Good reading material??

[tri4sale]

Hello all, I'm new to CNC and just order my PRSstandard 4x8 and have little over 3 weeks before I get to pick it up from the good folks in Durham and start having fun with it.

I've been reading the forums here and elsewhere :) and wondering if anyone knows of any good books (yeah, a real book, I'm old fashioned that way) that I could pick up at Amazon or Barnes and Nobles that talks about CNC woodworking in general. I know I could just search CNC but just wondering if anyone has read one they liked.

thanks, looking forward to spending more time than I should be on this site :)

[steve_g]

Daniel...
There are lots of good books out there on how to build a homemade CNC but few quality books on what to do with it after you build it! The problem as I see it is that people who are drawn to the "manual" arts are often visual learners and are uncomfortable expressing their ideas... Hang around here and you will meet gems with endless creativity who make my point!

Daniel, I know only one thing about you... You like to read! Perhaps if you glean, filter and learn you can write that book!

SG

[chiloquinruss]

You obviously have a computer so use the search feature here and read all of the posts from the masters here. Who are they? They are the ones who are quick to answer and not only give you lip service they give you lots of examples and pix and links and . . . . . . Try posts from Joe Crumley, Jack Jarvis and others whose post count to this forum are well over the 2000 mark! You can also download the documentation for your machine and read it a couple of times before arrival of the goodies. This also includes downloading the Bot software and run it in preview mode just to see what it looks and runs like. Above all have fun! Russ

[curtiss]

Probably best to visit a shop and have someone show you the first 50 things you need to know,

From there, you can go to your own shop and begin to learn other things the hard way...

[FSICM]

http://support.vectric.com/training-material/vcarve-pro
Shopbot training and this forum my two cents.

[srwtlc]

http://www.vectric.com/support/introduction-to-cnc.html

http://www.shopbottools.com/mProducts/WhatsCNC.htm

[myxpykalix]

Daniel,
When i got my bot I got a big thick manual on the assembly and use of the bot. See if you could get them to send that to you in advance as that is targeted and useful information for your specific tool. I caution you though, it may lead to far more questions that will become obvious once you start using your machine but may cause you confusion beforehand.

Frankly i'm not sure where my manual is, as i don't think i've cracked it open in years. Sometimes it's faster to come here and ask a question then try to find it in the manual especially since some things change and the documentation doesn't get changed quite as fast as the technology updates.

You'll find that certain individuals specialize aspects and tend to be the "go-to" guy for certain things like Brady for vacumn questions, ect.

So good luck and don't be afraid to ask any questions...even if they are stupid:D because we've ALL asked them!:eek:

[Bob Eustace]

As Jack always says " Google and uTube" are your friends just drop Shopbot in the box and watch several times everything that comes up. However a really good recent idea is to join one of TJs FREE Shopbot seminars. These are fantastic and as they are live you can ask the class! However learning the machine isnt near as hard as learning the software, so download it NOW and watch all forty four hours of tutorials on the Vectric site. Progress is fastest if you watch them on your iPad and follow along live on your intended design computer. You simply cant put a price on the value of this forum so never hesitate to ask the dumbest question. You will never ever get flamed!

[scottp55]

I just set up a desk top but here are two I wish I had studied BEFORE I got it. Not attaching one file but it is the shopbot user guide .pdf

[Red F]

Since you live so close to Durham, I would think strongly about going to one of the training sessions there early on. I went to one a couple of years ago and it helped me out immensely.

Also try to get in on any of TJ's training sessions online. I think he used to be a shop teacher, so he does a pretty good lesson.

[tri4sale]

Thanks for the advice. I've been watching the tuturials, reading the manuals, and playing with the software, and reading the forums. Was looking for a good book to sit on couch and read to rest the eyes from computer strain as I sit in front of computer all day long for work. Looks like there may not be a good book out there. I'm sure I'll be posting lots of questions here, in my forum readings I've seen that everyone seems to be very helpful and friendly!

[Bob Eustace]

Dan if you love reading why not print out the Vectric manual? Its a humungous document but is very clearly explained. Vcarve and Aspire have just been updated so this would be a worthwhile investment.

[genek]

Take TJ on line classes go to shop bot and take a class there as well.

Tj has classes each month on line, also you can go back and watch all of his classes that he has put on.

TJ is a outstanding instructor.