Cnc Machine reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 168 Reddit reviews across 18 subreddits and 59 posts to rank the best Cnc Machine brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/hobbycnc, r/CNC, r/Machinists, r/Luthier, r/EngineBuilding. Top-rated brands include Shapeoko (4.5/5), Onefinity (4.8/5), Carbide 3D (4.0/5).
Stats
Reviews168
Subreddits18
Posts59
Brands80
Products49
168 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Shapeoko
4.5
(16)
"So get a shapeoko XXL"
"In case anyone is wondering, it turns out the Shapeoko HDM is now available to ship to Canada! :D"
"The Shapeoko Pro XXL. I have that one and have been using it for two years, never had an issue that wasn't my fault"
"A Shapeoko 5 4X4 with the Carbide compact router and workholding kit. It will last you for a very long time, and will be able to handle anything you throw at it."
"Shapeoko XXL for sure. Good solid machine."
"I had some CNC experience and I bought a Shapeoko when I decided that I wanted a CNC router."
"ShapeokoXXL"
"Shapeoko is probably the most popular option and offers possibly the best community support."
"Shapeoko would be my first recommendation."
"I have been using a CNC router for several years with my scales, all of my models are done."
#2
Onefinity
4.8
(12)
"Agree, Onefinity is the way to go."
"I’m suggesting the onefinity because after reading other comments realized your husband is building his own mill."
"Onefinity if you just want to cut wood and sparkly metal."
"Definitely take a look at the Onefinitycnc.com They just announced their 48x32" version."
"Onefinity is in Bradford which is close."
"The potential duties and exchange rate along with pretty high shipping is mostly what led me to go for the Onefinity over some of the others."
"The NewCarve and Onefinity."
"Onefinity is made in Canada, very rigid and is probably the fastest setup out of anything out there right now."
"The onefinity and longmill cnc are both Canadian made and in your price range."
"It's a bit more than your budget but check out onefinity CNC."
#3
Carbide 3D
4.0
(7)
"I have seen guys use the Carbide 3D Nomad for stuff just like this."
"Nomad"
"A Nomad 3 or shapeoko be be the better choice. The school I was at had an older Maho MH500, really capeable machine, not fast but could mill almost everything"
"I am interested in the Nomad 3 CNC machine from Carbide 3D."
"I recently ordered a Nomad 3 (carbide 3d) and plan to do similar with it."
"We had one customer who did this on a Nomad 883 Pro as a test run before purchasing an industrial machine."
"Yes, a Shapeoko could do this, and would probably have better throughput if needed."
#4
AVID CNC
5.0
(5)
"AVID CNC would be high on the list. Lots of Professional shops use them but are in the reach of a hobbyist with a decent budget."
"Look at the machines from Avid or Shopbot; both are a cut above the typical routers."
"I've built and used two avid machines since 2012. Used several other brands. Avid is my go to."
"If I could do it all over again I would go with AVID cnc."
"AvidCNC would be my lowest entry point for this."
#5
CNC
3.4
(7)
"I like to use the CNC for working with manufactured materials: like MDF or plywood."
"I'd put dust collection up there as number 2 after the cnc itself."
"Consider the tasks related to using the CNC: - breaking down stock --- what sort of stock will you be using?"
"PE cuts like butter, even my router haphazard put together from a few 100€ worth of linearrails and ballscrew."
"I wouldn’t really consider chairs to be a simple project."
"Affordable is subjective and also helps to know what you are trying to make."
""Affordable" cnc start at about $125 on Amazon."
#6
Haas
4.0
(6)
"I love my Haas CM-1, if you can swing $70,000."
"Maybe a haas desktop machine?"
"Of those three I would choose Haas."
"Since you keep asking for a machine recommendations we use a Haas VF2."
"You can find an older haas mill for sub 20K."
"I have 2 haas DT1's which are basically the mini mills big brother. They'll do light duty stainless work but they really aren't that rigid."
#7
ShopBot
4.3
(4)
"Look at the machines from Avid or Shopbot; both are a cut above the typical routers."
"Shopbot being a close second."
