r/hobbycnc

I have ordereded for the vertical and horizontal axis,

Closed loop stepper motor

Closed loop stepper driver

Power supply

RS232 cable for driver

Motor and encoder extension cable kit for Nema 23 and 24 closed loop stepper motors

For the saw arbor I have

BLDC motor

Digital brushless DC motor driver

Power supply

I know I need an HMI, but what else do I need? I will find someone to program it all for me.

First time CNC owner. Which program is the easiest to use and is free?

Hi there,

I've been a CNC Machinist (75% Milling - 25% Turning for oil&gas, aerospace, job shops) for the past 8 years and have always dreamed of opening my own shop.

Rather than directly competing with local shops from the start, I want to first build a financial cushion by buying a used CNC mill and machining simple work-holding kits (123 blocks, serrated clamps, step blocks, flange nuts, T-slot nuts etc...) and selling them under a brand name to fund more machines, and more advanced work-holding solutions (fixture plates, toe clamps, drop-in T-slot nuts, vise stops, soft jaws etc..). The idea is to start small, building a Canadian manufacturing brand that makes and sells commodity items every machine shop needs, then move towards premium work-holding products, and finally grow to the point where I have enough machines to run the work-holding business + bid and take on more specialized custom machining work (preferably aerospace)...

Assuming I already have my first machine, and the space + tools + power for it, my questions to you are:
- What do you think of this specific progressive business model idea ?
- What would be your advice for success for me?
- What do you foresee going right/wrong?
- Would you recommend a different starting point than commodity milling work-holding? - Can you think of any other high demand and simple to machine products to start with?
- How would you go about starting a CNC shop in 2026? - Alberta or Ontario for the best execution ?

PS: Not to be rude, but please refrain from commenting if you don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm looking for constructive input specifically on the business model from Veterans of the trade, with a good understanding of the Canadian Machining landscape as a whole.

Thanks ALL!!!

I'm engraving text on a part in Fusion and I'm stuck on the font side

https://preview.redd.it/wt8v9semqcbh1.png?width=2844&format=png&auto=webp&s=636cb4b2031c3321ff62033f45ef543e6b1e6f7c

What I want: lettering in a serif font — ideally the Times New Roman look, with proper serifs and that thick/thin stroke contrast — engraved as a single centerline pass per stroke. Tool runs down the middle of each stroke once, clean solid lettering. **The problem:** any normal TrueType serif (Times New Roman etc.) is an outline font. Each letter is a closed filled shape, so the tool traces the *outline* of every stroke — I get hollow, double-lined letters instead of a single stroke down the center.

Hello!

I've recently been interested in getting into CNC after a year with my 3D printer. I have many hobby ideas that I want to try that are not possible with 3-D Printing alone. I have experience with 3-D/CAD and your usual technology jargon.
HOWEVER, I tried to do my research on Desktop CNCs but there are so many brands, models, features, and limitations that I am completely lost on what to get as my first CNC machine.

For now, I am interested in carving into acrylic bases for my collectibles, to be able to affix them to the bases with good sturdiness. Some of these bases are about 5 x 5 x 2 inches which I believe the most modern desktop CNCs should be able to handle. I'd like the carving detail to be super smooth and neat, and to avoid jagged steps or cracked acrylic edges. Pretty much I am looking for good quality results in a small-medium factor. Eventually, I may also want to work with aluminum, brass, and any other metals that the recommended CNC machine supports.

I've looked into Carbide Nomad 3, Makera Z1, Carvera Air, Fox Alien, Shapeko, Genmitsu, and more. They all look like they could probably get the job done, but I really want to narrow my focus to the best out there because I plan on creating prototypes for my business and I'd like to be able to learn about CNC without fighting against it.

I have spatial limitations as I live in an apartment, so I am strongly considering machines with enclosure and vacuum inserts would be nice to have as I am also planning on getting a Fein Turbo 1 job vacuum to aid with dust and material shavings.

