| Hobbyists get into CNC for many different | | | | a problem, but stayed because I love the |
| reasons. It really has a lot to offer as a | | | | whole process of it. I like to design |
| hobby. There are many challenges to it and | | | | things. I like to build things. I like to |
| that is what draws in many people. This is | | | | make money. I like the challenge. I like |
| not something you do just to pass the time. | | | | the whole enchilada. That is what I want to |
| There is a result in mind. | | | | share with you. |
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| Some people make it to Hobby CNC through a | | | | What personal attributes will help you with |
| side door. They come from areas like Combat | | | | CNC? |
| Robot and RC Modeling. There are many small, | | | | |
| precise parts in these hobbies, which CNC is | | | | I get this question a lot. How do I know if |
| perfect for. There are also many enthusiasts | | | | CNC is right for me? Guess what, I have seen |
| that like to customize things so they need a | | | | it all. Many types of people show up in CNC. |
| way to make unique parts that they can't get | | | | Here are some common skills I see often in |
| anywhere else. | | | | the field. |
| | | | |
| Here are a few elements that have brought | | | | Computers - Do you like working with |
| people into the CNC Fold: | | | | computers? If you said yes then that will |
| | | | help you out. CNC is really computer |
| Electronics - There are many electronic | | | | intensive work on the front end of the |
| components you can build yourself. Do you | | | | process. |
| like to solder together power supplies, | | | | |
| cooling fans, drivers and processors? CNC | | | | Software - Can you learn multiple software |
| would appeal to you. | | | | packages? If you said yes you probably have |
| | | | a flexible software mind. That will come in |
| Design - Do you like to think about things in | | | | handy. |
| your mind? Then conceptualize them into a | | | | |
| computer. Do you have a little inventor | | | | Shop Skills - If you have skills in the shop, |
| inside of you trying to get out? CNC would | | | | you will be ok. It doesn't really matter if |
| appeal to you. | | | | it is metalworking, woodworking or anything |
| | | | else. Being comfortable getting your hands |
| Manufacture - Do you like to make things in a | | | | dirty will help. |
| process fashion? Step by step, process by | | | | |
| process. Do you like to optimize and test | | | | Engineering Mind - I usually think of this as |
| and make processes more efficient? CNC would | | | | a problem-solving mind. Trying to isolate |
| appeal to you. | | | | things and pin them down. If a problem come |
| | | | up, you test different ways around it. |
| End Design - Do you have a result or end | | | | Keeping track of things will help. |
| design in mind? This is what happened to me. | | | | |
| I knew where I was. I knew where I wanted | | | | Artistic Mind - Can you imagine things? |
| to go. I then used CNC as a bridge to get | | | | Think of the products you create. Guess |
| there. If you have an end design in mind | | | | what, creating is very important. Using you |
| that is repetitive, then CNC would appeal to | | | | mind and thinking of unique possibilities |
| you. | | | | will help. |
| | | | |
| Money - Do you like money? Boy is that a | | | | Crafty Mind - I don't mean in a devious way, |
| question. Many hobbyists get into CNC to | | | | more in a building way. Can you take things |
| make some extra money or start their own | | | | apart and put them together in your head? |
| business. Yes, you can make parts and sell | | | | Can you see a finished product, and then back |
| them. Guess what, after you design the part, | | | | track the processes to make it? You will be |
| you never have to do that again. You can | | | | well served if you can play with things in |
| just call up the program and make some more. | | | | your mind. |
| Months and years later…forever. CNC | | | | |
| appeals to people who want to make money. | | | | "Wait, wait, wait," you might say. "I don't |
| | | | possess all these skills." You don't have |
| Challenge of Building a Machine - Some people | | | | to. Having some of these skills will only |
| just get bored and want a project to work on. | | | | help you on your quest to learn CNC. Again, |
| Building a machine that does something | | | | I have seen all types of people get into and |
| appeals to them. Think of the Model | | | | succeed in this field. Your desire to learn |
| Builders, Woodworkers, Metal Workers and any | | | | and get out there and do it will be the |
| other type of builder you know. CNC appeals | | | | deciding factor. |
| to the builders of the world. | | | | |
| | | | Ivan is active in Hobby CNC and DIY CNC. CNC |
| The Entire CNC process - I fall strongly into | | | | Book is one of his expertise. |
| this category. I started into CNC because of | | | | |