"If you have the real estate for it get a shopbot or a shopsaber."
"Shopbot is great machine but outside your budget. I think starting at 20k."
#8
PrintNC
3.8
(4)
"Best world probably be a converted Bridgeport."
"PrintNC is great, but assembly is no joke. It’s probably the best DIY option."
"PrintNC: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://threedesign.store/."
"Printnc is a good choice but you will be spending more time building and configuring than you think."
#9
Robodrill
4.7
(3)
"Used Robodrills can go for 10-20k."
"Robo drill is the way to go"
"A robodrill may be small by industrial standards, but you aren't putting it inside your house, or powering it."
#10
DMG Mori
4.7
(3)
"Dmg mori is the best tho."
"I've always liked dmg Mori and Hardinge. I used to turn +-.00005 on a Hardinge."
"You can get a pretty decent 5 axis dmg Mori or okuma for about 400 with some tooling."
#11
Brother
4.7
(3)
"A brother speedio S300 would make these great and only be about a meter wide machine."
"Used brother speedio"
"I make injection molds on a Brother Speedio all day out of aluminum and steel and it sounds like it would really fit your needs well."
#12
Tormach
4.0
(3)
"Either way, Tormach all day."
"You could look at Tormach, but then you're really in the $25-30k range with an ATC."
"To me, the tormachs are too pricey for what they are, but I understand why the niche exists."
#13
CNC Router
4.0
(3)
"Buy a good second hand cnc router, use that to make alu parts for cnc conversion of manual mill."
"Router: printNC, but skip straight to some of the metal / pro upgrades"
"You can do interesting things on a 3018, which costs between 200 and 500$."
#14
RapidChange
3.7
(3)
"Look up rapidchangecnc it is a low cost solution."
"I've been using the RapidChange ATC for my CNC machine and it's been working pretty well."
"Two other companies I would also consider looking at are RMC and T&S."
#15
Longmill
3.7
(3)
"Longmill won’t get you 48x48 but if you are okay with 48x30 then it’s worth looking at."
"The long mill has served me well as a beginner doing fairly simple stuff like these signs."
"For your price point there really aren't that many options. Maybe a Longmill."
#16
Inventables
3.7
(3)
"A lot of people get the Inventable XCarve."
"I have an X-Carve from Inventables, which is a pretty good starter machine & can be expanded to 1000mm x 2000mm"
"I bought an X-Carve as a toy when I was getting in to woodworking. It's OK."
#17
FoxAlien
3.7
(3)
"As a hobby machine the Fox Alien is great with the 4040 giving you a decent workspace."
"Depending on the workspace required, look at the fox alien as well."
"I'm using a FoxAlien CNC Router 3018-SE V2, its enclosed in a box making it easier to keep dust down."
#18
Altmill
5.0
(2)
"I would get the Altmill if you want to cut metal."
"If you could stretch your budget a tiny bit higher, the Altmill would be viable."
#19
ProVerXL
5.0
(2)
"I own the ProVerXL 4030 with a vfd driven 1.5kw spindle. I love the machine, very capable. Very well spent 1000€ considering you only need to tighten a few screws and are good to go."
"I have the 4030 Prover XL with the 500W spindle and the aluminum soil board. It seems like it’s a very rigid setup and has been a great machine for me so far."
#20
Waterjet
5.0
(2)
"Waterjet. I have cut glass with the waterjet."
"Have you looked into water jets? You could probably cut out a no parking symbol with a jet in 2 min easy."
#21
Genmitsu
3.0
(3)
"You could consider making the plug in layers so you could work with a budget machine - maybe a Genmitsu 4030 with a 6060 extension kit instead of making a machine."
"I have the 3018. It is okay for learning and small stuff. Not the most precise machine out there, but is good enough given the price point."
"I have Genmitsu 3018 that was a couple hundred bucks and honestly it's not worth the hassle."
#22
MPCNC
4.0
(2)
"Have you seen the MPCNC? I just built mine. The controller I use is the Duet 3 Mini 5+ Wifi."
"You could build a MPCNC."
