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I became interested in CNC around a year and a half ago and discovered a short course at my local Makerspace. I had developed a project and was able to utilize their commercial 4×8′ machine to complete it.
I was fascinated and bought a smaller home machine to continue learning and making stuff on.
I would tell anybody that 90% of the work is done in the CAD design and modeling software before you ever touch the machine. The last 10% is bits/endmills, feeds and speeds, and other trade secrets. But 90 percent of it is CAD. There are easy programs for basic tasks (like drilling holes), but to get the most out of a CNC, you need to be proficient in CAD, which takes time to master (and aggravation – these packages are hard).
Achieving success is highly satisfying. Complex and detailed patterns and precise work are now possible with this fantastic tool. On the route to becoming comfortable and productive, you’ll break a lot of things and toss away a lot of projects and stock. It’s a lot like beginning anything.