Cnc Mill reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 156 Reddit reviews across 9 subreddits and 55 posts to rank the best Cnc Mill brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/CNC, r/Machinists, r/hobbycnc, r/fosscad, r/Micromanufacturing. Top-rated brands include Tormach (4.1/5), Haas (3.8/5), Taig (3.9/5).
Stats
Reviews156
Subreddits9
Posts55
Brands66
Products52
156 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Tormach
4.1
(22)
"I personally only have experience with a Tormach 770M and Tormach 24R which are both excellent machines for prototyping and light production."
"Tormach also has very good customer service and I would recommend Tormach in general if you can spend that much."
"With that budget I'd look for a well cared for used Tormach. The machine is capable and their support is top notch."
"Get a Tormach. I have made thousands of nice parts on my PCNC 1100."
"Get a tormach."
"I'd look at a tormak or MR-1 for mills and "
"Tormach is running a 2k tooling incentive right now if you are getting started."
"Tormach also has a router that is very user friendly for a first machine."
"Tormach 440 if you have the $, otherwise PrintNC is the cheapest you'll find."
"Minimum for me to have fun with stainless is the tormach 440."
#2
Haas
3.8
(16)
"I would highly recommend the haas over the Omax because there are so so so many videos out there teaching and explaining every single thing on the haas."
"I would recommend a fully enclosed CNC mill over a waterjet for a makerspace almost 100% of the time."
"A good Mill can do amazing things."
"HAAS offers to rent out the machines."
"Haas Toolroom Mill. Watch the used machine market. There are some deals to be had."
"If you are looking to make money on some production runs, you will want to look at a used industrial machine, something like a HAAS VF2 or mini mill if you can find one."
"I'd suggest a wood based router as fi."
"If your goal is to introduce students to metal working, Haas is the way."
"[Haas Desktop Mill](https://www.haascnc.com/machines/vertical-mills/desktop-mill.html)"
"Haas has some small mills, a toolroom or compact mill would probably suffice."
#3
Taig
3.9
(13)
"I’d look at taig specifically their ballscrew models. I think it’s exactly what your looking for."
"If steel is necessary the only one id go for is the taig because it’s spindle can run the lower SFM needed for steel."
"I'd say a Taig would be your best bet, if you've got a line on a used one in good condition."
"Taig mills can deal with those metals, and it sounds like your parts would fit their rather small part envelope."
"I'm not familiar with the Bantam product, but I do know about the Taig mills, which are solid machines, capable of cutting steel."
"The Taig mills are your best bet."
"If that's his budget, get a Taig, not a grizzly with a conversion kit."
"What the Avid is, and what you're looking."
"I have a Taig mill with a CNC conversion that meets all your requirements."
"I used and continue to use this wonderful, wonderful document."
#4
Shapeoko
3.6
(10)
"Shapoko pro HD maybe perfect fit have you looked into them?"
"Check out Shapeoko machines by Carbide 3D."
"Shapeoko has a long history and a large community. It’s the easiest place to start."
"Shapeoko...great machine, even better customer and user support."
"Millright, shapeoko, xcarve are all good brands."
"Other option is the MPCNC or the MillRight."
"A small old shapeoko with belts might get you close, but its a pretty restrictive budget."
"If you can give up 3 or so inches, or do indexed cuts a Shapeoko 3 XL or XXL might work."
"I use a Shapeoko 3."
"Non-ferrous example of a complete kit: http://www.shapeoko.com/."
#5
HAAS
4.0
(8)
"Get a HAAS TM1P and you won’t have a regret."
"Haas TM1. I have been considering it my self. You can get a TM1 fairly decently priced."
"I would look for a used MiniMill. Pretty skookum machines, with real castings, CAT40 taper, coolant, tool changer, etc."
"You can run a HAAS minimill or TM series off single phase."
"Haas Mini, Brother, or RoboDrill."
"At that budget, I would look for a used HAAS mini mill."
"Sounds like you want a haas mini mill or tormach."
"A more common option i think is HAAS’s minimills, but i know those can still be pricey brand new"
#6
CNC Mill
4.2
(6)
"100% Better on your operating budget or it’ll end up in the corner collecting dust. Also, a CNC mill has so much flexibility."
"Get a mill, much more versatile."
"100% get the mill."
"If you're just doing one-off jobs, a Brideport."
"Get one cnc mill for when you need it."
"Get the mill. The Wazer in particular is not an industrial waterjet cutter."
