Machining Stainless Steel on the Shapeoko 3 -

Although it's not for the faint of heart, it is possible to cut small quantities of stainless steel (alloys like 303) on the Shapeoko. Here's one such example.
"Sports Train Wheel" file for reference only: a360.co/2MHMGyI
Learn more about our lines of Desktop CNC machines at carbide3d.com

[@williamwallerstedt6191]

These demonstration videos are the best part of Carbide 3D

[@123bugness]

I appreciate the gratuitous machining-with-no-talking at the end of the video... would like to see a minute or so more. :)

[@automaticprojects]

Love these videos. I just learned to weld stainless steel, glad to know my shapeoko can cut it.

[@dpmakestuff]

Top Gear reference? I hope so. This was great, thank you.

[@carbide3d]

Yep! 😏

[@th3enforcersrt603]

@@carbide3d do you guys make a water jet attachment so I can cut stainless steel?

[@jeanpierresnyman652]

What I was able to learn from this video: *sports car wheel + train wheel = sports train wheel*

[@CharlieSolis]

Your comment deserves more likes

[@makex_se]

Im so glad i just found this channel! Love your work!

[@CharlieSolis]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@philipbyrnes7501]

Excellent thank you. I’m just building a LowRider2 MPCNC as seen on thingiverse and such great ideas you are giving me. A well throughout and filmed video, thank you again 11 x 🌟

[@astbrnrd]

Dsng, your approach to the end product is ballsy at best 😉 great work!

[@daveprusock4421]

Would you consider posting your F360 project so that we can examine your CAM?

[@carbide3d]

Just added in the description.

[@jamessloanofficial]

Thanks Winston! Very cool to know that I could if i need to!

[@Sandwich4321]

Titanium next?

[@lylet100]

Great video, Thanks As a side note what ever happened to the “FAB” four. I was one of the earliest ones to purchase the ShapeOko and have now stepped up to the XXL unit. But I’m sad that Edward and crew have fade-away and nothing new as an upgrade or even any communication. You were really good friends with the startup four, so can you let us know what is going on with the ShapeOko CNC RND. I’m very happy with my unit, as I spoke with the early bunch about the startup of my first CNC I was just wandering where they have vanished to.

[@JF32304]

I've gotta cut some 304 on my one finity and I'm thinking my machine will do it, it's way more stout than the shapeoko. I'm surprised you don't have more subs TBH. Excellent content!

[@carbide3d]

A factually incorrect statement. That machine is decidedly less rigid than a Shapeoko.

[@JF32304]

@@carbide3d 😆😆😳😳 have you ever used one? Ever interfaced with it??

[@vishaladhav6577]

Which tools you using to cut SS and MS 2 mm thickness

[@haroldkreye8770]

Have you milled 303SE on a micro milling machine?

[@EcoMouseChannel]

Now you actually have to build the rest of the "Sports Train" to go along with those wheels.

[@mortkebab2849]

Could I make steel molds on this machine for injection molding of plastic parts? Work area under 10" x 10", and 5" high.

[@karansingh1154]

can shapeoko handle 4130 or 4140 steels?

[@Audio_Simon]

Are the end mills radiused? Very impressive by the way, I've failed to machine SS on a more rigid machine.

[@kw2519]

It’s all about them feeds and speed.

[@Verton_D]

Thanks for the video. What is the maximum tolerance for wall thickness when doing CNC on SS with this machine?

[@kw2519]

What? The tolerance is decided by the print. Are you asking how accurate the machine is when cutting SS?

[@Verton_D]

@@kw2519 my apologies, I wasn't clear. I want to cnc a block of steel or aluminum 6061 but the wall thickness is about 0.5mm to 1mm but the wall height is about 7 mm. Wanted to know if that would be possible with cnc machining. I am trying to learn about cnc machining before buying one.

