CNC 3018-PRO Router Kit GRBL Control 3 Axis Plastic Acrylic PCB PVC Wood Carving Milling Engraving Machine, XYZ Working Area 300x180x45mm

I had been looking to try a CNC machine for sometime but was always hesitant about these cheap machines when other home machines were always around the $1000 mark. Saw lots of good online reviews for this one so decided to give it a try. Parcel came within 2 days thanks to Amazon Prime. Unpacking and set up took about 3 hours. All parts are nicely bagged and even comes with all the tools you need. Instructions are pretty basic, just an exploded view of each section of the machine. No numbering of which steps to show what should be done first. Because of this I had to take apart a couple pieces that I had already done in order to install some other piece. And I put a couple things on backwards. There are lots of good videos on YouTube to help you out in case you are a little unsure. One thing on this machine is that the collet is pre-mounted to the motor spindle. In all the videos it shows you having to heat the collet and then force it onto the spindle. Electrical bits were just as easy to install. The board has the sockets marked for each plug. Once everything is ready you plug the USB into your computer and it will ask for the driver that is on the mini CD (or online at their web page). You then install the controller program and away you go! There are a few examples on the CD to try out. And once again there are lots of YouTube videos to show you how to set-up the machine to properly cut your design. I've done a few tests including the examples and a couple of my own creations. Most worked fine, but a few glitches that were my fault and not that of the machine. Pros: Great starter machine, lots of info and videos on YouTube to help you. Lots of "hacks" to upgrade your machine if you want to in the future. ( bigger motor, stop switches, etc) Cons: None really, except the manual could be a bit better. EDIT: Spindle started to fail on me at the beginning of December. I sent an email to SainSmart and they replied the next day saying that my machine was still under warranty. They figured it was a bad power supply and sent me a new one by DHL, arrived in 5 days from China. This didn't fix my problem so another email and the next day an updated motherboard and spindle was once again sent by DHL, arriving within 5 days. Excellent after sales service, emails were promptly answered within 12 hrs and replacement parts were quickly sent by courier, no questions asked. Highly recommend SainSmart and this machine

I was just like you, reading reviews and contemplating if I should meander in to the world of CNC machines, a world that I know nothing about. If you're searching for these machines, you're already interested - so the only thing I can tell you is - get it. I have basic knowledge when it comes to electronics/hardware/software, if you're completely new to these things, the setup and usage may be slightly intimidating, but it IS easy enough that anyone can do it by following basic instructions. Like most mention - instruction manuals aren't the easiest to understand (for anything) but there are a ton of user videos all across the interwebs showing you how to set up/run the 3018. (seriously, if you need to learn anything, ever, about anything, ever, just YouTube or TikTok that ish) Out of box - I was a bit anxious. Any time you're opening a package that has hundreds of tiny parts it can seem like an uphill battle. If you dedicate a half hour or so of watching a set up video (all the way through), then setting it up while watching it again, it makes this set up a breeze. I had mine completed in about an hour, and after a minor issue was up and running. The V Bits that come with the machine are what I use most for cutting out designs. I also purchased some straight bits to use which, to me, are necessary if you're cutting out large pockets of material. As far as while this machine is running, people have mentioned noise quite often in reviews. I did not find the noise to be overwhelming. I have the 3018 set up in a room inside my house, and with the door shut, it doesn't disturb us at all. I use a Mac currently. I hate it, I was born and raised on a PC. So far I have found that Easel (it's a free application from inventables) is the easiest and most user friendly application to send G-Code, or your designs, to the machine. It's also incredibly user friendly for creating new designs for your 3018 if you're less than a novice and don't use any number of graphic suites (inkscape, illustrator, photoshop) along with Fusion 360 to create toolpaths for your designs. Windows users have a ton of more options to utilize your machine while connected to a computer, or you can upload your codes to the controller that comes with the machine to create your projects. I have used the 3018 quite often in the month I have had it. As always, there is trial and error involved. There is a learning curve when it comes to types materials to cut/carve at what speeds, and what types of bits to use. As you try a few projects here and there, you'll get much more comfortable about what to cut, and how to cut it. You can research and read about spindle speeds/materials/bits as much as you want, but you'll inevitably learn more from trial and error after having that basic knowledge from your prior research. So far I have mainly used MDF for my projects, though when attempting to use it on acrylic and copper, I can see the vast potential this machine has. CUSTOMER SERVICE for this product awesome. I had an minor issue during set up, and I was sent a replacement part incredibly quick. I was up and running the same week I received the machine. I have seen reviews complaining, but my experience reflects all of the glowing reviews about the help I received. This isn't a plug and play machine. You have to set it up. You have to learn it. At the price point, and with the capabilities this machine has - it is the PERFECT starter machine to get into the world of CNCs. All I can say is that you won't regret this if you try it. I'll upgrade the bed of the machine for larger projects, and eventually invest in the laser module to play with that as well. I would definitely recommend this machine and I would buy it again.

