The DIY With JC CNC Crash Course is a step‑by‑step series designed to help beginners build confidence with GRBL‑based CNC routers. Each lesson includes a short video, clear explanations, and practical steps you can follow on your own machine.
Course Contents
CNC Crash Course #1 – First Moves & M‑Codes
Learn how to home the machine, jog the axes, and control the spindle using basic M‑codes inside Candle.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-1-first-moves-m-codes/
CNC Crash Course #2 – G‑Code Moves G0 & G1
Understand the two most important motion commands in CNC machining: rapid moves and controlled feed moves.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-2-g-code-moves-g0-g1/
CNC Crash Course #3 – G91 Incremental Coordinates
See how incremental positioning works and why it’s useful for repetitive patterns and manual programming.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-3-g91-incremental-coordinates/
CNC Crash Course #4 – G90 Absolute Coordinates
Learn how absolute positioning works and why nearly all CAM software uses G90 for predictable toolpaths.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-4-g90-absolute-coordinates/
CNC Crash Course #5 – The REAL Reason Your Spindle Is Stuck at One Speed
Find out why many beginner CNCs ignore spindle speed commands and how PWM spindle control actually works.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-5-the-real-reason-your-spindle-is-stuck-at-one-speed/
CNC Crash Course #6 – Write & Run Manual G‑Code in Candle
Write a simple G‑code program by hand and run it inside Candle to understand how GRBL interprets each line.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/crash-course-6-write-run-manual-g-code-in-candle/
CNC Crash Course #7 – Perfect Z‑Zero Every Time Using a Touch Puck
Use a CNC touch puck (Z‑probe) to set a precise, repeatable Z‑zero inside Candle.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-7-perfect-z-zero-every-time-using-a-touch-puck/
CNC Crash Course #8 – Chips Fly on the First Real Cut
Watch the CNC make its first real cutting pass and learn what proper chip formation looks like.
👉 View Lesson: https://diywithjc.com/cnc-crash-course-8-chips-fly-on-the-first-real-cut/