#23
CNC4Newbies
4.0
(2)
"I'm looking at three machines but having a hard time deciding.. The Newcarve from CNC4Newbie."
"Cnc4newbie offers a 1450x1450 machine that might work for you and I think I'd really well prices (new carve)"
#24
WorkBee
4.0
(2)
"You can probably get a WorkBee for that."
"I can't see any reason why it would not do exactly what you want."
#25
Maslow CNC
4.0
(2)
"I've been eyeing Maslow CNC. There's a kit you can buy that includes most of the parts."
"The other would the Maslow CNC. Both of these can be used to process full sheets of plywood."
#26
Makino
4.0
(2)
"For hardcutting mills we use Makino and Yasda."
"We use makino and doosan. But the makino does most of the heavy lifting."
#27
QueenBee
4.0
(2)
"The Shapeoko and the QueenBee are in the same ballpark for features and price."
"Queen Bee would be a solid option as well."
#28
Snapmaker
4.0
(2)
"Snapmaker J1. It'll ship by February, you get high-speed IDEX 300° hotends for superior glass-fiber nylon prints, anti-ringing enhancement, full enclosure."
"Snap maker is a great machine, but it’s biggest asset is flexibility."
#29
Sherline
4.0
(2)
"I would recommend you a sherline CNC mill all day long for small parts."
"Sherline or Taig. Retrofitting Proxxon MF70."
#30
Stepcraft
2.7
(3)
"I have m.1000, good machine, my closed circuit system failed, Stepcraft couldn’t even get it fixed"
"It might be worth looking into the smaller stepcraft machines."
"I’ve got a d.420 and it is a very buggy machine."
#31
PocketNC
3.5
(2)
"Only option is a pocketnc/penta machine."
"The Pocket NC is a nice little machine. But you'll need a lot of other tools as well to include a heat treat oven. That's all big $$$$. Unless you are starting a business it's not worth it."
#32
Glowforge
3.0
(2)
"Glowforge you to use an annoying in browser program to send files to the laser. There is a camera at the top of the lid that projects the bed image into the browser."
"You can get a Glowforge for that price. However, I had one for a bit and found it pretty frustrating at times having used Eilog lasers previously."
#33
DMG, Doosan, Fanuc, Brother, Mazak
5.0
(1)
"Buy a used quality German or Japanese industrial machine. DMG, Doosan, Fanuc, Brother, Mazak etc are all good brands."
#34
Yuyong
5.0
(1)
"I just think they overprice the machines. Now I bought a Yuyong QueenAnt Pro V2, 600x600 mm mechanical kit+Nema 23 hight toque stepper motors+caule drag chains+inductive sensors+double spindle Hélder for 1100€ with shipping."
#35
KERN
5.0
(1)
"KERN makes some really nice high precision CNC machines."
#36
Robo
5.0
(1)
"Used Robo drill would be my first choice there built like a tank and when programmed properly( think HEM) they can rip stock all day"
#37
Makita
5.0
(1)
"I have the Makita cordless track saw and swear by it"
#38
CNC Blocks
5.0
(1)
"Carl is a really smart machinist and he did a thorough examination and exposure of the issues with a Speedmaster."
#39
Grbl ESP32
5.0
(1)
"I think this is better than arduino or raspberry pi."
#40
Millenium
5.0
(1)
"Check out the Millenium Mill or PrintNC, those are 2 machines that can cut aluminum and are already a complete, proven design."
#41
Nymolabs
4.0
(1)
"A red machine named Nymolabs nbx-5040 on Amazon, which lists a $ 1699 price, now with a $500 prime discount and it seems that meets my needs."
#42
Chiron
4.0
(1)
"Chiron Micro5"
#43
Taig
4.0
(1)
"The most economical choice with a chance of working for this project would be a Taig micro-mill."
#44
Maho
4.0
(1)
"The school I was at had an older Maho MH500, really capeable machine, not fast but could mill almost everything"
#45
Alien Milling
4.0
(1)
"Desktop 4 axis mill - alien milling"
#46
Okuma
4.0
(1)
"You can get a pretty decent 5 axis dmg Mori or okuma for about 400 with some tooling."