I've been on the fence about getting a CNC machine for some time now and I finally decided to give it a go. PROS: -For the price, this machine's power, precision and ease of use is quite impressive. -The parts are high quality and the spindle and stepper motors all perform well. -Putting the machine together took a little time but instructional videos provided on the included USB Stick are very helpful. -Getting started and connecting the machine to the computer was quite easy and requires only the installation of a driver and software provided on the included USB Stick. -The machine runs smoothly and cuts are made with precision (satisfactory to a beginner or intermediate CNC hobbyist). -Awesome price for a beginner who doesn't want to risk damaging a very expensive machine. CONS: -The cutters/end mills included are of one type and size only and are designed solely for engraving things like letters. I decided to purchase some additional bits from Sainsmart (a whole set of HSS bits and V-Bits for around 40$) and I'm now able to do some pretty awesome cuts. -The software recommended by Sainsmart is "Candle" but I found it quite cumbersome to use. Thankfully, there are several alternate programs available online. I recommend "Easel" - I was up and running, designing my own cuts and carving within minutes. -The Clamps included with machine are a pain to use and are awkward to set up. I decided to buy a 2-pack of clamps from Sainsmart and now I have no issues at all. Having had the machine only for a couple of days, I'm already up and running and have carved multiple designs, most of which turned out quite well. I'm happy with my purchase and I'm motivated to continue with my new hobby! UPDATE: I've now been doing CNC as a hobby for a couple of years and I love it. I am happy I started with the 3018PRO so that I could decide whether the hobby was for me without spending a lot of money. Since my original purchase, I bought the extension kit for the 3018 Pro. From there, I moved up to the 4040Pro and added a Makita Router with 1/4 Shank bits. Now I can carve a wide range of gifts, crafts, signs, dishes, etc. Starting with the 3018Pro was a great idea.

Excelente precio Muy buenos resultados

The 3018 router is neither a production machine nor a toy. It is a solid hobbyist tool that is capable of producing excellent results. Assembly is straight forward with an excellent pictorial guide. Expect to put it together in an hour to a few hours depending on your experience. The unit is well designed and constructed. Tolerances are tight and there is no flex in the frame. The travel along the x and y axes measured precisely to spec out of the box. The kit comes with everything you need to get started including some bits and a disk with software. A word on software: Some reviews criticize the machine based on "software". The fact is that the firmware (the code that lives inside the controller board) is a recent version of GRBL, an open source program that is behind the vast majority of desktop routers. Every CAM program you are likely to use supports GRBL, so you will have access to a plethora of design tools to create your projects. Keep in mind that CNC is a 3 step process: 1) design the piece in CAD and export to DXF 2D format; 2) use CAM software to prepare G code by providing information on the bit, depth and order of cuts, and travel and rotation speed of the bit; 3) send the G code to the router with G code sender software. Don't be confused by the fact that some applications can combine 2 or even 3 of these steps. Like with 3D printing, it is very gratifying to start with an idea and develop it into a physical object. If you have the maker mentality this machine will provide great enjoyment and utility. UPDATE: My controller board stopped working--a very common occurrence for desktop routers due to the heat the motor drivers generate. I sent an email to Sainsmart describing the problem and within a few days they had a new board in the mail to me. After I received the board, their representative even followed up with me to make sure everything was working. This is the kind of customer service you love to have, and so rarely get. Even if you pay a few dollars more to buy from Sainsmart, it's well worth it. They will stand by their products.