Looking to Learn

[kevinkev4]

Is there a good book or tutorial out there for a beginner or semi beginner? Or demo software for learning to use the Shopbot router?
I have done 2D cad and some 2D CNC routing on a Gerber Profile, but, some of the pics I have seen on this forum look very complicated. The photos and carvings look awesome., but, it looks like the programming would be a nightmare to do.
I’m impressed with the quality of the products Shopbot produces.
I realize I can’t just buy a machine plug it in and produce these masterpieces with a few keystrokes and some clicks of a mouse.
I’m hopping the learning is not just hands on, although this forum looks like it would be a GREAT help. I was looking for something to look into while I’m on the fence about a machine purchase.
I did come across this book. Easy CNC A Beginner's Guide to CNC by David Benson. Is anyone familiar with this? Is it worth $35.00 or is there something better? Any input would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.

Kevin

[zeykr]

Go to vectric site (www.vectric.com (http://www.vectric.com)) and download their demo software so you can play with it. The preview is very good so you can see what you would have cut with out wasting material.

[kevinkev4]

Ken,

Thanks!! This is great. The video tutorials help a lot to get started. I downloaded all 3 trial programs and tutorials.
Got to go back and play with it some more. It’s fun until it becomes work.
Thanks again.

Kevin

[gerard]

Kevin, although my machine is on order, I still do not have one, so my hands on experience is nil, my advice is to do the same as I have done, read, read read everything you can, both in this forum, as well as other cnc related forums, post in the looking for a shopbot thread, and see if you cant find anyone local who has a machine already, I was lucky to find someone within 20 miles of me who invited me to his house, he spent a couple hours with me, showing me his shop, computer setup, and of course the shopbot, in that short amount of time, I came away with more of an understanding of the machine than I had developed from all other ways.
whenever people post pictures of whatever they may have made, I am always curious to know, how long did it take to design, what software did you use, and how long did it take on the machine.

[knight_toolworks]

also buy material to practice on and bits that are ok to break. but it is good to cut material you plan on cutting. say practice a bit on mdf but I cut a lot of tropical woods and going from mdf to them was a whole new learning curve.
remember a big part of the cnc router is learning cut speeds and depth bit selection machine setup and a really critical and endless part is holding the material in place.

[kevinkev4]

thanks guys,
your input is helpful. i did find a shopbot owner within 1/2 hr. from me and he said he would be glad to let me come over to see it in action.
and i have been learning with the vcarve (vertic) programs, ken posted link above. i get on it and several hours go by in what seems like minutes.
i know there is a lot more to learn but i will keep up with the forums. everyone's knowledge and experience is priceless.

thanks, kevin