[@kw2519]

@@Verton_D Ok, I got you lol Big difference between steel, stainless steel and aluminum when it comes to milling. But the main thing is how tall and thin that wall is. Is there anyway to support the side opposite of where you’re cutting? Because I’d imagine that wall will want to vibrate like crazy. It’s less about whether you can make that feature and whether or not it’s going to chatter like crazy. It is likely that the wall will be thinner or thicker in the middle as that is where it will be able to flex the most. Anything is possible, if you were ramp down as you mill the perimeter, that would put some of the cutting force down instead of to the side, which would help keep the chatter to a minimum. But you wouldn’t really be able to go back for a clean up pass as you’ve milled all your support away. The diameter of your tool relative to its length will also play a role in how much flex happens. But there’s only one way to know, to try it.

[@optimeyes]

have you tried milling some 1.5mm SS sheet?

[@ThisDesignedThat]

Going to try machine some SS on my omio cnc soon so this video come in handy

[@hyperhektor7733]

would you save time if you proplerly clamp 3-4 sheets on top of each other ? (so the endmills deph is use too, not only the tip)

[@carbide3d]

Not really. My depth of cut isn't exceeding the thickness of the material, and features like the flange could not be machined with something on top. For thin gauge sheet metal that might be more appropriate.

[@wmayhugh]

On thing I would like to know as a new CNC'er is "How long did that take"? I mean, looks cool, but I sure it didn't take 3min and 59sec. I always have that question on all the videos you do. Do you think you could add it as a side bar? Sort of like "With the speeds and feeds I set, it took 3 day ,7 hours, 42min, and 59.59 sec". (Well maybe not that detailed but I think you get what I mean.)

[@Matt-n8j2l]

He said it took 3 hours if you watch the video

[@wmayhugh]

@@Matt-n8j2l I did watch the video, my bad missed it.

[@verkauf9310]

Love it 👍👍

[@dimman77]

Can you do it again in 304 or 316?

[@MultiChaga]

Why is the bit cutting backward? I own a cnc and I use upcut bits on it and my tool runs in the other way for smoother finish...

[@joshua43214]

The bit is cutting in the correct direction, he is conventional milling instead of climb milling though. Is that what you mean by "backwards?" This little toy is not near rigid enough for climb milling in stainless.

[@TheTruth-fs2rm]

Yeah I would not do climb milling on that router unless you have a poly-carbonate riot shield in front of you..ha ha.

[@codefeenix]

0:59 Winston be like "Whateva, I do what I want!"

[@psebastien1]

Is it precise enough to burn QRcodes please?

[@8thsinner]

I am not a cnc guy, yet. But the forum has qr codes done on shapeoko that are read easily even from reverse cutting it into a wax stamp to be read later. So yes, it seems precise enough.

[@ChristophPech]

Awesome. But why wouldn't a CNC lathe not be able to cut perfectly round wheels?

[@ElectroPulse93]

I'd imagine minor variations in the x/y travels. I'm not as familiar with CNCs, but in 3D printing things like gears they can to come out just slightly oval for I believe that reason.

[@ChristophPech]

@@ElectroPulse93 there is no Y axis on a CNC lathe because the stock rotates. It will be perfectly round in the end.

[@ElectroPulse93]

@@ChristophPech Oh, my bad, I missed the word "lathe" in your comment.

[@OperationAllOut]

Could anyone please tell me how this carbide3D machine quality and accuracy is compared to Taig CNC milling machine !

[@shirothehero0609]

The Nomad is definitely stiffer as it has beefier linear rails than the taigs extrusion and the gantry style helps that stiffness . Also, this is a "mill in a box" and totally self contained with a tool height setter and their software designed specify for it, where the Taig is open with steppers and wiring totally exposed and pretty bare bones with a lot of it up to you to decide. Quality of the Nomad is excellent and no worries about chips all over the garage. You can literally use this on your desk. I'd go nomad over Taig any day. Oh plus, Taigs are really designed for micro parts and will struggle with larger parts but are definitely accurate little guys. This has a bit more capacity in that respect, but really two different machines for different purposes.

[@Astral_Knowledge]

Can you do lexan material monday

[@shophacks]

Great video. Thank you.

[@thechipwelder1253]

Well produced video! How long did the operation take?

[@Matt-n8j2l]

He said it in the video.

[@Duraltia]

Sports Wheel Spokes + Train Wheel Rims? Back to the Future III?!

[@michaelbiggs7987]

How did you arrive at your optimal load and depth of cut? Was there a reference you used as a starting point, or was it primarily trial and error to see what gave the best sound and quality of cut?

