CNC questions

Most makers price machine time at their own hourly rate, plus setup, material and any finishing. Cutting a simple panel is quick; a detailed V-carved or 3D-carved sign takes much longer. Use the estimator for a ballpark, then post your file and compare real bids, free.

A DXF or SVG drawn at 1:1, units stated, with closed paths and text converted to outlines. AI and vector PDF usually work too. No file? Post a dimensioned sketch or a photo of what you want; makers who offer design will quote the drawing time separately.

It depends on the maker's machine. Desktop routers are often around 2×2 ft, mid-size machines 4×4 ft, and full-size shop routers take a 4×8 ft sheet. Put the largest finished size in your post so only makers whose bed fits will bid.

Cedar, redwood and other hardwoods look warm but need sealing outdoors. HDU (high-density urethane sign foam) carves crisply, doesn't rot and takes paint well, which is why sign shops use it. Acrylic and HDPE suit modern, weatherproof signs. Say indoor or outdoor and makers will suggest a material.

Plasma tables cut mild steel, stainless and aluminum sheet for metal art, brackets and fire-pit panels; some routers mill thin aluminum. Plasma leaves a slightly beveled edge and some dross, so state whether parts need grinding or powder coating.

A well-tuned router holds fractions of a millimeter, but wood moves and sheet goods vary in thickness, so a nominal 3/4 in plywood sheet may measure less. If parts need to fit (dados, slots, joinery), say so and ask the maker to measure the actual sheet.

Tabs hold parts in the sheet so they don't move on the last pass. The maker cuts them and sands them flush; if you're on a tight budget, you can ask for parts 'with tabs' and clean them up yourself.

The platform doesn't set one. A single sign or one prototype is fine to post. Setup is what makes a one-off cost more per piece, so batch parts into one job when you can.

Each bid states a lead time, and it depends on the maker's queue, the material and finishing. Paint, stain and clear coats need drying time, so finished signs take longer than raw parts. A very short deadline is a rush and usually costs more.

Maker profiles can show a location, and you can ask about pickup before accepting a bid. Large panels and 4×8 parts are expensive to ship, so 'local pickup preferred' in your post is worth adding. Small signs and metal art ship fine.

Firearm and weapon parts aren't allowed on The Spool List, and makers can decline any job. Logos and characters you don't own the rights to are a gray area; makers may ask for permission.

Yes. Listing your machine is free, there's no listing fee, and you set your own machine-hour rate in every quote. The platform takes a commission only on completed jobs (10% on the Free plan, lower on paid plans), and you're paid through Stripe once the buyer confirms delivery.