#7
PrintNC
4.3
(4)
"PrintNC no question. It’s a *super* well tested design that’s well thought out and has a very active community (they hang out on discord). Plenty of people handle steel no problem."
"I’m in the middle of making a PrintNC that you may be able to keep under 1500 if prices don’t go up too much. Definitely takes some time to build though, so definitely not a plug in solution."
"Just found out there’s another one that seems to be even better quality: PrintNC."
"There's a *very* DIY option available that's rigid as hell and can be much more performant than most things in the sub-$2k price point."
#8
Fadal
4.3
(4)
"Dude, get a used fadal! 13k for an early 2000’s 3016."
"Fadal 3016, fadal 4020, newer but in that range."
"As others have mentioned, look at older Fadals, it maybe slightly over your budget but very worth it if you are serious."
"Look into 90s Fadals for that price range and rigidity."
#9
Carbide 3D
4.3
(3)
"You might want to consider the just-announced Nomad 3."
"Note that the Nomad is getting an update."
"I can recommend the Nomad 883. Its build volume, 8 x 8 x 3 inches is surprisingly versatile for small projects."
#10
Chinese CNC
4.0
(3)
"I've got one of those Chinese ones with the old servo motor as a spindle. Works great."
"I do not know if you have the intention to buy Chinese CNC milling machine, here will recommend one for you."
"I ended up buying a Chinese machine. Parts of it are shit and parts are not."
#11
Tormach 1100MX
5.0
(2)
"Zero mechanical issues or any other issues really."
"Tormach 1100 series are very good machines. We have had our 1100MX for a year now and it has been excellent."
#12
MPCNC
4.5
(2)
"MPCNC. Love mine."
"I had a fun time building a 3D-printed MPCNC, which is confirmed to be capable of milling aluminum, and it wasn’t terribly expensive."
#13
Grizzly
4.5
(2)
"This should be right up your ally"
"I do wish I would've gone;with a Grizzly G0704 (Sieg X2.7 size). Small change in price, but completely different castings, much heavier, significantly wider dovetails, more rigid, etc."
#14
G0704
4.5
(2)
"CNC convert a G0704 or PM-25. This is the way."
"Someone mentioned a converted g0704 or pm-25 which will likely meet your needs but it didn’t sound like you wanted a project."
#15
Brother
4.5
(2)
"I might suggest a small Brother machine. We have a brother S700X that we use for our injection molds and it’s been great."
"Check out older brother drill and tap cnc's. The tc-229 is a little bigger and can fit 2 Kurt vises."
#16
Sherline
4.0
(2)
"Sherline mill with CNC option. You might want the watchmaker collets."
"There is also Taig and Sherline to consider. Im a fan of Sherline products."
#17
CNC Router Parts
4.0
(2)
"You could look to get a CNC router from cncrouterparts.com I think you can get a good one for less than $5k and with a pretty big table."
"Check CNCzone for the many diy cnc build threads. Lots of info there."
#18
ShopBot
4.0
(2)
"If you are mostly wood and polymer cutting check out Shopbot."
"If you are mostly wood and polymer cutting check out Shopbot. We have their large machines and they are great but they have desktop as well."
#19
MillRight CNC
4.0
(2)
"This one seems like a good fit for me, but they're not accepting new orders."
"MillRight CNC M3. You won't turn parts quickly but it's demonstrated to put out useful parts in 6061 aluminum."
#20
X-Carve
3.5
(2)
"Millright, shapeoko, xcarve are all good brands."
"I would stay away from consumer-grade tools like the XCarve."
#21
Langmuir
3.5
(2)
"A gantry CNC mill might be very nice. There is a larger Langmuir system and the desktop Bantam tool model."
"What do you all think of the Langmuir mr1? I know it's not the most sturdy/powerful machine."
#22
Brother S700X
5.0
(1)
"I might suggest a small Brother machine. We have a brother S700X that we use for our injection molds and it’s been great."
#23
FANUC
5.0
(1)
"FANUC makes a a small 4 axis CNC mill that could be used for this application. Extremely high quality."
#24
Wegstr
5.0
(1)
"It goes down to 0.05mm precision and is highly accurate with it's repeatability at 0.02mm."
#25
Doosan DEM 4000
5.0
(1)
"The new Doosan DEM 4000 would be very good value for money."
#26
Bolton Tools ZX45
5.0
(1)
"I bought a 3 axis mill from Bolton tools model zx45 (usd 2,600) and bought three nema 23 stepper motors."
