The Build With Me series will be heavily accompanied by videos. Hopefully this will satisfy the community’s wish for more step-by-step content.
I tried my best to make the content informative and well explained while still keeping it as compact and approachable as possible.
The first project in the series is the DIY 5-Axis Module. In many ways, this project was one of the biggest motivations behind creating MiWiCNC in the first place. It pushed me to document findings, collect knowledge in a structured way, and share the journey with others facing similar challenges.
As always, feedback is highly appreciated and will help shape future projects and episodes.
Some additional footage from the DIY 5-axis module can be found in my posts here:
Part 2 is out!
This episode marks the transition from CAD and planning to actual machining. We set up the machine, make the first cuts, and begin turning ideas into chips.
Hey @Hauke !
Everything I show in my videos and on the miwicnc website can be done using either the free Personal license or the Educational license.
I purchased the commercial license myself, not because it was required for the workflows I demonstrate, but because it allows me to share additional resources such as machine simulation files with the community. Strictly speaking, I didn’t need to buy it—it was simply a cost I chose to take on so I could provide more value and make the learning experience easier for everyone.
If, in the future, I cover a workflow that genuinely requires the Base package or the Manufacturing Extension, I will clearly point that out in advance. My goal is to ensure that nobody follows a tutorial only to discover an unexpected paywall halfway through.
I do my best to verify that every workflow I publish works with the free licenses. However, I may occasionally overlook a feature that is only available in a paid license. If that happens, I apologize in advance and would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know. In many cases I can adapt the workflow so it also works with the free version. If no workaround exists, I will clearly mark the affected tutorial so everyone knows what license is required before getting started.
Please also keep in mind that software licensing can change over time. A feature that is free today may become part of a paid license in the future (or vice versa). If you notice that one of my tutorials is no longer compatible with the current free license, I’d really appreciate you letting me know so I can update the tutorial or add a note for future viewers.
Finally, I’d like to point out that the 5-axis workflows demonstrated at the end of this chapter can also be completed using the free Personal and Educational licenses. You do not need a paid license to follow along with those examples - which was suprising also to myself
This episode builds on the subplate from the previous videos and prepares it for future 5-axis component production. A major focus is thread milling as we get the fixture ready for the next stages of the project.
