New, with questions

[COBOB]

Hi, I ordered a Buddy last week. Obviously I have to wait a while for delivery. I am trying to read this entire site. I have lots to learn.
My first question. Do any of you have any experience with precisebits.com
They are just a few miles up the road. It would be really convenient. The prices look good. It their tooling any good?
Thanks,
Bob

[cabnet636]

precise bits is a well accepted company among many here!! the collets for the pc routers are first class, i understand they have upgraded the wrench and i intend to get one.

jim

[mick_martin]

My first question. Do any of you have any experience with precisebits.com They are just a few miles up the road. It would be really convenient. The prices look good. It their tooling any good? Thanks,
Bob

I use precisebit also, good quality and very little runout.

Mick

[michael_schwartz]

Yes I bought the precision collets for my PC router about a year ago and I am very pleased. I would consider these to be a must have.

I buy my most of my bits from centurion tool but if I needed a bit for a special application I would definitely get in touch with PreciseBits

[COBOB]

Thanks for the replies. I will try them out.

[paul_z]

I also use them. The 1/8 collet is extremely accurate and it allows you to use the wide variety of inexpensive 1/8 shank bits.

Paul Z

[dana_swift]

Robert

My experience with PreciseBits is also very good.

Furthermore- I'm looking forward to your future contributions to the forum. I own a BT-32 and do a lot of cutting with it. If you have questions about your machine you will usually get answers very quickly from the forum (usually correct too!). Tech support is worth their weight in gold when you become an owner, their answers are even more likely to be correct!

What are you intending to make with your bot? When is it due to arrive? Which buddy model did you get?

Welcome!

[COBOB]

Hi, I appreciate the response. I am happy to hear the good news about precisebits. I like supporting Colorado businesses when I can. Not to start any political arguments but I like his stance on supporting Arizona also.

I ordered a Buddy Standard 32. That was a week and a half ago. The lady told me it would be about 4 weeks. I am straining at the bit, probably like all of you were. Two and a half to three weeks left.

I have never owned a CNC but have had a laser for about 5 years. I have worked in graphic arts for the past 20 years and that background gave me a advantage with the laser, hoping it will with the ShopBot also. No apologies for the Buddy 32. I wanted a bigger machine but I am working out of my garage and there are too many tools out there. Limited space for a CNC. My goal is just to have fun. If I ever make a buck or two, that would be good too.

I have been a woodcarver for the past 15 years. A full time job kind of puts a damper on that though. One thing I want to do is a carved fireplace mantle. I love signs. I will probably do a lot of signs, mostly for fun.

I purchased Aspire and am most impressed. In another life I was a programmer, COBOL and Fortran if that tells you how long ago.

I looked at a lot of equipment. I hung out and watched. I consider the well known support from ShopBot and the support from the people on this Forum a great asset. That helped a great deal to sway my decision. I read a long time ago that ShopBot owners were fanatics (and that was said lovingly). With owners feeling that strongly, I thought it was the place to be.

Thanks for your feedback.

Bob

[chiloquinruss]

You can also download the Shopbot software and run your 'virtual' bot in preview mode. You can create in Aspire and then see what the bot is going to do with the file you've just created. When my machine arrived I was already up to speed and started cutting the first day I had it up and running. Russ

[COBOB]

Thanks Russ, I will get that stuff downloaded and try it out.
I appreciate it.

[michael_schwartz]

Get a pair of digital calipers too. I go as far as to keep a spare on hand as I rely on them heavily and use them for each and every project I cut.

[COBOB]

Good advice I am sure. I have been reading that accurate input of material thickness is very important.

Thanks

[cowboy1296]

what part of colorado are you in, i am in south central west of pueblo in the sangres and hoorah for arizona for at least trying to fight the system.

[COBOB]

I am in Colorado Springs. Sometimes I wish I lived in Arizona.
Bob

[meatbal80]

We here in Arizona appreciate the support from Colorado. Thanks

[COBOB]

I am new at this stuff. Someone recently mentioned PreciseBits.com
When I went to his web site and saw the support statement at the bottom of the page, I knew I was going to support him too.
Bob

[cowboy1296]

Robert I am so far out in the sticks that supplies normally come from the local ace hardware. Have you found stores in the springs that sell materials or hardware that we might use in cnc. i get to the springs about 10 times a year and would like to check some out.

[COBOB]

Tooling wise, I feel pretty lucky. With Precise Bits just up the road, quick source for good tooling. My brother has a machine shop in his back yard, separate building. Just across the fence from him is a guy that makes tooling. He has 5 axis cnc's and will make any shape or size you want, from carbide. I guess he supplies a lot of the machine shops in town. I can't remember the name but will get it. He also sharpens tooling. My brother said he is pretty reasonable.

I feel like I live in the desert as far as wood goes. Other than Ace Hardware and the big box stores there is CO Lumber just off North Nevada, across from the Dog Track. They have about any species you could want, usually 4/4 or bigger. Some of the boards go 12 foot, very few as short as 8 foot. Good stuff and the prices aren't bad for this area. I have been a woodturner and carver for lots of years. I am always jealous of those guys back east with all the wood at their fingertips.

As far as Foam and Plastics, there is a place on Fillmore. They are really proud of their stuff. I usually order plastics from Delvies in Utah. It is cheaper than them, even with shipping. I used to use a lot of Acrylic on my Laser. I got tired of the Laser business a couple of years ago, nobody wanted to pay enough to bother turning the thing on.

Luckily, over the years I have acquired enough good power tools to resaw, plane, and create any wood sizes I need. The only thing I was missing was a CNC. Now all I need is one of those Hand Held Laser Swords for cutting large sheets and stuff (as soon as they invent them(GRIN)).

Next time you get up this way maybe we can get together for coffee or lunch or something.

Bob

[cowboy1296]

In late june, not sure of the dates yet i have to make two runs to the springs. the first on a monday with limited time and again on saturday with more time to spare.