CNC Dad started because I needed it to exist.
I'm a hobbyist. I've got a couple CNC machines in my garage — an X-Carve and an old Bob's CNC (the company isn't even around anymore). I'm not running a production shop. I'm not a machinist by trade. I'm a dad who loves making things and figured CNC was the next rabbit hole to fall into.
And that rabbit hole? It's a mess.
Every time I had a question — what bits to buy, why my cuts looked terrible, whether I should upgrade my spindle — I'd spend an hour Googling, open 15 tabs, watch three YouTube videos that half-answered the question, and dig through Reddit threads with contradicting advice. Eventually I'd piece together an answer. But it shouldn't be that hard.
What This Site Is
CNC Dad is the resource I wish existed when I started. We do the homework so you don't have to:
- We research obsessively. Forums, Reddit, YouTube, manufacturer docs, Facebook groups — we dig through all of it.
- We curate the best. When someone else has already made a great video or written a great guide, we link to it and tell you why it's worth your time. No need to reinvent the wheel.
- We add honest commentary. What the community actually recommends (vs. what manufacturers want you to buy). Where the existing content falls short. What nobody mentions.
- We keep it practical. This is for weekend warriors with limited time and budgets. No industrial-grade theory. Just "here's what works."
What This Site Isn't
I'm not pretending to be an expert. I'm a fellow hobbyist who happens to be very good at research and organization. When I don't know something, I say so — and then I go find someone who does.
This site isn't sponsored by any manufacturer. When we recommend something, it's because the community actually uses it, not because someone paid us to say it. Some links are affiliate links (they help keep the lights on), but they never influence what we recommend.
The Machines
- Inventables X-Carve — my main machine. Solid, well-supported, great community.
- Bob's CNC — my starter machine. The company's gone, but the machine still runs. There's something poetic about that.
Got a Question?
If there's a topic you want us to research and cover, reach out. This site is built for the community, and the best guides come from real questions real hobbyists are asking.
Happy cutting. 🪵