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docs.carbide3d.com
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Workholding
Regardless of what type of project you are making, the first thing to figure out is how you will secure the material to the
machine. This concept is called workholding. There are several common ways to hold material down. The specifics of
your project, part, material, and other requirements will determine which method you should use. The main objective for
workholding is to secure your material to the machine in a way that will not yield to the forces of machining. The most
common forms of workholding are:
•
Double-sided tape
•
Direct fastening (screws, brad nails, etc.)
DIY Workholding Projects
Hold-Down Solution:
Make a DIY hold-down solution to put on top of your baseplate:
cutrocket.com/p/5df928247387d
.
Hold-Down Clamps:
Make a set of clamps to use with the DIY hold-down solution:
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/shapeoko-clamps
.
Workholding Solutions Available in the Carbide 3D Store
Cutting Tutorials and Projects
Once you have implemented a workholding solution, you’re ready to tackle some beginner tutorials and projects! The
Star Wars Coaster Project is an excellent crash course on how to use your Shapeoko 3. The tutorial walks you through
designing a simple set of coasters in Carbide Create and then executing the project with Carbide Motion. Follow the
complete project tutorial at:
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/project-coaster
.
More Beginner Tutorials
Once you’ve completed the coaster project, you can find more beginner cutting tutorials on the Carbide 3D docs site.
Each tutorial will get you more comfortable using Carbide Create to set up your design and Carbide Motion to run the
cutting project. Here are a few great tutorials to get you started:
MAKE Makey Wall Plaque:
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/makey
Weber Sign:
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/tutorial-signs/weber-sign
Nerd Coasters:
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/project-nerdcoasters
Projects on CutRocket
Visit
cutrocket.com
, the Carbide 3D project site, to explore even more cutting projects for your Shapeoko 3. On
CutRocket you’ll find a wide variety of projects: signs, toys, games, tools, art, and storage and organization—and the
complete project files for each. These projects will level up your machining skills and get you inspired to create your
own projects!
User Guides and Video Tutorials
As you get started running beginner projects with your Shapeoko 3, we also recommend you browse through our
Carbide 3D docs site:
docs.carbide3d.com
. We’ve packed the docs site full of all kinds of useful information to help you
get up and running with your Shapeoko 3, and to help answer common questions you might run into.
User Guides and Videos
Carbide Create Video Tutorials:
Watch the videos at
docs.carbide3d.com/assembly/carbidecreate/video-tutorials
Carbide Motion User Guide:
Check out the User Guide at
docs.carbide3d.com/assembly/carbidemotion/userguide
YouTube Channel:
Check out the Carbide 3D YouTube channel for awesome tips and tricks, video tutorial projects,
machining how-tos, and new product releases at
youtube.com/carbide3d
Tooling and Tool‑Change
Carbide 3D Tooling Guide:
Learn about the different types of end mills and how to choose the right tool for your project
at
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/tutorial-tooling
Tool Change Tutorial:
Learn how to use multiple tools on a single job (excellent information about homing, job zero, and
creating a repeatable offset) at
docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/tool-change
Shapeoko Feeds and Speeds Chart:
This chart shows the cutting speed (how fast the machine goes through a given
T‑Track and Clamp Kit
The T-track system sits on top of your baseframe and provides a
flexible, reliable way to hold down material to your Shapeoko 3.
The kit includes everything you need to add this system to your
machine!
Purchase:
shop.carbide3d.com/collections/accessories/products/t-track-table
Gator Tooth Clamps
Use these ultra-low-profile Gator Tooth Clamps as a backstop,
a side clamp, or a toe clamp. With over 30mm of lateral travel,
these beasts will hold your job down safely and securely. Clamps
come in anodized aluminum or stainless steel.
Purchase:
shop.carbide3d.com/collections/accessories/products/gatortooth
Threaded Inserts
Create a simple DIY workholding solution by threading these
inserts into a wasteboard to put on top of your baseplate. Or use
a few to hold down material in a jig. Inserts come in packs of 100.
Purchase:
shop.carbide3d.com/collections/accessories/products/threaded-inserts-qty-100
Double‑Sided Tape
This high-quality double-sided tape is ideal for holding down
PCBs or other flat stock for machining. The tape is 0.75
″
wide, 5
mil thick, 36 yards long, and it has 66 ounces per inch adhesion.
Purchase:
shop.carbide3d.com/collections/accessories/products/double-side-tape
• Top clamps
• Vise
•
Machinable fixturing wax
• Vacuum table
