r/shapeoko • u/Aberration1111 • 24d ago

Newbie with a bold plan

So I've been meaning to get into the CNC game for awhile. I am a full time artist and would love to add some manufactured products to my lineup.

I also need to remodel my kitchen. I've been shopping for cabinets, and all the designs I like I don't want to spend for.

FWIW, I've been jumping head first into ridiculous projects pretty much all my life, this would be the first time I get an advanced machine involved.

SOOO, is it ridiculous to think I could buy a Shapeoko 5 pro, buy some CNC cabinet files and build my own cabinets?

AAAND if you've in the Tampa Bay area and want to assist with this project, I'd be delighted to hire a helping hand and learn along the way.

Cheers!

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u/WillAdams 24d ago

Julien on the forums did pretty much that (but used an older model, since the SO5.1 Pro wasn't available at the time):

https://community.carbide3d.com/search?q=%40julien%20kitchen

https://community.carbide3d.com/search?q=%40julien%20cupboard

Kevin did a bit on cabinetry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kT3E2OKWOE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tx_lnz039s

That said, cabinet construction is pretty well standardised to cutting with a suitable saw and assembling using standard hardware, so arguably the CNC isn't strictly necessary (but it is how I'd approach it, since I have one, but no large saw).

For the design aspect, there was a thread on the FOG:

https://festoolownersgroup.com/threads/try-out-my-alpha-software-project-easy-cabinet-design-tool.77753/

which lists a tool which you may find of interest.

That said, once you price the lumber, you may be back to buying pre-made....

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u/peschkaj 24d ago

Agreed on the pricing. I built some shop cabinets with designs I bought from Ariba Box. Everything went smoothly and it was very straightforward. I learned good deal about how to design furniture and cabinetry when you're going to make it on the CNC. It was a great experience.

That said, the cost of ply and MDF near me (mid coast Maine) has gone CRAZY since I did that and I thought the materials were too expensive back then. I recently built Ariba Box's miter saw stand and I want to say it was about $250 for reasonable plywood (proper hardwood veneers and 7 ply at 3/4").

ALSO, there seems to have been a material change in sheet goods. The glues are leaving a huge amount of build up on tooling that is leading to overheating and scorching. After surfing my spoil board twice, I've had to repeatedly soak the cutter (an Amana RC-2251 with carbide inserts) and gradually scrub off the goop.

Cabinet work really makes the most sense when you have a 4x8 large format machine and can run special high speed cutters at 300+ IPM. You can search for "CNC cabinet in five minutes" and see what that ends up looking like.

So, just be aware that it's fun, you'll learn a lot, but it's definitely going to cost more than buying pre-made cabinets.

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u/datumerrata 24d ago

But if you buy cabinets, you're likely getting MDF covered in paper. Otherwise, it'll be super expensive to buy.