New CNC user mistakes and info

[ngwagwa]

Hi, There is a free program called Camotics https://camotics.org/ which is a 3 axis simulator, this can be used as an initial toolpath check.
Instead of cheap pine you can use Kingspan insulation boards (though I haven't looked at the health and safety rules regarding machining this) it is firm enough to cut yet soft enough to give if you accidentally plunge in too fast/far.

[Voicecoil]

Instead of cheap pine you can use Kingspan insulation boards (though I haven't looked at the health and safety rules regarding machining this) it is firm enough to cut yet soft enough to give if you accidentally plunge in too fast/far.

Whilst nowhere near as toxic as say spraying polyurethane varnish, if you're making fine dust it's still potentially a bit nasty so some form of extraction wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Pilsbury]

Voicecoil. It’s amazing how only until fairly recently dust extraction has become a big thing. I’m on that. Health is important especially when cutting stuff like MDF. Plus my workshop is all new and tidy. Even went to sand outside the other day. Won’t last!

[Pilsbury]

Cheers ngwagwa. I shall check out that program. Looks like a good check to see nothing ridiculous will happen. I shall also consider things like kingspan after looking into it.