Our journey into CNC Woodworking

Alright, buckle up, woodworking world! It's us, and we've got some seriously exciting news to share. Our little corner of the garage – our beloved wood shop – is about to get a major upgrade. We've just pulled the trigger on a Next Wave Shark HD520 CNC machine!

Yep, you read that right. After months of research, saving, and maybe a little bit of dreaming, this beast is finally on its way. We can practically smell the sawdust and hear the whir of the spindle already. For those of you who know us here at Barking Beavers, you know how much we love the hands-on feel of traditional woodworking, the satisfying push of a hand plane, the precise cut of a dovetail, the drilling of pocketholes with a Kreg jig 🤣.

But we've also been itching to explore the possibilities that CNC opens up – intricate designs, repeatable parts, and a whole new level of precision.

The Shark HD520 seems like the perfect fit for our shop and the kind of projects we're interested in. It's got a generous work area, a robust build, and a fantastic reputation. We're envisioning everything from custom inlays and personalized gifts to tackling larger furniture builds with incredible detail.

And here's where you come in! We're going to be documenting the entire CNC journey right here. Think of it as a firsthand account from relative newbies diving into the world of computer-controlled carving. We'll be sharing our unboxing experience, the setup process (wish us luck!), our first cuts, the inevitable learning curves, and, of course, all the cool projects we'll be working on.

So, if you're CNC-curious, a fellow woodworker looking to expand your horizons, or just enjoy watching someone fumble their way through new technology, stick around! We're excited to share this adventure with you all. Let the CNC chaos – I mean, creation – begin!