Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most CNC mistakes don't happen while the machine is carving—they happen because something was forgotten before the project ever reached the CNC.
In this video, Liberty from IDC Woodcraft builds a real-world CNC project while developing a practical pre-operation and post-operation CNC project checklist.
Using a custom Hello Kitty panda shelf as the example, she walks through the steps that happen outside the actual carve: choosing the design and material, inspecting the wood, stabilizing knots with CA glue, removing staples and foreign objects, sanding, gathering finishing supplies, planning paint layers, applying masking film, cleaning up CNC fuzz, sealing carved edges, and thinking through how the finished project will actually be mounted.
You'll also see why project sequencing matters. One forgotten keyhole slot turns into extra work because it wasn't planned before the project was assembled—a perfect example of why knowing the final result before starting can save time, frustration, and repairs.
Topics include:
CNC project preparation
Material inspection
Stabilizing knots
Sanding before and after machining
Painting before CNC carving
Masking detailed CNC projects
Preventing paint bleed
CNC post-processing
Planning hanging hardware
Creating a repeatable CNC workflow
CNC Setup Checklist → click.idcwoodcraft.com/setup-checklist-signup-page
Oramask → amzn.to/4vyS9g3
Keyhole Bit → idcwoodcraft.com/KH-38
CA Glue → totalboat.com/idcwoodcraft
__________________________________
ROUTER BITS FOR CNC ROUTERS
- 12pc Complete CNC Router Bit Starter Set → idcwoodcraft.com/11P-SET-W
- 6pc Essentials CNC Router Bit Starter Set → idcwoodcraft.com/6P-SET
- 1” Ultra-Smooth Cutting Surfacing Bit → idcwoodcraft.com/SU-10
- Other bits: IDC Woodcraft Website → idcwoodcraft.com
-----------------------------------------------------
IDC Woodcraft Mobile App (FREE)
- Apple → link.idcwoodcraft.com/vax4kc
- Android → link.idcwoodcraft.com/32hhz5
-----------------------------------------------------
IDC Woodcraft Router Bit Database
idcwoodcraft.com/pages/database-downloads
-----------------------------------------------------
OTHER ‘MUST HAVES’ FOR CNC ROUTERS
- Calipers → link.idcwoodcraft.com/vp2a3e
- Sanding/Buffing Brushes → link.idcwoodcraft.com/u01ge2
- CA Glue - 10% Off with Code: "IDC WOODCRAFT": link.idcwoodcraft.com/5fj21e
------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED DESIGN SOFTWARE
- Vcarve Pro (RECOMMENDED) → link.idcwoodcraft.com/c19df4
- Vcarve Desktop → link.idcwoodcraft.com/63mso5
- Vectric Aspire → link.idcwoodcraft.com/7zfwyp
- Cut2D Desktop → vectric.com/products/cut2d/?ref=idcwoodcraft
- CarveCo 5% OFF with code IDCWOODCRAFT → http://carv.eco/buy
-----------------------------------------------------
COMPLETE VECTRIC SOFTWARE TRAINING → academy.learnyourcnc.com/a/2147507626/CqkFCPi3
CARVECO ACADEMY → link.idcwoodcraft.com/50ly2q
----------------------------------------------------
GSENDER CNC CONTROL → sienci.com/gsender/?ref=IDCWOODCRAFT
----------------------------------------------------
CNC RESOURCES
- CNC Set Up Checklist → link.idcwoodcraft.com/xi8r0n
- Ultimate CNC Router Buyer’s Guide → link.idcwoodcraft.com/xxakuh
- Machine Setup Checklist → link.idcwoodcraft.com/yz5k2m
-----------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED CNC ROUTERS
- Altmill CNC Router → link.idcwoodcraft.com/k0ecg7
- Longmill CNC Router → link.idcwoodcraft.com/a0x8z9
---------------------------------------------
CNC ENTREPRENEURS Facebook Group → facebook.com/groups/cncentrepreneurs
------------------------------------------------------
CNC Insiders (free files and more) → idcwoodcraft.com/cnc-lp2-free-files
------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL → buymeacoffee.com/garrettfromme
----------------------------------------------------
Cool vector files for CNC router & CNC laser → etsy.me/3oxX79l
0:00:00 – Why CNC Projects Need a Pre & Post Checklist
0:01:01 – Start with the Design, Material & Final Size
0:01:49 – Gather Every Supply Before Starting
0:02:44 – Inspect the Wood for Knots, Staples & Defects
0:03:42 – Stabilizing Loose Knots with CA Glue
0:04:17 – Plan Paint, Stain & Sealer Before the Carve
0:05:13 – Using Masking Film for Clean CNC Paint Lines
0:10:09 – Post-Carve Cleanup, Sanding & Sealing
0:12:50 – Why the Checklist Makes the Project Easier
0:13:21 – The Forgotten Keyhole That Proves Why Planning Matters
#CNC #CNCWoodworking #CNCTips #IDCWoodcraft #Woodworking #CNCRouter #CNCProjects #WoodworkingTips #CNCBeginner #SignMaking
Most CNC mistakes don't happen while the machine is carving—they happen because something was forgotten before the project ever reached the CNC.
