these so I have flexibility with the placement of the controller, which is in its own little box as you know. I definitely want that out of the way and not get snowed-in with sawdust. About the touch probe, I am not sure how much that is needed, especially as I plan on using the same Point ZERO every time. But that said, the moment I won’t, I am sure I will ‘need it now’ and in a hurry, so better to have it than not. But my use of the machine will be mostly for cutting, so maybe not as critical to have it. At some point, I also envision constructing an enclosure for the whole machine to keep dust at bay. Hope this helps and I hope the more seasoned cnc’ers will chime in to answer your questions as well.
Greetings Thank you for your remarks. I will keep them in mind when I order. Hopefully by the end of the month .including basically what you ordered .I will keep in touch. Steve