[@carbide3d]

I sort of default to 0.01" optimal load for metals, and will make small adjustments based on what I observe. I also looked at tool manufacturers recommendations for chip load, and S&F, then reduced depth of cut to account for reduced rigidity. Mostly cutting by ear, but also looking at tool wear to see if the S&F are sustainable. Vibration will dramatically reduce life expectancy of tools. -W

[@holemajora598]

What router are you using?

[@carbide3d]

It's our standard router that we ship with the Shapeoko, the creatively named: Carbide Compact Router.

[@RichardCournoyer]

Good Stuff...PS: Cutters last a whole lot longer with a little coolant/WD40, BUT that does not play well with the stock MDF wasteboard, BUT #2, there is nothing wrong with placing a piece of sheet metal over the MDF board to protect it. I know a guy who knows a guy who machined a Stainless Steel Watch on his Shapeoko....or so I am told... PS There is a HUGH difference between the grades 301/304SS and 303 (free machining). Know what you are cutting.

[@SouthernOregonCoast]

You know that guy? I wish he would share more videos of his projects.

[@Audio_Simon]

Which is easiest to machine?

[@RichardCournoyer]

@@Audio_Simon Butter (since you didn't specifically list your choice of metals...)

[@Audio_Simon]

@@RichardCournoyer Context dude! Stainless steel grades.

[@RichardCournoyer]

Simon A Only the 303 Grade. Why? Because it’s only grade the Free Machining. We could go into the material science as to why, or you can just trust a guy with over 40 years of experience.

[@michaelkowalski3745]

Kind of interesting you use a non-commercial Fusion 360 to post ads for a commercial company. Is that within reason to do that or is it a violation? Genuinely curious...

[@Audio_Simon]

PLEASE include tool diameters in millimetres for us metric types!! I have no idea what a 3/32" end mill is - it's just small.

[@airgunningyup]

2.38mm

[@Audio_Simon]

I can Google it, but it means nothing when watching the video unless I stop to find out.

[@asherdie]

Ummmm lathes can be cnc.

[@davidk8893]

Yes, but they're huge if you want one that is decent. Nobody that I know of makes a decent desktop CNC lathe.

[@shirothehero0609]

He meant mill vs. lathe. Not literally "lathes cannot be CNCs" I'm sure most caught that, so I'm assuming you're being pedantic.

[@shirothehero0609]

@@davidk8893 no, outside of a Taig or Sherline for micro machining, but getting an x2 or x3/grizzly and converting it is absolutely viable and it's a fun project. Plus, you can get damn decent results.

[@asherdie]

@@shirothehero0609 you're assuming and calling names, not nice.

[@shirothehero0609]

@@asherdie calling names? What name did I call you? Do you even understand what the word pedantic means? Don't be so fragile. Nothing was said that was even remotely close to calling you a 'name'. And it's PAINFULLY obvious that's precisely what he meant. Winston has been around CNC long enough to understand that lathes are perfectly capable of being CNCd. Anyone that is as deep into CNC as he is understands that.

[@davidjennings2733]

Hi Winston, I enjoy the videos however it's a little too fast in not only speech but demonstration for my taste as I am just a beginner in CNC. I am sure there are many CNC'rs here that understand everything you are saying at Mach9 but not so much for me. Thanks, David J.

[@friedchicken1]

2:56 dude, did you have to eat all of that material up? you could have just made a cut all around the wheel

[@kylewarren69]

I assume he did this because using an adaptive tool path like he did puts much less strain on the endmill and cnc. If he used a countor toolpath to just cut all around the wheel the endmill would be plunging straight into the stock and would be cutting on both sides of the endmill. on hobby machines, I always try to avoid slotting because you are more likely to break an endmill.

[@secretspy711]

Slotting sucks, especially in stainless. Avoid it when you can. It's a good way to get your tool to glow red and then break. Ask me how I know.

[@friedchicken1]

thanks for the explanation guys. much appreciated

[@chaddanylak8706]

dont make it on a cnc, what about cnc lathe

[@davidk8893]

they are very large. He is specifically referring to the desktop CNC machines that Carbide 3d sells.

[@shirothehero0609]

#keepmoyemployed !!!

