Great video. You covered and nailed pretty much every issue. I currently own a Shapeoko 4 standard, and am upgrading to a 5 Pro 4x2, and have a coworker that will be purchasing my old machine. He has zero experience in the CNC world, but is wanting to make the jump. IMHO, Shapeoko is the way to go, even on the entry level, as the machine is superior in design and function. If the machine is inferior, or the customer support is poor, then that's a formula for turning people OFF of pursuing moving forward with CNC-ing.
You couldn’t be more right, Shapeoko is a great option for starting out! And you also bring up another great point. Check your local market for used machines. That’s how I got into my first CNC, which was a Shapeoko Pro XXL. I used it for over a year, sold it for $200 less than what I bought it for.
I want to add a couple little things, had my shapeko 3 XXL for a few years now. So wheels, everything needs to be on wheels, esp with my XXL. So the XXL is a little different size wise. I made a cart and the front is drawers I made similar to yours, one side is 2x4 sheet good storage. I enclosed mine so I have 4x4 of storage on top. The big thing is my festool dust extractor and cyclone fit behind the drawers.
@@LaserGarage Yeah the enclosure is the part im not thrilled about, I havnt made the front yet, but using 1/4 ply to enclose the sides was a mistake, it made it more of a echo chamber. I do really really like having the top and being able to store stuff above it.
I think the best upgrade i did to my shapeoko pro 5 4x4. Was get vectric. Don't get me wrong. Carbide create is an excellent program. But after a year of using it i felt i needed the bump. Its quit a bit different but after a bit of learning. But. An amazing decision.
Have had a laser for a few months now and looking to add either a Genmitsu or Foxalien CNC. In the process of setting up my shop space in an unfinished basement. Need to do it on the cheap as it is a rental.
Sounds like you're getting a great setup going! I highly recommend either the Shapeoko line of CNCs or the Fox Alien Masuter 3s with the extension kit. Shapeoko will be a bit more expensive but less learning curve than the Fox Alien. Shapeokos have a better release value also, something to think about.
If I ever get another CNC, I would like the spindle to be able to go past the table. Then I would have a 90 degree table to clamp wood to do dovetails and lock miter bit cuts to do jewelry boxes.
@hmatyas1 thought about a little but I’m just not that familiar with it. You have to take the gantry off the machine and move it to a secondary position a few inches closer to the front of the machine. Not that big of a deal but you lose work area on the back of the cnc as a result.
@@LaserGarage True, but what would you use more, the back end of the machine or the "new" space in front of the machine. Everything has plus and minuses.
@hmatyas1 100%. I use the full bed all the time. Using the front space for joinery doesn’t make sense for me. But it may for others, I like that it’s an option.
My plan is exactly what you did- put a Shapeoko on top of my tool box which is identical to yours. Outside of the considerations you mentioned, do you find that the position of the cnc in a corner by the wall problematic in terms of accessibility? Things that come to mind for me is maintenance for example.
Nice! It’s not an issue for me because the right side of my machine is my garage door. So when it’s open I have almost full access to the right of the machine. If that wasn’t the case I’d probably place it about a foot off the corner just to be able to squeeze in if I needed to.
My ultimate CNC Workshop Dream would be to be able to purchase a 2nd CNC machine & be able to hire another employee & have one CNC do all the prototypes/1st run jobs & the 2nd machine do all the production jobs. And if I ever make it far enough the VERY FIRST PERSON I’m hiring is a full time techie 👨💻👩💻! I’ll do all the work/CNC work & they can do all the online sales, listings, social media, website, etc etc etc! We all have something we excel better in more than others, & the whole computer/techie social media video business just ain’t me nor is it my cup of tea. I’m a hands on guy through & through, but anyways a 2nd machine would be nice. I’d like to see how those new(er) AltMill’s actually hold up in the long run before pulling the plug on one, but it’s definitely one I have my eye on….. though I love my S5 4x4 & believe I couldn’t go wrong with another, I’d just really like another (different) CNC (in AT LEAST another 4x4 footprint)! Anyways Great Video & Great Suggestions & Tips! 💯
Thank you so much. So much good stuff to unpack in your comment, thanks for adding to the conversation. The AltMill really seems like a stout CNC and a good option I’m sure.
just purchased my first cnc step craft pick it up in a few weeks great videos
Awesome choice! You're going to love it.
Great video. You covered and nailed pretty much every issue. I currently own a Shapeoko 4 standard, and am upgrading to a 5 Pro 4x2, and have a coworker that will be purchasing my old machine. He has zero experience in the CNC world, but is wanting to make the jump. IMHO, Shapeoko is the way to go, even on the entry level, as the machine is superior in design and function. If the machine is inferior, or the customer support is poor, then that's a formula for turning people OFF of pursuing moving forward with CNC-ing.
