Book or online 'sort of beginner' resource for CNC machine setup/tooling/etc.

[forrestc]

Ok, I have a working CNC mill (actually a Taig 2019) with everything ready to go... but am looking for a resource to help me through a bit of the initial learning curve.

Over the years, I've done/been exposed to a fair bit of metalwork. I've machined various things on a manual mill, done various other fabrication tasks, and am able to carry on an intelligent conversation with the local machine shop. If this was a manual mill, I'd probably be able to muddle through. Unfortunately, I really need the CNC aspects for what I am doing (repeat production, etc).

Unfortunately, I seem to be lacking some specifics as far as 'techniques' go, in the CNC world. For instance, once you get a block of material on the machine, aligning the tool with the block seems challenging - three axis, plus skew, etc. I can eyeball it, but since my real goal here is moldmaking, and maybe some minor part fabrication, I probably need a bit higher accuracy than that. I'm sure there are techniques for this (and I've heard of a few of them), and I'm sure if I asked on here someone would help, BUT, I'd rather be a bit more self-sufficient.

So, what I'd like to find out is if there is a book or similar (website) which can be recommended as far as cnc mill operation - not programming - Something which covers all the things which those of you who do this on a fairly regular basis just know and do without even thinking.

So, ideas?

[Cmailco]

Not aware of any source on the internet, at least not one where the author's not trying to make a buck. However The CNC Workshop: A Multimedia Introduction to Computer Numerical Control is pretty good looking book on the basics. Thumbed through this a while back at the local Half-Price bookstore. I had a book from years back that I was going to recommend but it seems I've misplaced it. It covered the basics of CNC operation, along with basic programming practices and is what I'd consider to be a 'good' beginner guide without lots of history fluff and topics that aren't directly related to the meat and potatoes of operating/programming.

I've thought about covering some of this at my blog but haven't gotten around to it, and not sure I will. Since CNC has expanded so deeply into the 'hobbyist' market, it's tough to target an audience but probably the best bet for those of you in that 'desktop/hobbyist' boat, would be something specific to that end.

Best regards,
Chuck

[dblox]

I read this entire website prior to buying a machine.
http://www.jjjtrain.com/vms/index.html
Check out the "learning library".

I found it very helpfull.
I also studied these video's:
http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/127-machine-shop-4
Most of it will not apply to your machine but the techniques are largely the same for setting work offsets and heights, fixturing etc.
Very handy stuff.

[snowsescon]

Can I route 24 gauge steel on a Gerber Saber CNC Router? And what kind of drill bit should I use? speeds? feed rates?