#47
Proxxon
4.0
(1)
"Thinking a Proxxon. Both a nice resin 3D printer like a Form Labs and a tiny Proxxon 3D mill fully loaded are probably less than a good mill."
#48
Hermle
4.0
(1)
"Maybe even a hermle or grob."
#49
Grob
4.0
(1)
"Maybe even a hermle or grob."
#50
OpenBuilds
4.0
(1)
"I think I will go for something like openbuilds ox."
#51
Nilfisk Attix 33
4.0
(1)
"Dust extractor + cyclone. I use a Nilfisk Attix 33 coupled to a Dyson cyclone cannister."
#52
OKK
4.0
(1)
"OKK or Makino"
#53
Matsuura
4.0
(1)
"Matsuura or mori seiki"
#54
Roeders
4.0
(1)
"Roeders"
#55
Makino IQ300/IQ500
4.0
(1)
"Makino has the IQ300 and IQ500 which have resolution to 0.1 microns."
#56
Industrial Unit
4.0
(1)
"If you have that kind of budget why not just buy a used industrial unit?"
#57
Plasma Table
4.0
(1)
"Buy a plasma table."
#58
Commercial Unit
4.0
(1)
"I’d buy a used light commercial unit in whatever form factor fits your goals."
#59
Langmuir Systems
4.0
(1)
"No experience with this mill but it looks interesting and has a 23”x 21.8”x6” travels."
#60
Used Industrial CNC
4.0
(1)
"If you have a suitable place: Used industrial is the way to go."
#61
Dynapath
4.0
(1)
"I have the chance to talk with Dynapath representative. He allow me to "play" with their HSM."
#62
Mantech
4.0
(1)
"Maybe check out Mantech?"
#63
Comgrow
4.0
(1)
"I found the Comgrow Robo CNC machine to be modeled after professional gantry CNC machines."
#64
T-Tech
4.0
(1)
"I have a T-Tech for the past 20years. Don’t really use it much anymore."
#65
Chinese CNC
4.0
(1)
"You will be very hard pressed to beat a Chinese CNC (3040 or similar) as a base for your project."
#66
Rottler
4.0
(1)
"Rottler is probably your best bet. BUT!!! take care of your machines."
#67
Robodrills
4.0
(1)
"Robodrills are nice and fast."
#68
Bantam
4.0
(1)
"Check out bantam mills, we have a bantam pcb mill at work we use, it works well."
#69
Kitamura
4.0
(1)
"I just got a used kitamura mycenter 0 cnc fully working."
#70
Shapeoko 4x4
4.0
(1)
"I actually have a shapeoko that's 45x40 inches, with an upgraded water cooled router and a ton of precision tools and bits."
#71
CNC Cat ATC adapter
4.0
(1)
"CNC Cat in Greece make an ATC adapter for 1.5KW spindles. They're a bit cheaper than a true ATC spindle."
#72
Precision Matthews
3.0
(1)
"Precission Matthews with 3rd part CNC conversion kit seems promising."
#73
SainSmart
3.0
(1)
"You're look at something like a sainsmart 3018 for that kind of price range, maybe with a few mods."
#74
K40
3.0
(1)
"Considering its layered work you could do it on a K40 for $500."
#75
3D Printer
3.0
(1)
"But you could get a 3d printer and buy a carving tool for it, or even a laser cutter."
#76
CNC Plasma Cutter
3.0
(1)
"It sounds like you want a CNC plasma cutter, but they make a huge mess."
#77
Comgro
3.0
(1)
"Was looking at the Comgro Robo router and upgrading the spindle to the 500W version. Would that be adequate?"
#78
4040
3.0
(1)
"If you want to not only cut out the circles but also engrave them then you would be looking at closer to 900 bucks to get a unit like the 4040 up to a 604."
#79
CNC Machine
3.0
(1)
"You pretty much get exactly what you pay for with sub $1000 CNC machines."
#80
Hand Router
2.0
(1)
"I'd strongly suggest you get a hand router and patterning bits instead."
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