My budget is about $2,500 USD, but I am open to investing a little more if it its absolutely necessary for my use case.

I'll greatly appreciate any recommendations and beginner tips.
TIA!

Is there a free software for the CNC that allows you to carve directly from the software like Easel does? The easier to use the better. I don’t have enough time to learn a complicated software. I will be carving guitar bodies and inlays on fretboards. Nothing really else. What is the easiest software to use for this and which will allow me to carve directly from the software. I can’t seem to get the card to read in my laptop. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I use a two trees TTC 450 Pro desktop version. It’s a decent machine for my needs with an 18x18 workspace it can carve out a body and do the inlays. Unfortunately I can’t do a neck buts it what I could afford at the time. I haven’t used it in months because I didn’t have time to learn everything.

Hi there!

Probably a little over 15 years ago, I got excited by the prospect of CNC machining. Ended up picking up CAD and had a couple of things made by small shops, before I built my own 3D printer (made from random bits and a delta no less).

I've kept up with the 3D printing space and it's been great to see a lot of the developments... but I still feel the draw of metal.

Understanding that the hobby CNC space hasn't grown at the same pace (although I'm keen to see how the Nestworks C500 turns out), what's one of the next starting points in subtractive machining? I'm keen to hear from anyone who's made the jump from 3D printing; which way did you go and what mistakes did you make along the way?

As much as I'd like to yolo into a large volume simultaneous 5-axis with a few dozen ATC slots, I'm sure there's a nice entry level which is a bit more accessible and allows to build skill, while still providing some satisfying parts.

All, just picked up a second hand masuter 4040 off marketplace on the cheap. Its cutting well for what I need it to do, but im having an issue where it frequently stops mid cut with alarm:3/error:9. Looking for advice as to the cause and potential solutions

GRBL1.1

Stuck between, RatRig/Milo mill, Makera Z, a Anolex/Genmitsu style machine, or are any considerations that I'm missing?

I'll likely be making some 7075-t6 12mm 200x400mm aluminium plates along with some smaller hobby stuff.

Any suggestions on how to go about locating edges when working with wood on gantry CNCs? I'm used to using traditional edge finders in mills (the kind where a ground cylinder has a spring loaded tip that offsets when it is directly over the edge), problem is, these are only good for about 1000 rpm and the minimum spindle speed on the machine I'm working with is 9000 rpm. I thought maybe I could use one of those electronic touch edge finders, but have learned they need to touch conductive metal to set off the alarm. They also seem to require 3/4 inch collets, the max size for the machine I'm using is 1/2 inch. Any ideas how to find the edge of wood stock? I saw one where it depresses a plunger on the surface and you jog the machine over until the plunger pops out, but if I'm using something like MDF it seems like this method might be a problem with the edge of the MDF being a bit soft so it could lead to some inaccuracy as it could potentially scratch a line down the edge of the MDF.

I made this set for my Mara X last week! It's not functional yet since I got the wrong threaded inserts haha But I like the natural oak look a lot. Suits my kitchen. Now I'm thinking of doing the Grinder as well to have all in the identical wood...

https://preview.redd.it/b3ghebm39hah1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f5d5663f7c7b45bcf8b8edb9799ffa0d8f43e334

https://preview.redd.it/grq6ram39hah1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04d65b049be1efeea88927bfd1db6cbc6cf57e48

https://preview.redd.it/vc5epam39hah1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41b034293912e2afd1c35dde50e808c4eb150e43

Ive really been into 3d printing as of late and been really curious about cnc to make pens and fidget toys and other odds and ends. What would be a good place to start with cnc. My target output would probably be stainless steel, bronze, copper and maybe even ti since im more interested in making the above-mentioned items. Ive seen the makera which seems super cool but pricey. Realistically speaking though i have no idea what a budget beginner machine would even look like for what id like to do. So yea any advice, recommendations or anecdotes are welcome