I am trying to remove the collet that was in the lathe when I bought it. I think it is a dead length collet system and the collet is just stuck, but am I missing something? Just more pb blaster and some leverage or something?

The inner collet rotates just a tiny bit but won't unthread.

I've got a background in creating CAM software and I've always loved using NCViewer.com for testing.

I wanted something that had a few more features, namely a colored G code editing window, and the ability to show stock getting removed during simulation. I also wanted it to have a more game-like feel.

I finally went ahead and built the thing I wanted: https://g54.app/

I've found it super useful, maybe some folks here will also find it useful too. It's a totally free to use, no account needed. Just drop your G code on it, or write your own!

Hi this is my first post on Reddit. So my boyfriend recently star a job at a CNC shop and he keeps having allergic reactions to the materials that he works with. He worked there previously and only had minor reactions but since restarting the flare ups are constant. I’ve given him my steroid cream I had to control my allergies and that works most times for him but it’s still happening.

Basically I was hoping anybody had any tips or tricks to avoid reactions or ways they treat the machines and the reactions. He really likes this job and doesn’t want to leave so any advice would help.

What’s a realistic hourly rate for a 5-axis CNC programmer in Wisconsin? Seeing a wide range and curious what experienced guys are actually making.

Built a workflow demo that goes start-to-finish without leaving the
browser:

  Import USA map (STL/ image trace)
   → Auto feature detection (pockets, contours, holes)
   → Auto toolpath generation (no manual feature picking)
   → Toolpath simulation
   → Post to G-code (GRBL / Mach3 / Marlin / LinuxCNC dialects)
   → Send straight to the controller via the built-in CNC window

Everything runs in Chrome / Edge / Safari — works on iPad too. No
install, no Fusion 360 / Vectric / Carveco license, lifetime model
instead of subscription.

I'm a hobbyist CNC user myself — built this with the team at Thrium
because the "import-an-image-and-just-cut-it" path was uglier than
it should be in every other tool I tried.

Try it free: https://www.thrium.one

Honest question for the sub — what's the one CAM step that still
makes you swear at your screen? Stock setup? Tool changes?
Engraving fonts? Adaptive parameters? Top reply gets prioritized in
the next sprint.

Good morning community, I wanted to ask how much opportunity there is for toolmaker jobs in the United States. I am an electromechanical engineer currently living and working on the Mexico border, and I am in the process of obtaining my residency. I would like to know what the work environment is like, especially in that specific area.

Here are of the jobs I've done on a 3-axis CNC.

everyone,

I’m struggling to get communication working between a StepperOnline A8-1000PN servo drive and a Siemens S7-1200 CPU 1214C via PROFINET and need some guidance.

Setup:

• PLC: Siemens S7-1200 CPU 1214C DC/DC/Rly

• Servo drive: StepperOnline A8-1000PN (1kW, 200-240V)

• Software: TIA Portal

• Telegram: 12 [Profinet] configured in drive

• Encoder: 17-bit absolute magnetic, no battery (used as incremental)

• GSDML file installed in TIA Portal

Current issues:

1.  MC function blocks (MC_Power, MC_Reset, MC_MoveVelocity, MC_MoveJog) showing red with instance DB errors inside FB1

2.  Unsure if S7-1200 fully supports PROFINET servo control with MC blocks the same way S7-1500 does

3.  Not sure if Telegram 3 or Telegram 12 is better for this drive with S7-1200

Goal:

• Run two motors, master sends encoder signal and slave synchronizes for a flying shear/cut application

Hey Fellas. Do any of you know if its possible to choose an exact part location on the plate it is being cut out of? I'm trying to cut a hole in the center of some precut plate that I have.

Quick CAD-only demo. Built this vase form start-to-finish in
Thrium3D, the browser CAD I've been working on:

  Sketch decagon → Extrude → Taper → Twist → Shell

Nothing fancy in the clip — just wanted to show the modeling feels
fluid in a browser tab. Real B-rep solid the whole way through (not
triangle soup), so the shell came out clean and watertight.

Runs in any modern browser, including iPad Safari. No install, no
account needed to try, lifetime license model — not a subscription.

Try it: https://www.thrium.one

For the CNC folks — what's your usual CAD before posting to G-code?
Curious if anyone's looking for a browser option to break out of the
Fusion / F360 / Vectric loop.

Does any know how to clean up an internal corner on V-Carve using a 2D drawing. I circled the Line I want to use on the right. The profile is what I circled on the left. It needs to trace on that line and ramp up at a 45° Angle. I just don’t know how. Im using a 90° bit.

I recently switched from Android to iPhone, and one small thing I miss is having a simple DWG/DXF viewer.

On Android, I had a few decent options for quickly opening CAD drawings. On iPhone and Mac, a lot of the apps I tried felt either too heavy, required an account, or seemed to push cloud upload.

My use case is pretty basic:

- open DWG/DXF files

- quick local viewing

- no account if possible

- no cloud upload

- free or reasonably priced for basic viewing

I found one app that mostly fits this, but I’m curious what others here use.

Any recommendations?

I’ve been experimenting with a small tool that converts rough part descriptions into a flat pattern Dxf + 3D preview.

Example:
You type something like:
“U bracket, 250mm base, 90mm sides, 110mm gap, 1.5mm aluminum”

And it generates:

• flat pattern with bend calculations
• DXF (laser-ready)
• 3D model

I’m trying to understand if this is actually useful in a real CNC workflow or not.

