Hobby CNC Routing
A Bench-Ready Feeds and Speeds Workbook for Wood, Plastic, Aluminum, and More
★★★★★3.7 · 7 reviewsby Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Stop guessing. Get tested feeds and speeds for every material you cut, with tables and procedures you can use right at the machine.
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About this book
You've got a CNC router, you've made some parts, but you're still fighting with chatter, melting plastic, and broken end mills. This book is your bench-side companion, built around the one thing that makes or breaks every job: the right feeds and speeds. It's not a beginner's overview and it's not a machine manual—it's a practical workbook that gives you specific numbers for spindle speed, feed rate, plunge rate, stepover, and depth of cut for a wide range of materials, from softwoods to aluminum.
Organized by material, each chapter provides ready-to-use parameter tables, plus the reasoning behind them so you can adjust intelligently when your setup differs. You'll also find detailed procedures for test cuts, tool selection, and troubleshooting—all written with exact values and clear steps, so you can get back to cutting quickly. Whether you're making signs, parts, or prototypes, this book will save you time, material, and frustration.
Stop relying on guesswork and contradictory online advice. With this workbook, you'll walk into your shop with confidence, knowing exactly what settings to use for the material on your table. Your CNC router is capable of amazing things—this book helps you unlock that potential, one successful cut at a time.
Reader Reviews
Rebecca Perez
★★★★★I've been routing for a couple years but always felt like I was just guessing. This book changed that. The tables for each material are exactly what I needed at the machine, and the test cut procedure is now part of my routine. My finishes are cleaner and I've stopped breaking bits. The only reason it's not 5 stars is I wish it had a few more projects, but the reference value is unbeatable.
Daniel Nelson
★★★★★It's a decent reference, but I was hoping for more depth on some materials like polycarbonate. The tables are helpful, but I found myself going back to forums for a few specific questions. It's well-organized and the troubleshooting section is useful, but it's not the end-all-be-all. Good for a beginner who wants to stop guessing, but I was expecting a bit more.
Deborah Hernandez
★★★★★This is the book I wish I had when I started. I've been cutting for years and still learned a ton. The chip load explanations finally made sense, and the aluminum section is spot-on. The test cut procedure is genius. I keep it open on my bench next to my machine. Worth every penny.
Sarah Torres
★★★★★As someone who mostly cuts plywood and acrylic, this book has been a game-changer. The acrylic section solved my melting problems immediately. The quick reference tables are my go-to. I docked a star because the projects are a bit basic, but the reference material is exactly what the title says. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to stop wasting material.
Anthony Thomas
★★★★★I've been using a CNC router for about a year, and this book has helped me move from 'just getting by' to 'actually knowing what I'm doing.' The troubleshooting tables are great—I've solved a chatter problem that had been driving me crazy. It's not a cover-to-cover read, but that's not the point. It's a tool, and it works.
Joseph Perez
★★★★★It's a solid reference, but I found some of the parameters to be a bit conservative for my machine. I had to adjust up significantly for my rigid setup. That said, the methodology is sound, and the test cut procedure is worth the price alone. I just wish it had more info on using different spindle speeds and how to adapt for high-speed spindles.
Amy Gonzalez
★★★★★I bought this hoping to get specific numbers for cutting aluminum on my router, and it delivered. The sections on wood and plastic are also useful, but I didn't need as much of that. It's a good book, but I feel like it's more for someone who cuts a variety of materials. If you only cut one or two, you might find the other sections less relevant. Still, the troubleshooting is helpful.