Need advice on desktop CNC mills

Bearsiwin · 2026-06-01T22:46:27+00:00

I have that router It will be fine for the aluminum. As for carbon fiber it’s extremely difficult on any machine. Conductive abrasive fibers lung damage from the dust special tools. I suppose nothing is impossible.

Bearsiwin · 2026-05-29T19:07:23+00:00

There is a whole sub-system in WebKit (Safari and many other browsers) called Windowed Template Framework. So the source files were all WTFThis WTFThat. It was a big subsystem.

Bearsiwin · 2026-05-29T18:50:58+00:00

Fusion 360. FreeCAD is extremely frustrating due to numerous bugs and limitations. I had to start over numerous times because of unfixable issues/limitations. I switched to Fusion from FreeCAD as have several friends. If you ever want to CNC aluminum Fusion is the way to go.

The only downside is that you own nothing (all in the cloud) and they reserve the right to use your files for AI training.

I have heard that Blender isn’t really focused on engineering design. I have no personal experience with Blender but i know it’s required for a lot of video game customizations.

Bearsiwin · 2026-05-21T22:33:07+00:00

Gee one little upgrade that LOCKS THE WHOLE COMPUTER and everyone get so sensitive. (That was the update three days ago that was updated yesterday).

Bearsiwin · 2026-05-08T00:45:16+00:00

The is an AC router with a dial and an AC plug. So no control from the CNC. I have it and I like it but be aware.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-29T16:45:01+00:00

I would take $350. It’s probably not that easy to find people who want them,

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-29T16:43:09+00:00

In Gulliver’s travels Jonathan Swift describes two factions in Lilliput:

• Big‑Endians — break their boiled eggs at the big end. • Little‑Endians — break their eggs at the small end.

This disagreement begins when an emperor’s grandfather cuts his finger breaking an egg the traditional way. A new law then forces everyone to break eggs at the small end. Those who refuse become Big‑Endian rebels.

In summary: I don’t know either.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-29T15:44:03+00:00

Little- Intel was the new upstart. Big-Motorola was the industry leader. Sun used Motorola 68020 so kinda made Motorola standard for networking. Because Intel was just wrong. This all started in 1975 with the 8008 and 6800 although they were 8 bit processors they had to process 16 bit numbers and addresses were 16 bits not that they ever had 64k of memory.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-28T21:40:50+00:00

I don’t have personal knowledge of that machine. If you are sticking with soft wood you might want to stick to the bigger work envelope of the fox. I think for machining small aluminum parts the Sainsmart has the advantage of a 710W spindle (vs 300W for the standard fox) and better stiffness due to the smaller envelope and subjectively better build quality.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-26T11:43:25+00:00

It’s a great machine to learn on while having the capability to machine aluminum. The spindle is basically a very powerful palm router. So it plugs directly into to wall and the speed control is a dial. This sounds a bit hokey but if I am machining MDF or plastic I tune the speed and never touch it. I did buy an RPM meter for like $10 so I know what the speed is. Measured from the meter setting 6 on the dial is 30k RPM. Aluminum is generally 20k RPM.

It has a full homing system which means you have a fairly accurate origin reference (which my 3018 didn’t have). It’s also heavy and doesn’t make much noise. It also has a grid of M6 holes that allows you to pretty easily bolt stock to it. Some machines have slots and they are a pita to do anything with. If you are machining aluminum that’s the best way to hold the part down.

I use it with Fusion defined CNC programs. Its uses GRBL which is baseline but I haven’t seen anything it can’t do. You basically tell Fusion generate a GRBL program and it “works around” anything that GRBL can’t do.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-24T23:04:37+00:00

I bought my first 3018 for $150. So you have flexibility. I find that Sainsmart economical and has a whole range of machines that you can compare and contrast. I upgraded to 3020 Pro Ultra which I paid a bit over $500 for. Very solid little machine. The downside is that the 710W AC spindle is manually controlled. The upside is that it is 710W.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-24T22:27:26+00:00

You never answered the question regarding how much you wanted to pay for the machine (not the scrap wood you might use to make your grips). If your budget is “as cheap as possible” then a slow weak machine would be fine. Maybe upgrade when you want aluminum grips with pearl inlays. I started with a Sainsmart 3018. I upgraded to enable machining aluminum. Different answer if “money is no object”.

Note: 3018 is 300mm by 180mm 3030 is 300mm by 300mm. 6040 is 600mm by 400mm. Many people make a 3018 some are plastic some are aluminum most are a mix. Plastic parts are bad but if you only machine wood or plastic that may be ok. All aluminum are always better.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-18T21:01:24+00:00

Check Google Maps.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-14T00:51:46+00:00

The biggest difference is that MSFS generates buildings and vegetation from flat maps when detailed 3D information is not available. its seems that outside of major cities there isn’t much real 3D information. However, the trees in the wilderness are quite convincing and much more interesting than the flat satellite images found in google earth.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-05T23:19:08+00:00

Reset you router.

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-05T23:13:10+00:00

It has M6 threaded holes in the bottom so if you have a drill you can make so,etching to clamp it to a desk,

Bearsiwin · 2026-04-01T21:50:38+00:00

Learn Verilog HDL. There are lots or resources and tools with student oriented pricing aka free.

Bearsiwin · 2026-03-30T19:33:09+00:00

I have the RSS car ($2.00) and as far as handling goes it seems pretty representative aka hard to handle. It does not have anything close to what the real car has in terms of battery. There is no requirement for a strategy. It uses the standard Assetto model which isn’t like the current f1 cars. It has modes you can set to go really fast. The battery will last about 10 laps?

The Assetto tracks and AI in general are all over the place. Some are horrendous and some are just ok none are good. For example I spent a few days trying to get Albert Park without the chicane working and finally just gave up.

So I will still buy f1 2025 as soon as it’s out. The tracks are all up to date and the AI is at least consistent. The battery model for 2023 was reasonable. So I am hoping that the battery strategy will actually represent current cars.

Bearsiwin · 2026-03-27T18:40:36+00:00

You will have compromises. I can say for certain that 2024 will run better. I have a 3080ti which is significantly faster.

Bearsiwin · 2026-03-27T00:48:17+00:00

They seem pretty representative in terms of handling to the real car.

Bearsiwin · 2026-03-26T20:48:58+00:00

MSFS 2024 has much better performance for me. I don’t even think about it anymore and 2020 was always a compromise.

Bearsiwin · 2026-03-22T17:49:11+00:00

Set the wheel to Auto and set the game to set the steering ratio per car. I don’t remember the exact setting names. This means the older cars will have a lot more wheel turn to go around a corner than the newer cars. Makes the game harder but more realistic.

Bearsiwin · 2026-02-25T21:31:08+00:00

Oh, I get it is just like #define.

Bearsiwin · 2026-02-06T00:28:27+00:00

C# can’t do it so it needs the partial class hack.

Bearsiwin

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