Best Website for Advice (pros/cons) on Benchtop CNC

[Frank Drackman]

Another new entry into this space is Onefinity. No belts. It hasn't shipped yet but there are videos on YouTube to give you an idea of where they are headed.

I have been investigating these entry level machines for a bit and I am impressed at the value. I was interested in the Mostly Printed CNC but decided it was too much of a project & too little tool for me.

If you do consider the Shapeoko, also look at the Millright Mega V, at the same price point as the Shapeoko but a far more rigid and accurate machine.

[John McKissick]

If you do consider the Shapeoko, also look at the Millright Mega V, at the same price point as the Shapeoko but a far more rigid and accurate machine.

I am looking at the Millwright Mega V and so far liking what I am seeing except the long lead time but I can deal with that I guess. So many of the videos I have seen have been machining aluminum. Most of the others in that price range mention aluminum in passing.

The guy doing the videos of the assembly drives me batty not knowing the words and trying to sound educated. It was almost painful to me being a mechanical engineer. I know these are smaller companies but couldn't get it out of my head, like fingernails on a chaulkboard.. lol

I am surprised to hear hints the Shapeoko rated higher than the Shark.

[Scott Buehler]

That Onefinity CNC looks like a great little machine.

[John McKissick]

Another new entry into this space is Onefinity. No belts. It hasn't shipped yet but there are videos on YouTube to give you an idea of where they are headed.

I have been investigating these entry level machines for a bit and I am impressed at the value. I was interested in the Mostly Printed CNC but decided it was too much of a project & too little tool for me.

Some already suggested the Onefinity. Not sure I want to be a early adopter although the info to date looks promising.

[Bill George]

Not sure where they are at price point wise? Ball screws and more and still using a small router motor. Nothing to hold it together except the gantry, I am sure the user is expected to screw it down to some MDF base which will also secure the ends.

[Frank Drackman]

Not hints, screams. Most of the marketing campaigns for the new CNC machines in this space claim to be Shapeoko Killers. I have never seen any new machine positioned as a Shark Killer.

I am surprised to hear hints the Shapeoko rated higher than the Shark.

[Ronald Blue]

Just did a quick search. Food for thought.
oston.craigslist.org/gbs/tld/d/hudson-falls-cnc-router/7152623858.html
oston.craigslist.org/nos/bfs/d/swampscott-cnc-router-4x4-with-5-axis/7149847663.html
outhcoast.craigslist.org/tls/d/rehoboth-cnc-piranha-xl/7147637063.html

[Bill George]

Shapeoko rated higher than the Shark

The machines with belts are why I decided to build the Work Bee, screw driven direct drive and fairly heavy duty not a Camaster for sure but I have less than $2k invested and a control system I know,,.. Mach4 running on a made in USA controller PMDX and its USB not some kind of wireless POS hobby grade controller. I should have went with Warp9 ESS but the computer I was using when I started the project was a MacBook Pro with Parallels and I was not sure. Now its on a Intel NUC.

[bobby milam]

Just saw a camaster up for sale that is a pretty good price, $3000. https://camheads.org/showthread.php?t=10626

[Bill George]

Just saw a camaster up for sale that is a pretty good price, $3000. https://camheads.org/showthread.php?t=10626

That won't last long!!

[Chris Fairbanks]

I would love to get a 2x3’ machine but don’t have the floor space to give up for one. Are there any creative ways to store one that you guys have seen? Thanks

[Bill George]

I would love to get a 2x3’ machine but don’t have the floor space to give up for one. Are there any creative ways to store one that you guys have seen? Thanks

Mine is on wheels.

[Jim Becker]

I would love to get a 2x3’ machine but don’t have the floor space to give up for one. Are there any creative ways to store one that you guys have seen? Thanks

A 2x3 or 2x4 is (or 1000x1000, etc) is generally considered a benchtop machine. Because of the tolerances necessary, they are not generally something you can hang on the wall when they are not in use. Most folks mount them to a surface that's either stationary or mobile, depending on their circumstances.

[Bruce Page]

I would love to get a 2x3’ machine but don’t have the floor space to give up for one. Are there any creative ways to store one that you guys have seen? Thanks

My 2’x3’ machine and the table I built for it pretty much takes up 1 bay in my garage shop. I had to sell my jointer & 15” planner to make room for it. Tradeoffs..

[Clark Pace]

I have a Sienci Long Mill, developed by two university students in Canada. It uses lead screws, not belts and is very rigid. The biggest may be too small for you, though. The cutting size is 30 x 30. You can always tile in Y to go as long as you want, though. Since you want to mount it to a bench top, keep in mind that the cutting size may be quite a bit smaller than the footprint. My table is 48 x 48. The smallest that the 30 x 30 can be mounted to is about 42 x 42. I imagine that not all machines need the same extra for their footprint.

This sounds like the kit for me. I just learned about them yesterday. I have used several machines before from $300 - $6000 range, and have an el cheap 3040. I think I am going to buy one. Most of my work is pretty small. So this sounds like an ideal machine. And the cost is right. Most of my works will be done in MDF. And as far as kits go it seem easier. Wish me luck! Nice to hear some one here has one.