#27
X6
5.0
(1)
"The X6 has everything going for it as far as rigidity."
#28
Carbide3D
4.0
(1)
"I had a Carbide3d Nomad that is cheap compared to my Tormach 770mx."
#29
DMG Mori
4.0
(1)
"DMG Mori makes a nice mill."
#30
PocketNC
4.0
(1)
"Check out PocketNC (or whatever they changed their name to)."
#31
Carvera
4.0
(1)
"Check out the Carvera Complete with toolchager."
#32
Boxford
4.0
(1)
"The UK has a couple of legacy machine tool manufacturers (Boxford and Denford) who make machines designed for schools."
#33
Tormach 770
4.0
(1)
"A tormach 770 would be able to do a ar lower but it may be unpleasant with some of the deeper cuts in the trigger pocket."
#34
Grizzly G0704
4.0
(1)
"The G0704 is the best bang for the buck."
#35
Taig Mills
4.0
(1)
"The little Taig mills seem to be pretty well regarded."
#36
SYIL X7
4.0
(1)
"Look up for the SYIL X7. It’s an affordable Chinese machine."
#37
Next Wave Shark HD510
4.0
(1)
"It is a good intro machine and helps my students see the benefits of a CNC."
#38
Carbide 3D Nomad 3
4.0
(1)
"For the latter two you could consider instead: Nomad 3."
#39
Old Mill
4.0
(1)
"Converting an old mill would be the cheapest way to do this."
#40
Bantam Tools
4.0
(1)
"That bantam tools one looks legit."
#41
Bosch
4.0
(1)
"Usually, it works to just use a wood router, like a Bosch Colt."
#42
Titans of CNC
4.0
(1)
"You should look into Titans of CNC. Titan Gilroy has put together a package for schools."
#43
Onefinity CNC Systems
4.0
(1)
"I’d look at Onefinity’s systems if you plan on getting good cuts with regularity."
#44
Southwest Machines
4.0
(1)
"We primarily use southwest machines with track controls, we have 3 open mills and one VMC."
#45
Probotix CNC System
4.0
(1)
"Take a look at the systems by Probotix. They're really decently engineered."
#46
Bantam
4.0
(1)
"I have my eye set on the bantam, I dont know much about the industry or tool quality but the way it looks is that a guy saw a marketplace missing a tool and created one."
#47
PM
4.0
(1)
"Have you seen the ball screw kit from PM?"
#48
3018
4.0
(1)
"A 3018 does a fine job."
#49
PM30
4.0
(1)
"I'm gonna go out on limb here and suggest pm30 or g0704 mill conversion."
#50
Tormach 1100
4.0
(1)
"We just ordered a Tormach 1100 for prototyping use."
#51
Multi-Machine
4.0
(1)
"If you're willing to DIY, I believe the Multi-Machine could be put together as a mill at that price point."
#52
eShapeoko
4.0
(1)
"The eShapeoko from Catalin Voinescu at Amber Spyglass is the usual suggestion for folks wanting a low cost machine."
#53
Sieg
4.0
(1)
"Used sieg kx shows up from time to time at your price range."
#54
ProtoMat
4.0
(1)
"Check out ProtoMat from LPKF, they have been in this market for awhile."
#55
INTBUYING
4.0
(1)
"I think the only thing that might get you close is converting a small bench mill like this."
#56
Okuma
4.0
(1)
"OKK. They have been making mills for the tool and die industry for years."
#57
CNCEST
4.0
(1)
"The smallest cnc you'll find capable of milling steel is a 6040."
#58
Doosan
4.0
(1)
"Doosan!"
#59
PocketCNC
4.0
(1)
"Something simple like a PocketCNC could suffice"
#60
Nomad
4.0
(1)
"Agree w/ /u/RetroCorning that the Nomad is made for your use-case."
#61
Nomad 883
4.0
(1)
"The Nomad 883 cuts aluminum."
#62
Othermill
4.0
(1)
"Othermill, if your parts are under 5.5 x 4.5 x 1.2."
#63
ShapeOko CNC Router
3.0
(1)
"The ShapeOko is a CNC router, not a mill."
#64
PM728VT
3.0
(1)
"It is a capable machine but the conversion process is costly in money and time."
#65
ProtoTrak
3.0
(1)
"ProtoTrak has a small mill."
#66
Ghost Gunner
3.0
(1)
"Looks like it's only available for preorder, but 'the ghost gunner' might be what you're after."
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