If using a router (Makita or DeWalt), instead of a spindle, runout on end mills can be substantial with standard router collets. I upgraded the collets and greatly reduced runout which greatly increased the quality of out. I wish I had known to take this step in the beginning.
Take the time to tram the router and level the spoil board accurately. It is a tedious process the first time but is essential to quality. Make sure every screw and bolt on your machine is tight. Vacuum the machine after every use. Once a week check belts, pulleys, screws and bolts. Keep sawdust from building up and properly lubricate the machine. I read the forums every day for my brand of machine and software. I found I don't experience the machine problems many newbies experience because I am fanatical about maintenance and cleanup.
For dust collection a Fein shop vac, combined with Oneida dust deputy, is a decent solution. The Fein is a quiet and quality shop vac. It is more expensive than a standard shop vacuum but much quieter and it is less expensive than the Festool dust collectors some use. The dust deputy will capture most of the dust, thereby saving on bags. A quality HEPA bag in the shop vac will capture the small dust particles making your lungs happy. If you use the Oneida dust deputy between the bag and your machine, you'll use few bags. I've only changed out the bag once in 9 months and I also use my CNC vac to clean the shop floor.
Static electricity is a problem for some. I haven't had it. I use a grounded vac hose. I have the vac on a different circuit in the shop than my CNC and router. I have the router and the CNC plugged into a surge protector strip with EFI filter built in. The Oneida dust deputy can also be grounded. I haven found the need yet.
Good end mills are expensive and worth the price once you have some skill. I use many Whiteside bits I buy online or from Klingspor. Also Amana, Cadence, and others. When you break a good bit it hurts though given the cost of buying an end mill. Some people buy inexpensive Chinese bits on Amazon during the learning phase. I didn't, but I only broke 3 bits during the first few months because I was extremely careful and disciplined with the process of machine set up and contribution of tool paths. Even then I sat at the machine through every carve with my finger on the kill button and several times had to execute an emergency stop to keep from breaking a bit or gouging the spoil board.
I started my CNC journey with an ambitious project and struggled. I was extremely frustrated and almost quit. I realized I needed knowledge and practice to learn the software, the capabilities of different end mills, and my CNC. I spent two weeks putting my scrap pile to good use trying different simple designs and bit paths to learn feeds and speeds, and the capabilities of different bits. Learning how upcut, downcut, and compression bits work with various types of wood and how to V-carve was essential. Once I had accomplished dozens of trials in small pieces I glued several pieces of scrap together and tried designing and making a fairly simple sign. I was delighted to find this trail produced an acceptable finished piece. This gave me the confidence to move forward. I can now sit at the computer to design and take it directly to milling on the CNC. I found another good trial project to be constructing a tool drawer insert out of MDF or foam. It is a useful project and allows one to practice different pocket shapes. Most use MDF for this project. I tried Kaizen foam and was very pleased with the result. By the way MDF, though dusty, is good for practice. It cuts nicely and doesn't splinter easy like softer woods and oak. Most hardwoods are great for cutting.
With software I started simple. The free Carbide Create software that comes with Shapeoko machines. Now that I've developed 2D skills I recently upgraded to the pay subscription version of the pro version of Carbide Create. So far I've found the software allows me to do anything I've tried to tackle. I am still learning and skill building after nearly 9 months. I don't know if I'll need more sophisticated software (Fusion 360, Vectric products, or Carveco) in the future, but if I do I can move to it. I find simple and practical works for me. Plus the company Carbide 3D has outstanding technical support for users and its user community social media forums are an incredible source of information.
Patience, persistence, and time are key to climbing the learning curve. Take on small simple projects that deliver quick and easy victories to keep you motivated. It is like learning to ride a bike as a child. Many tumbles and then one day it all clicks and you start moving with ease. Today I love working with the machine. It is now my wife's favorite piece of shop equipment and her project list, for me and the CNC, is a mile long.
