CNC Shark Forum

If you know the size of the project board, and use center as the origin point, then finding center is as easy as find an edge. Use the SET option and you can input 0 or any other number for each axis. So I'll line my bit up centered on the left edge of my board, use SET and set X to -1/2 my board wi...

It all depends on what you'll be making. My range of projects would need the extended bed. If you can be happy withing the 25" x 25" range of a standard Shark then save some money and go that route.

I use the notes feature in Aspire or VCarve to put reminders in the .CRV or .CRV3D files. Tap files have a few clues in their header which you can see if you open them up in Notepad, but are mostly fairly cryptic G-Code. A few of my .TAPs have clever names that give me a clue about what is in them, ...

Vcarve comes with the Sharks, and the controller is a free download once you've registered your Shark. Yes, you need something to create tool paths with that can output them in a for mat the Shark will understand (VCarve), and software to let you jog the bit around, set your 0,0,0 position, then fee...

I haven't seen rocker ever discount the CNCs they sell other than bunding accessories with them as it gets closer and closer to Christmas time.
At best you may find a used Shark for sell if you want to save money.
The best value in the Shark packages is the Vectric software they come with.

The aluminum back plate is available from NextWave although it won't benefit anyone that has a Shark with free floating X axis bearing rails not attached to the plastic back. We have an HD 2.0 where I work and it's plastic back plate was deforming under the load of the router. The new aluminum back ...

Used bits get dull, and cut and plunge worse the more they are used. Collets get dirty, jammed with dust and pitch and can end up "seeming" tight when they are not really tight on the bit shaft. I'd still take some time to remove and clean the collet along with the end of the router that holds the c...

I've seen a bit slip up in the collet during a cut because it wasn't tight enough when installed. Larger end mills don't plunge well, and each plunge may force a loose-ish bit up a little more, resulting in what the OP describes.

4D

My only reason for not being interested in the Piranha is the small size. I started with a 25" x 25" Shark Pro, and although 85% of what I wanted to cut would fit on the Shark the remaining 15% nagged me from day one when I couldn't do what I wanted because of the "small" sized bed. Probotix makes a...

Well done, Rod. I used the same strategy, only inverted to help a student of mine lower cut times from 3hrs for a 3D cut to 15 minutes for profile/fluting cuts to put a bullnose edge on her rocking chair rocker halves. In many cases I've found the fluting toolpath and an array of lines the most effi...