CNC Router Essentials: The Basics for Mastering the Most Innovative Tool in Your Workshop

This book gives you detailed training with step by step instructions. I highly recommend it if you’re new to CNC.

I bought this book shortly after I bought my first CNC router. It has explained a lot of things for me and helps me understand the function of the machine. Looking forward to putting it in use but I am very happy with what it has taught me so far. Definitely recommended.

This book could be more accurately entitled "V-Carve Pro: The Basics" as the majority (80-90%) of the book consists of screen grabs of doing a few simple projects using V-Carve Pro. This is nice for people who do not have fast enough internet to view the HUNDREDS of free online video tutorials available for V-Carve, including many covering EVERY type of project shown.The most frequently asked questions by new CNC users are about Feeds and Speeds, and the basics are covered very briefly, but not in a way useful for people to figure out what works on THEIR machines ('just follow the manufacturers recommendations' is about the extent of the advice given).This is a better book than the Make ones (no typos, better quality illustrations), but should still be considered a very basic intro, and will not enable anyone to "Master" what truly can be the most innovative tool in the workshop. No discussion about basics of g-code, post processors, what to look for in buying a machine, fixturing parts to work on ends, joinery using the CNC, climb vs. conventional cutting or anything other than the basics of making a couple of signs.What's included is good. The problem is with what's missing.

Randy Johnson is one of the best resources for Woodworking CNC work out there. I've attended his classes and he's a great guy too. Buy the book, and attend one of his classes if you get the opportunity. A wealth of knowledge in not only the milling and technical techniques but in the software side as well.I'll also add that Randy is traditional fine wood worker and has written countless articles for fine woodworking magazines over the years. This is unusual for the topic as most times CNC advise is coming from some millennial who wants to make iPod cases or plastic nose rings with their CNC. Randy is a classical carving expert and knows how to apply modern time saving skills to traditional woodworking and that's the value add with this book, and Randy's knowledge in general. He is very technically capable but also a master of hand technique. He's not just doing stuff with computers and machines to do stuff with computers and machines. He's aware of time saving, quality enhancing applications for the technology to increase operational output speed and overall quality.

The author has a good explanation of the basics. There are 4 projects in the book. If you complete these projects, then you will have an excellent start on CNC machining. However, I would caution on one item in the book. The author correctly states that climb milling is dangerous to do by hand, but then states it is safe to do with a CNC machine. Perhaps if you are using a large CNC that is anchored in concrete this is true. However, for these relatively small machines being used for wood working it is extremely dangerous. I have changed any programs that used climb cutting to conventional. If you can't change the program, and feel like you have to use it anyway, slow down the feed and reduce the depth of cut to a 1/16th of an inch.

If you are thinking of spending $3000 on a CNC router and have no previous CNC experience then read this book first. It covers all of the steps of a CNC project from design though completion. It starts with a simple project that introduces designing your project, creating tool paths, and saving the completed post processor files that are the machine specific code that runs your project on a CNC router.Reading through this book will either convince you to buy a CNC machine, or make you realize that you are not ready to jump into it yet. Either way it is $25 well spent.This book is especially helpful if you plan to buy a machine that uses Vectric VCarve software.

The book is great for the beginner in CNC. They do teach specifically V Carve Pro. I have V Carve Desktop, but most things apply so far. I am about half way through the book.Be aware that there is some errata and they need to publish an errata corrections sheet. None of it so far is way off base or dangerous.If my opinion changes by the end of the book I will modify my reviewUPDATE:I upgraded to VCarve Pro for various reasons. I do wish they had given more experience related tips on bits and more specific info on setting XY Datum point. If you are carving a finished piece of material (already cut to size) you have to choose xy carefully.The errata sheet is still needed.

The book doesn't contain the fit to page or zoom capabilities as other Kindle ebooks. Nearly impossible to read due to limited screen size on Laptop. I will rate the book content once I can find a way to read the ebook version.UPDATE: The book is very good if you plan to use V-Carve Pro. It has good examples to follow using V-Carve Pro. i would not recommend the Kindle version if you use the windows 10 Kindle App. "tt", "ft" and some other letter combinations appears as squares in the print. As stated in my first review, the Kindle version doesn't allow fit to page, zoom, or font changes which make the book very difficult to read on Windows 10 Kindle reader.

Well written, good illustrations and so far accurate.

all Good

The book seems to be very nice but the bad rendering makes it impossible to read. The pictures show typical errors across all the book. Many characters are not visible and the spaces between lines are inconsistent. I tried in Kindel for Ipad Pro and Kindle for Mac but it looks bad in both. I would like my money back.

10/10 i haven't finished the book yet, but it's very good to see what can be achieved.As yet i haven't bought a cnc machine, and it's good to know what you can do and how to do it.Thanks amazonEspecially nicole ,concerning fusion 360

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