You couldn’t be more right, Shapeoko is a great option for starting out! And you also bring up another great point. Check your local market for used machines. That’s how I got into my first CNC, which was a Shapeoko Pro XXL. I used it for over a year, sold it for $200 less than what I bought it for.
I want to add a couple little things, had my shapeko 3 XXL for a few years now. So wheels, everything needs to be on wheels, esp with my XXL. So the XXL is a little different size wise. I made a cart and the front is drawers I made similar to yours, one side is 2x4 sheet good storage. I enclosed mine so I have 4x4 of storage on top. The big thing is my festool dust extractor and cyclone fit behind the drawers.
Definitely some good tips there, thank you. I had a similar setup with my old Shapeoko Pro XXL except it wasn’t enclosed.
@@LaserGarage Yeah the enclosure is the part im not thrilled about, I havnt made the front yet, but using 1/4 ply to enclose the sides was a mistake, it made it more of a echo chamber. I do really really like having the top and being able to store stuff above it.
Maybe add some sound deadening foam to the panels?
I think the best upgrade i did to my shapeoko pro 5 4x4. Was get vectric. Don't get me wrong. Carbide create is an excellent program. But after a year of using it i felt i needed the bump. Its quit a bit different but after a bit of learning. But. An amazing decision.
Thanks for sharing. Vectric is powerful software that’s for sure.
Have had a laser for a few months now and looking to add either a Genmitsu or Foxalien CNC. In the process of setting up my shop space in an unfinished basement. Need to do it on the cheap as it is a rental.
Sounds like you're getting a great setup going! I highly recommend either the Shapeoko line of CNCs or the Fox Alien Masuter 3s with the extension kit. Shapeoko will be a bit more expensive but less learning curve than the Fox Alien. Shapeokos have a better release value also, something to think about.
If I ever get another CNC, I would like the spindle to be able to go past the table. Then I would have a 90 degree table to clamp wood to do dovetails and lock miter bit cuts to do jewelry boxes.
Nice! The Shapeoko 5 pro can do that.
@@LaserGarage Have you ever though about doing a video on it?
@hmatyas1 thought about a little but I’m just not that familiar with it. You have to take the gantry off the machine and move it to a secondary position a few inches closer to the front of the machine. Not that big of a deal but you lose work area on the back of the cnc as a result.
@@LaserGarage True, but what would you use more, the back end of the machine or the "new" space in front of the machine. Everything has plus and minuses.
@hmatyas1 100%. I use the full bed all the time. Using the front space for joinery doesn’t make sense for me. But it may for others, I like that it’s an option.
My plan is exactly what you did- put a Shapeoko on top of my tool box which is identical to yours.
Outside of the considerations you mentioned, do you find that the position of the cnc in a corner by the wall problematic in terms of accessibility? Things that come to mind for me is maintenance for example.
Nice! It’s not an issue for me because the right side of my machine is my garage door. So when it’s open I have almost full access to the right of the machine. If that wasn’t the case I’d probably place it about a foot off the corner just to be able to squeeze in if I needed to.
Can you share how you are running motion on a iPad/tablet??
It’s not an iPad. It’s just a windows 11 based tablet. Basically just a cheap computer with a touch screen.
Is there a link to show how to install the touchpad? Thanks
No sorry. It’s just a windows tablet connected via usb. I attached it to my bench with a cheap mount from Amazon.
My ultimate CNC Workshop Dream would be to be able to purchase a 2nd CNC machine & be able to hire another employee & have one CNC do all the prototypes/1st run jobs & the 2nd machine do all the production jobs.
And if I ever make it far enough the VERY FIRST PERSON I’m hiring is a full time techie 👨💻👩💻! I’ll do all the work/CNC work & they can do all the online sales, listings, social media, website, etc etc etc! We all have something we excel better in more than others, & the whole computer/techie social media video business just ain’t me nor is it my cup of tea. I’m a hands on guy through & through, but anyways a 2nd machine would be nice. I’d like to see how those new(er) AltMill’s actually hold up in the long run before pulling the plug on one, but it’s definitely one I have my eye on….. though I love my S5 4x4 & believe I couldn’t go wrong with another, I’d just really like another (different) CNC (in AT LEAST another 4x4 footprint)!
Anyways Great Video & Great Suggestions & Tips! 💯
Thank you so much. So much good stuff to unpack in your comment, thanks for adding to the conversation. The AltMill really seems like a stout CNC and a good option I’m sure.