new to CNCing, what bits are essential to get started . Only wood and MDF ,

[mynewix]

Good evening chaps,
i am new to a CNC , taking it up as a hobby since retiring, just bought a decent machine and now need a few bits but not sure where to start.
will initially only be playing with ply , MDF and maybe some walnut as a few lumps hanging around

will be using A makita 1/4 router

probaly be trying my hand at some sign making , some 3 D relief to go onto a box top and some general cutting out some plans

any pointers what bits i should buy and where to buy from other than Amazon
cheers
dan

[danwhite]

Hello I see you are new ish to the cnc. I am too. I just wanted to ask you what software you are using. Someone said to me they use ms cad but I don’t want to be paying monthly for something I might rarely use

[mynewix]

Hi , I’ve been using my Cnc for about 18 months now. I’ve been using carveco maker which was free for the first year which gave me plenty of time to learn enough to be able to use it .
From year 2 it’s either a monthly subscription or £180 a year .
It’s exceptional powerful and great if you want to use their AI to do 3d relief carving .
I do however begrudge paying a subscription so started playing on vetric which is a one off payment
You can’t do 3d but I rarely use this feature so will probably move over to vetric when my subscription comes up for renewal.
Happy to give you some tips if you’re just stating .
I must have broke 5 or 6 bits where I used to forget turning on my router before starting

It’s very enjoyable hobby though
Cheers
Dan

[danwhite]

Hello and thank you for getting back to me. Nice to meet you. I will definitely look at that software you are using. The one that came with mine is called candle and I don’t understand it at all. So found another called easel which is very easy to use and learn with. So the main thing now is what software to use to design the shapes you want before sending it to easel that controls the cnc. I know this really is the basics but once I get past this bil I’ll be well away. Many thanks

[NikosR]

Hello.
I am new to the forum and I apologize for my English but it is a google translation from Greek to English.
I work with Vectric Aspire which I have learned and I find it quite easy.
mynewix and I use a router like yours but I avoid working with MDF because it produces a lot of dust (they say it is carcinogenic).
I have been working with my CNS for several years (around 2009) which is self-made from wood.
How can I upload photos?
I tried in a new message but I did not see anywhere that it says to upload photos.

[danwhite]

Hello I will look at that software. Some of them just seem really difficult to get use to

[NikosR]

Hello I will look at that software. Some of them just seem really difficult to get use to

"My friend, Aspire is very easy. Once you spend a little time with it, you'll get the hang of it.
I used to use ARTCAM, but Aspire has been a lifesaver for me.
Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who doesn't speak English and had to use Google Translate to read many PDF guides.
Anyway, I'm at your disposal for any help I can offer.
My only issue with the Forum is that I can't upload photos for some reason.

I'm here if you need anything."

[danwhite]

Thank you I really appreciate your offer of help. The main problem I’m having is finding a good software to design something on and then doing whatever it is you have to do to get it to the machine software. I know for someone that is experienced that must sound really simple to do but it’s the bit I can’t get.

[NikosR]

"I use Vectric Aspire and CorelDraw for line drawing. Both are relatively easy for hobbyist use, especially for 2D designs. Of course, Aspire and CorelDraw aren't AutoCAD or Fusion, but I've created all my designs using them. With Aspire, you can convert a 2D drawing into 3D using its various extrusion methods.

Which specific programs do you use?"

[danwhite]

Not using any specific program yet. So I bought the cnc a little 3018 as basic as you can get. You get some software with it called candle. Can’t get it to do anything. So found one called easel. Really easy to use you get a free month and they have loads of patterns you can use which I did trying out different cutters patterns and materials. So now I want to design something myself and I don’t want to start paying for something that is really hard to get use to. I will look at that software you have recommended. Once I get going on that I really want to get into it buying a big cnc and use it to make money

[danwhite]

Also some software I have tried before that looks good on an app on a Mac is no good because the cnc only works off windows

[NikosR]

The CAD software is unrelated to Mach3; I use Mach3 to run the CNC.
However, that has nothing to do with whichever design software you choose to use.
To give you an idea, my CNC is in the warehouse running on Windows 7.
I create the design and generate the G-code at home on Windows 10 using Vectric Aspire.

Are you perhaps referring to the connection between Mach3 and the computer?