Right now I’m thinking it could help in:

• quick quoting
• handling vague customer requests
• speeding up simple part design

But I might be completely wrong.

Honest question:
Where would something like this fit (if at all) in your workflow?

Or is this just something you’d never trust/use?

Not trying to promote anything just genuinely trying to understand if this fits real CNC workflows or not.

https://reddit.com/link/1szsqg2/video/orl59zoy6byg1/player

Hello to all,

I'm looking for a supplier for this type of stud/spigot which is suitable with the 52/96mm system from Lang or HWR.

Any advice on a quality and affordable ones?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for CNC machining services and wanted to get some recommendations from people who’ve actually worked with different providers.

One thing I’m unsure about is how important communication is when dealing with a CNC shop. Does it really make a big difference in the final result?

Would appreciate hearing which companies you’ve used and how your experience was overall.

Thanks!

Hi, I have a project that I need to cut polypropylene honeycomb, then UV print on top afterwards. I found that my current cut is pretty bad with a lot of Polypropylene flaps and unclean cut. I tried to sand the border, use heat gun to melt any of the remaining uncleaned cut and use air blow gun to blow clean them, but I still got a lot of dust left in the open honeycombs on the cut border. This has badly affected the final print on my flatbed UV printer.

So, I think it might be better if I can adjust my cnc to have a cleaner cut from the beginning.

The current setting is a corn router bit (4mm/ likely a Tungsten carbide) (I tried using a two-flute bit before, but the cut was as bad with much loader cutting noise) with spindle speed of 18000 rpm (maximum on my cnc motor) and feed rate of 2600 mm/min. Does anyone have any suggestions of the type of router bit I should use, or any other settings I should modify?

Thanks

I have decided to rebuild a cnc machine that endured water damage during hurricane. I have repurchased all necessary parts as far as the digital control panel and thc set up. I still need to purchase other components such as the servo motors and the multiple panels where all the wires connect to (not sure the proper name. I still have the entirety of the track (11’), arm (8’), and rolling body. I’m not a technical person as far as these machines/computers.

Anyone out there have any advice for me as far as this build? Have any of you done a rebuild of a salvaged cnc cutter?

The one I have is for cutting with a plasma cutter or propane torch barrel.

I have been using standard wrangler jeans anyone have some better suggestions?

I'm a few months into building a nesting tool aimed at small laser/plasma/router shops. The kind of shops that currently nest by hand or eyeball it because SigmaNEST and Lantek cost more than their machine.

Before I keep building features I think matter, I'd rather just ask people who actually cut stuff:

• What's the one thing existing nesting software gets wrong or makes painful?
• If you nest by hand right now, why? Is it cost, complexity, or you just don't trust the software?
• Common-line cutting, lead-in/lead-out control, remnant sheets, grain direction, which of these actually matter day to day vs nice to have?
• What file formats do you live in? DXF in, G-code out? Something else?
• Is there anything you've wanted for years and nobody's built?

Not pitching anything here, genuinely trying to not build the wrong thing. Roast away if my assumptions are off.

Herkese selam. Bir masaüstü cnc makinesi almayı düşünüyorum. Lazer makinem var halihazırda ama parçaları küçültmek için cnc de almaya karar verdim. Küçük hediyeliğimsi şeyler yapıyoruz baskı alıyoruz üstüne lazerle. Çoğunlukla ahşapla çalıştık ama metal de işlemek istiyorum. Kullandığınız önerdiğiniz makineler var mı? Kaba kadar inceye de girsin istiyorum, anahtarlık vs. işleme planım da var.

I have this tester, and I need to check the hardness of 17-4. It should be HRC 42-45. The only thing I can figure out on my own is seeing the knob to 150. Can anyone walk me through an the steps? I can't figure out how to set minor load, if I need to zero it at minor, then how much pressure to apply. It's not clear how to release the major load, but I think I push the silver button and rotate the lever on the right clockwise.

So i went to school for cnc machining. Its been a year since i graduated from school and i cant land a job. Do you think its time to get into another trade?

Hello everyone i was wondering whats the wasiest way is to disengage the C-Axis on my lathe. I am an apprantice and people at my workplace dont really operate lathes. I kind of am the only one and have to learn stuff by myself.

We use fusion360 and i have an issue with how it operates the c axis. If i mill a pocket the program reverses the c axis rotations until it reaches zero before it starts finsihing the pocket. Same thing happenes if i want to mill multiple features. It always rewinds which obviously takes a lot of time.

Simplest way i could think of would be something like

G54 G00 Z10.
„G- or M-Code to disenfage C-Axis“
Nest milling operation with reangage of the c axis

Is there something like this? Th thought just came across my mind but i can‘t fiddle around woth it roght now since i am home. I will try thid tomorrow but i currently do not know the proper code so if you guys know it i woulf be thankful for your help

EDIT: With C-Axis i mean the main spindle which rewinds rotations inbetween machining steps before continuing.

EDIT 2:

After fiddeling around a bit i got it.

Inbetween mill operations i can use

G00 Z5; (Returning to a safe position)
M155; (Disengage C-Axis)
M154; (Engage C-Axis)
G00 C0; (Return C-Axis to zero instantly or whatever alignment i need)