Getting Started with CNC: Personal Digital Fabrication with Shapeoko and Other Computer-Controlled Routers

by Edward Ford

Getting Started with CNC is the definitive introduction to working with affordable desktop and benchtop CNCs, written by the creator of the popular open hardware CNC, the Shapeoko. Accessible 3D printing introduced the masses to computer-controlled additive fabrication. But the flip side of that is subtractive instead of adding material to create a shape like a 3D printer does, a CNC starts with a solid piece of material and takes away from it. Although inexpensive 3D printers can make great things with plastic, a CNC can carve highly durable pieces out of a block of aluminum, wood, and other materials. This book covers the fundamentals of designing for--and working with--affordable ($500-$3000) CNCs.

Genres: Technology, Nonfiction

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2014

Reviews

[Mark Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but excellent introduction to CNC

I assembled a ShapeOko 3 earlier this year and immediately consumed everything I could find in all the forums and YouTube channels, carving 2.5 and 3D objects in woods, plastics, and aluminum. I wish I had had this book getting started. It is a quick, enjoyable read but packs a lot of great info in one place.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I run a library Makerspace that has a CNC machine. This was very helpful in helping me understand what the machine does. Now I need to practice!

[Matthew Waclawik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from a History major.

Ford does a Decent job on this book. The writing could be improved. As a company founder myself, I expected more of the story regarding the maker community, what motivated Ford, and detailed steps and mistakes to learn from. Get Winston to write a book. If he doesn’t want to do it because he hates tutorials, reach out. I am happy to help write it for him.

[Bruce Lowther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starter guide to terms and concepts in subtractive CNC. Not comprehensive but enough to get me started without making too many false starts.

[Adam Gardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise introduction to CNC. Recommended to any who are even remotely interested. Not too much information as to be overwhelming, but enough to be informative.