I’m brand new to the CNC world and have a lot to learn. I’ve been researching different machines, and I’m getting ready to purchase the AltMill 4x4 as my first CNC.
A little about me: I’m a retired U.S. Navy veteran, currently working as a financial advisor, and I live in Hawaii. I’ve always enjoyed learning new skills and working with my hands, so CNC machining seemed like the perfect hobby to dive into.
I don’t have any CNC experience yet, so I’ll probably be asking some beginner questions. My goal is to learn the right way from the start, avoid common mistakes, and eventually be able to design and build projects of my own.
I’m looking forward to learning from everyone here and appreciate any advice you can share—especially things you wish you had known before buying your first CNC.
Mahalo for having me, and I look forward to being part of the community!
First bit of advice…research all the components you will need before buying. I’ve seen several users buy a CNC but didn’t budget for CAM software, dust extraction, tools and accessories, extra power, etc. You can easily double the cost of the CNC by the time you are done.
Second bit of advice…figure out what you want to do and then buy the appropriate CNC. In the Altmill lineup, there’s the 2x4, 4x4, and 4x8. Get the one you will need from the start. ATC or no ATC. 1.5kW (120V) or 2.2kW (220V) spindle?
It’s a buy once, cry once type of expense. You don’t want it to become buy twice, cry twice.
And don’t forget the cost of wood for your projects. Good wood is expensive.
We are mostly not this cheesy around here, just your bad luck to get the one Dutch guy on this here board. And that is what I want to talk about. The bad luck thing, you seem to encounter every now and then riiight after having a win with getting Tha Chuckster tossin some awesome tips.
So bad luck, right Bob? Didn’t you wish you could just walk out, flip a switch on your way out and turn that unlucky streak into shutting me up in the middle of a yap? I would, but I’m stuck with me. The next best thing I could think of was putting a way-out-switch on my machine to stop it doing scary stuff after bad luck makes it become so scary, you rather listen to me yap than come near the machine to smash the e-stop button that is on it.
Imagine you had a button to shut me up right in the middl
I’ve already started realizing that the CNC itself is just the beginning. Between CAM software, dust collection, tooling, hold-downs, and everything else, the budget grows pretty quickly.
One thing I’ve learned is that I don’t know what I don’t know yet, so I’m trying to ask questions before I spend the money. For example, if I buy an ATC spindle, can tools still be changed manually when needed, or is it designed to only work with the automatic tool changer? I’m sure there are a lot of questions like that I haven’t even thought to ask yet.
The 4x4 is really the largest machine my shop has room for, so that part of the decision is already made. I’m just trying to make the best choices for the configuration from the start.
I’d rather buy once, cry once (like you said) than buy twice, cry twice. And yes, hardwood prices here in Hawaii can be pretty eye-opening!
Thanks again for taking the time to point me in the right direction. I appreciate everyone who’s willing to help a beginner learn.
Bob, welcome to the group from another Navy retiree. I started the CNC journey fifteen years ago when a friend gave me a non-working CNC that had been scrapped by the local high school. I took it as a challenge to get it working again. Totally gutted the electronics and replaced with Mach3 compatible USB interface board. Machine was meant as a training tool for metal machining and only capable of about 4x4x4 inch work area. Not being a machinist, it ended up with a local gunsmith who still uses it today.
After that I decided to build my own machine once again using Mach3 as the controller. That machine was made from MDF and had angle aluminum and roller bearings. It lasted about six years and I rebuilt it using ball screws and linear rails and half inch aluminum plate for the frame. Purchased some Vectric software and started making things. That machine now resided with a friend - not sure if he ever started using it but I needed it out of the way for the 4x4 Altmill that I have had for about a year - best purchase I ever made!
In addition to the CNC, there are three lasers in use (CO2, MOPA fiber and x-tool UV), SawStop table say, JET bandsaw, JET lathe, JET drum sander, DeWalt thickness planer, miter saw, jointer/planer, Grizzley belt/disk sander and a spindle sander. I can always find something to do in the shop!
As noted above, the CAD/CAM software is probably the hardest and most time consuming to learn. I suggest you download a thirty day trial version of Vectric and experiment. There are some great online tutorials (fee and paid) that are worth looking into as well.
I cannot answer your question regarding the ATC. I still change bit manually - not a big deal to do.
In my opinion, unless you are in some kind of “high production”, the ATC is not worth the money. I have been running “hobby level” CNC for 4 years now and still can’t justify the complexity and cost of a ATC. That being said, it can be added later.
Software is another issue. I use an old 2002 version of AutoCAD, but also use QCAD.org, a cheap modern CAD program. Vectric.com is my choice for producing gCode, starting with the cheapest Desktop version and gradually upgrading to VCarve Pro, paying only the upgrade cost with each step as my requirements advanced. If your CNC is from Sienci.com, than gSender is the software to take the gCode and send it to the CNC machine.
A little personal experience will show you quickly what accessories will be useful to your type of projects, something very hard to predict.
Invest in good dust collection after reviewing what everyone else is doing. I use a 1.5hp Dust Collector from Grizzly Industrial with a 4" hose to the Dust Shoe.
Almost all the supplies and accessories can be made yourself, or added as needed.
You are wise to understand that you have much to learn. I took advice from a New Mexico Mechanical Engineer who has much CNC experience. The Best Buy at the time seemed to be a FoxAlien 4040 which I bought a few years ago. Since then I have learned that there appeared to be better CNCs being developed by Scienci Labs and recently upgraded by purchasing the Scienci stepper-motor kit and using its gSender software. I think I made the right choice and find that my worst problem is me but that by asking Scienci Labs Support for help I have become even more satisfied with their products.
Since developing the AltMill they are working on less expensive and more efficient models. I suggest you keep looking at everything you can about Scienci Labs. There is much to learn and they are pretty good at putting out useful information. Check out their YouTube channel videos and look behind the scenes (more than the obvious on their website) for more and more information about Scienci and their new options.
Apparently there is an upcoming International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta on August 25 that may be something you could take in as part of your efforts.
I am new to the CNC scene myself. I had some of the same reasons you cited for getting into it. I opted for the Altmill 4x4 about 3 months ago. If your shop is going to be crowded with the 4x4 then strongly consider the 4x2. I am an experienced (but minimally skilled) woodworker and have despised going down the buy twice scenario every time I’ve done it. That’s one reason I went with the 4x4. On the other hand, while the extra capacity is nice, it hasn’t been “required” to enjoy this new hobby. My point would be to do your best to understand your use case: what are you going to do with it? You might want to check out https://www.thecnchub.com/ . It’s a site done by Kyle Ely that may help you decide what to buy. Kyle also does great Vectric education courses.
The other advice offered is sound and I endorse the thoughts put forth. One thing that I would add is if you aren’t detail oriented and able to enjoy learning new software, you may want to reconsider.
As for me, I’m learning to better observe the details and am enjoying learning the V-Carve Pro software. One more thing, the community is very supportive. Take advantage of that. Good luck!
