Chosing your XCarve
The first question has to be the one of size, the x-carve comes in 500, 750 and 1000mm versions; I chose the larger, 1000mm version which was a decision that I had based on my experience buying and using a dedicated laser cutter/engraver, where I was on a very tight budget and started out with the smaller of the versions that was available, with about a 12x12" work area. Although I had a clear idea of what I wanted the machine for, I soon found the work area to be limiting and had regrets of not buying a bigger model, a mistake that I wouldn't repeat with the x-carve. Having read many posts in the Facebook community, the 1000mm is certainly a popular choice with many members modifying their machines to make them even bigger than the stock 1000mm.
Having purchased the 1000mm XCarve, from here, please understand that is the machine which I am referring to.
When reviewing the listing on the XCarve site (and subsequently, the UK Reseller) I found that there are quite a few optional extras, above the "base" machine; I added the sideboard, a bunch of bit packs and did not add the dust collection. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and my advise on the initial purachse would be to skip the sideboard and bit pack, but definitely include dust collection (perhaps as an aftermarket addition from another seller) and here's why...
The sideboard is little more than a piece of 18mm MDF that is bolted to some extra extrusions, for the controller to sit on ... any half decent hobbyist could make their own for a considerable saving and I have seen a number of users who have gone the extra step of designing their workbench with the controller mounted underneath the worksurface, keeping it away from the dust.
If you pick a couple of the Inventables "Starter Packs" of bits, you may be buying them at a discount, but (as a beginner) you're going to find quite a few duplicate bits and a number of bits that aren't that well suited to your arsenal. Even though they're not at the top of the price bracket for CNC bits, it's also very disappointing to break them (and I have a small graveyard of broken bits). My advice would be to pick and chose a few of each of the following Inventable bits (below) and then shop around for some suitable additions.
Dust, yeah, lots of that ... I really wish that I had added dust collection from outset and have since cobbled together my own, using a cheap shop vac, a Chinese cyclone, blue barrel and some anti-static hosing (refer to Badger Workshop on YouTube, which is where I took the idea from). I will soon be adding an after market dust boot.
The sideboard is little more than a piece of 18mm MDF that is bolted to some extra extrusions, for the controller to sit on ... any half decent hobbyist could make their own for a considerable saving and I have seen a number of users who have gone the extra step of designing their workbench with the controller mounted underneath the worksurface, keeping it away from the dust.
If you pick a couple of the Inventables "Starter Packs" of bits, you may be buying them at a discount, but (as a beginner) you're going to find quite a few duplicate bits and a number of bits that aren't that well suited to your arsenal. Even though they're not at the top of the price bracket for CNC bits, it's also very disappointing to break them (and I have a small graveyard of broken bits). My advice would be to pick and chose a few of each of the following Inventable bits (below) and then shop around for some suitable additions.
- 1/8" two flute straight bit
- 1/8" spiral upcut
- 1/16" spiral downcut
- 90' vBit
- 60' vBit
Dust, yeah, lots of that ... I really wish that I had added dust collection from outset and have since cobbled together my own, using a cheap shop vac, a Chinese cyclone, blue barrel and some anti-static hosing (refer to Badger Workshop on YouTube, which is where I took the idea from). I will soon be adding an after market dust boot.