What Should I do? Trade in or Trade Up?

Machines (Original/PRO)
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Ok, so I bought mine two years ago and am now just now (I know I’m an idiot) getting around to setting it up. I haven’t even unpacked it… still in original packaging. Should I send it back and make the trade-in/trade-up for their newer version, or would I be okay with this one? I’m new to CNC, so I don’t think I need super crazy robust, but before I open it, I would love to get some guidance from anyone on here who has a better idea on this than I do. Thanks!!

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Hey Emanuel,

it depends, do you think you want one of these items?

Welcome to the forum!

Further reading

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Thanks. That’s just it. I’m not really sure if I need it or if I should just open my machine and use it as is. I’m totally new to this and have been intimidated by getting started.

I don’t even know where to start to design and get my first project done with software. Any clues or suggestions to point me to would be great. Thanks for welcoming me to the community.

I’m excited and also feeling so lost. :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

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A bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. Get going and learn with what you have before spending more money and energy hunting something else.

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Hey Emanuel,

if you open the boxes, be careful to find out the mechanism how they open and can be closed again. This is not only for the case you would resell the machine one day, but also in case of a move to pack it for transport.

You need to carefully slit the tape on the sides, then you will see the flaps, the boxes open up with the lid up and in the sides you can slide in side flaps that are attached to the lid. I took pictures of it, maybe I’ll find time to post them later.

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6

If you haven’t ever used a CNC before, I’m pretty sure what you already have will meet your needs for the foreseeable future unless you are planning to jump right in to production level work. I’ve had mine since December 2020, use it frequently and it still does everything I need it to do and then some. The only thing I have thought about doing is upgrading the x axis to the journeyman 48" to allow me to do a full width plywood panel.

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Good point about the boxes; they are beefy and worth keeping.

Also agree that you should get started with what you have. So very much to learn. Like a lot. Once you’ve learned the ropes, the first thing that’ll hit you as a stumbling block will the near-useless Makita router. (Do some searches and you’ll see what we mean. And don’t burn your shop down…).

So, the next item on your purchase list won’t be a beefier 1F CNC but a sturdier, more powerful spindle/VFD combo and probably an upgrade to the larger 80mm Z-20 slider. If you’re not real technical you may want to do what the rest of us ‘non-experts’ have done and buy the spindle/VFD preconfigured.

In the meantime, get working! (And if you haven’t used CAD/CAM software before, well, even more reason to get started.)

Welcome to club!

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Thank you. You’re right. I end up falling into the “procrastinate and use every distraction instead of dealing with the task …” approach. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: it’s mostly my approach to address fear. :joy:

Thanks, this is sound advice, and I’ll just buck up and get on with it.

Did I mention: I’m an idiot and have no clue what to do? :laughing:

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Brilliant! Thanks for the great idea. I won’t do the “Xmas kid” unboxing approach… :joy:

Thanks! :ok_hand:

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I am Thank you. All of this makes sense, and I am getting excited to start.

You’ve provided some great ideas here, and while I’m a bit scared to start, I have to get on with it.

If you could speak to your younger self the day you started working with your CNC, what would you say to him/her? As far as “the first project and where to design and and get set up to carve”?

Thanks again and I appreciate the welcome and vote of confidence.

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I have a whole Beginners guide to carveco maker that may help. Ultimate Beginners Guide - Intro Into Maker - YouTube
If you are not using carveco maker here is a link (Carveco Maker For SainSmart) 3month free trial to get started and then its only 15.00 a month to continue. I think its one of the best programs out there for the kind of stuff we make. Hope this helps.

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The only reason to upgrade IMO is if you want a larger cutting area. If you are fine with the size machine you got then set it up, learn how to use it, and have fun.

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Hey Emanuel,

here are the photos I made to show how to…

Don’t unpack them this way like the leaf blower idiot in the workshop :slight_smile:

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