[@MGoat76]

If only there were a "two thumbs up" button...

[@nobodyelse-h6h]

That poor machine was screaming like being tortured...RIP to the spindle bearings...

[@3sc4p1sm]

just put ur cnc wheel on lathe n smooth it

[@eduardbalalykin5339]

Для rc car?красиво.!

[@mw8580]

303 is soft, try 316 or 410

[@legendfpv]

You try it and post the results

[@legendfpv]

I checked your channel, for some reason none of your machining videos are showing up

[@davestambaugh7282]

Sure 303 is easy, Lets see you do it with 17-4 at H-900.

[@TheLevitatingChin]

These things barely cut air.

[@chrismacdonald2511]

I really enjoy these videos but there is something that bugs me. Please stop calling a desktop CNC router simply a "CNC". You say I can't make perfectly round stuff on a "CNC" but of course I can on a CNC lathe. There are a lot of different types of computer numerical controlled machines out there and not just desktop routers.

[@poruatokin]

Desktop CNC what? Of course you can machine wheels on a CNC.... yes a CNC lathe. What you have is a CNC Router or Mill. FFS get the basic terminology correct.

[@davidk8893]

He explicitly says that this is purely to demonstrate that you can machine stainless steel on a desktop CNC mill. The wheel was just a random item he chose to demonstrate. He even says that you would want to use a lathe to make a wheel in a normal setting, but this is just to demonstrate the concept. Watch the video completely before you make nitpicky comments.

[@poruatokin]

@@davidk8893 The point of my comment (which you seemingly completely missed) was, the equipment he used is not a "CNC", there is no such equipment - it must be a "CNC ... something" CNC means "Computer Numerical Control" so him saying, "I am going to machine this on my computer numerical control" is just plain wrong. It is like me saying, "I have a red." when I should have said, "I have a red car." It is a nonsensical, lazy and inaccurate statement. He was using a "CNC router", how hard can it be to speak properly?

[@davidk8893]

​@@poruatokin No, I understood your comment perfectly. It's an unnecessary nit-picky complaint about a gramatical error that does not significantly detract from the understandability of the content. I don't suppose you say "laptop computer" every single time you're referring to your laptop? Or "motor car" rather than car? How am I supposed to know you don't mean "train car" or "bumper car" or "flying car"? The tiniest little bit of context tells me that you mean a normal motor car. Shortening the names of things is a common practice in the English language. If two people are talking about cars, and one person says "I have a 2004 Camaro, how about you?" the other person may reply "Oh, I have a 2005." What, do you expect them to say "Oh, I have a 2005 Chevrolet Camaro" instead? No, because it's unnecessary. The context allows for the omission of words, regardless of if they are grammatically correct or not. The same thing applies to "desktop CNC". Sure, it may not be technically grammatically correct, but if you got the point of the sentence, then why bother complaining about it? He says "desktop CNC". How many desktop CNC lathes have you seen lately? Few, if any. The only real CNC machines that you see on a desktop are typically routers or mills. And that's the subject of this video. (before you decide to "educate" me, I know 3d printers are CNC machines that fit on desktops. However, you don't machine things with 3D printers, and nobody calls them CNC 3d printers anyway, so there is no reason to think that he was talking about that either.)

[@poruatokin]

@@davidk8893 Blah, blah, blah and you seem to think you know everything. I and MANY hundreds of other model engineers have one of these CNC converted older Unimat lathes at home. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIXOin2bZrqApcU CNC lathes are hugely common for REAL engineering hobbyists, there are thousands of us - here's another conversion kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3ndaWeGaq2AntU Or there is this CNC lathe - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX26l4WPbrOYgLs Or this CNC lathe kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX26l4WPbrOYgLs Or this CNC lathe kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6jFkqeAisicers Or this beautiful complete DIY made CNC turret lathe mainly manufactured using a CNC milling machine kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fGYo2aZ5traKM Or this CNC milling machine kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ64aXtni82Nna8 Or this CNC plasma cutter kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5jNe4uXa7iZopI One more bonus CNC lathe made by Taig kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHSYaHZmaad2rq8 This is a freebie for you tagteammfg.com/different-types-cnc-machines/