In this video, Liberty from IDC Woodcraft builds a real-world CNC project while developing a practical pre-operation and post-operation CNC project checklist.
Using a custom Hello Kitty panda shelf as the example, she walks through the steps that happen outside the actual carve: choosing the design and material, inspecting the wood, stabilizing knots with CA glue, removing staples and foreign objects, sanding, gathering finishing supplies, planning paint layers, applying masking film, cleaning up CNC fuzz, sealing carved edges, and thinking through how the finished project will actually be mounted.
You'll also see why project sequencing matters. One forgotten keyhole slot turns into extra work because it wasn't planned before the project was assembled—a perfect example of why knowing the final result before starting can save time, frustration, and repairs.
Topics include:
CNC project preparation
Material inspection
Stabilizing knots
Sanding before and after machining
Painting before CNC carving
Masking detailed CNC projects
Preventing paint bleed
CNC post-processing
Planning hanging hardware
Creating a repeatable CNC workflow
CNC Setup Checklist → click.idcwoodcraft.com/setup-checklist-signup-page
Oramask → amzn.to/4vyS9g3
Keyhole Bit → idcwoodcraft.com/KH-38
CA Glue → totalboat.com/idcwoodcraft
__________________________________
ROUTER BITS FOR CNC ROUTERS
- 12pc Complete CNC Router Bit Starter Set → idcwoodcraft.com/11P-SET-W
- 6pc Essentials CNC Router Bit Starter Set → idcwoodcraft.com/6P-SET
- 1” Ultra-Smooth Cutting Surfacing Bit → idcwoodcraft.com/SU-10
- Other bits: IDC Woodcraft Website → idcwoodcraft.com
-----------------------------------------------------
IDC Woodcraft Mobile App (FREE)
- Apple → link.idcwoodcraft.com/vax4kc
- Android → link.idcwoodcraft.com/32hhz5
-----------------------------------------------------
IDC Woodcraft Router Bit Database
idcwoodcraft.com/pages/database-downloads
-----------------------------------------------------
OTHER ‘MUST HAVES’ FOR CNC ROUTERS
- Calipers → link.idcwoodcraft.com/vp2a3e
- Sanding/Buffing Brushes → link.idcwoodcraft.com/u01ge2
- CA Glue - 10% Off with Code: "IDC WOODCRAFT": link.idcwoodcraft.com/5fj21e
------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED DESIGN SOFTWARE
- Vcarve Pro (RECOMMENDED) → link.idcwoodcraft.com/c19df4
- Vcarve Desktop → link.idcwoodcraft.com/63mso5
- Vectric Aspire → link.idcwoodcraft.com/7zfwyp
- Cut2D Desktop → vectric.com/products/cut2d/?ref=idcwoodcraft
- CarveCo 5% OFF with code IDCWOODCRAFT → http://carv.eco/buy
-----------------------------------------------------
COMPLETE VECTRIC SOFTWARE TRAINING → academy.learnyourcnc.com/a/2147507626/CqkFCPi3
CARVECO ACADEMY → link.idcwoodcraft.com/50ly2q
----------------------------------------------------
GSENDER CNC CONTROL → sienci.com/gsender/?ref=IDCWOODCRAFT
----------------------------------------------------
CNC RESOURCES
- CNC Set Up Checklist → link.idcwoodcraft.com/xi8r0n
- Ultimate CNC Router Buyer’s Guide → link.idcwoodcraft.com/xxakuh
- Machine Setup Checklist → link.idcwoodcraft.com/yz5k2m
-----------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED CNC ROUTERS
- Altmill CNC Router → link.idcwoodcraft.com/k0ecg7
- Longmill CNC Router → link.idcwoodcraft.com/a0x8z9
---------------------------------------------
CNC ENTREPRENEURS Facebook Group → facebook.com/groups/cncentrepreneurs
------------------------------------------------------
CNC Insiders (free files and more) → idcwoodcraft.com/cnc-lp2-free-files
------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL → buymeacoffee.com/garrettfromme
----------------------------------------------------
Cool vector files for CNC router & CNC laser → etsy.me/3oxX79l
0:00:00 – Why CNC Projects Need a Pre & Post Checklist
0:01:01 – Start with the Design, Material & Final Size
0:01:49 – Gather Every Supply Before Starting
0:02:44 – Inspect the Wood for Knots, Staples & Defects
0:03:42 – Stabilizing Loose Knots with CA Glue
0:04:17 – Plan Paint, Stain & Sealer Before the Carve
0:05:13 – Using Masking Film for Clean CNC Paint Lines
0:10:09 – Post-Carve Cleanup, Sanding & Sealing
0:12:50 – Why the Checklist Makes the Project Easier
0:13:21 – The Forgotten Keyhole That Proves Why Planning Matters
#CNC #CNCWoodworking #CNCTips #IDCWoodcraft #Woodworking #CNCRouter #CNCProjects #WoodworkingTips #CNCBeginner #SignMaking
