Desktop CNC recommendations?
Hi everyone,
So I'm thinking (haven't actually decided yet) about getting into CNC machining in a very hobbyist, fun-to-learn sort of way sometime in the next year. I'm trying to use this as an opportunity for some discussion around the current state of entry-level hobbyist CNC's. I have wanted to have a small CNC and the ability to use it for small parts for more than 5 years now. I think learning CAM would be very challenging but useful also. I wanted to ask if anyone is aware of any desktop CNC's that are priced reasonably (ideally in the $3,000 or less range) that are somewhat similar to Prusa. In being similar to Prusa, I mean built with good quality parts but also with a sizable community for support and the ability to repair it yourself for long-term use. I would only really be machining wood & aluminum, although if small and very simple steel parts could be occasionally machined at a slow feed rate that would be freakin' awesome.
So with all of that said, what is my background and experience?
- Not an engineer, biology/healthcare background. But am generally good with computers and technology. No programming experience at all.
- Have been 3D printing for about 5 years
- Comfortable with modeling in Fusion 360
- Do not have a workshop of tools. No table saw, no drill press, no lathe, etc. Just 3D printers and some handheld power tools. I have no desire to have a workshop with large tools like that, either.
- Generally only make small functional parts. The ability to CNC small aluminum parts to add significant strength to larger 3D printed parts would be useful. Also, would be useful to copy small aluminum/steel parts of things that break around the house like, for example, a small metal part in my washer that broke off recently.
- I also do not have a laser cutter, and am open to input that that might be the better thing to get before a small CNC.
Thanks for any feedback!
I've built a millennium machines milo v1.5. It's a mix of 3d printed parts (ASA / ABS) and aluminium extrusions similar to a 3d printer but can be made capable of milling aluminium and even someone has even tested with steel. The structural 3d printed parts can be replaced with aluminium parts milled on the machine itself, so there's a clear upgrade path to full metal components where it counts.
It's early days (there's only about 20 serialed machines so far) but it's a great project and if you can build a 3d printer you can build a Milo ready for learning about CAM.
The millennium machines discord is where all the action happens, happy to link if you're interested. Same if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer.
Yo that's awesome! I watched a video from the channel Philipp and it looks like exactly what I'm thinking of. I see that Fabreeko has kits available to build one, looks like part cost would be about $700-1000 not including an enclosure if I buy all their kits available for it?
I might try my hand at one of these sometime in the future. A few other questions for you if you don't mind?
Thanks for sharing this! I'd like to see Prusa take a step into the CNC world with something like this at some point. They could make the mill head switchable between the Prusa XL or something so you could use it on both machines depending on how much rigidity & accuracy you need for a cut. And they could also make big strides on improving CAM software for hobbyist use and general user-friendliness.
I was in the discord for about 4 months before I decided to build. Took about 2 months from deciding to build to having most of the major parts (self-sourcing everything) and another 3 or so to complete the build enough to get a serial.
I'm in the UK but my rough cost was around £1500. I went for a more expensive VFD, spindle and slightly bigger motors though. The enclosure looks like it'll be another £300-400.
I haven't run any on it longer than about 10 mins in one go but that's because I'm a CAM newbie, and that's where all my learning effort is going right now.
How long it'll run depends on the spindle you have and whether it's air or liquid cooled.
It's pretty easy to build and there are printable tools to help rail alignment.
1mm accuracy on this shouldn't be too difficult on these, I'm within that on mine with no special effort put in to aligning everything. Tramming can be done with 1-2-3 blocks and a dial test indicator. Metal structural parts and thoroughness when putting together will obviously help.
Do you have a local MakerSpace (community group around a workshop)? They may be able to help you and you might make some friends.
I second this recommendation. A local well equipped MakerSpace will have both the tools and classes to learn the skills you're looking to obtain and items to make.
As someone that has gone down the road of 3D printer to desktop CNC to full fledged mill and fabrication shop: Skip the desktop CNC step, spend time in a MakerSpace and/or at a local community college learning skills and get an actual CNC machine. You'll spend less time and money this way.
I don’t know what the current state of things are, but in the past I’ve seen the general sentiment about printed parts on a CNC machine is that they’re too flexible to utilize. You could probably use CF nylon parts due to their stiffness, or use printed parts reinforced with epoxy granite, but all of this is to say it will be hard to DIY it with limited tools. Additionally, have you considered the noise? CNC machines are loud, and you might want to consider how you’re soundproofing things if you have limited space or live in an apartment. Also, do you want this to be five axis and do you know how big the dimensions you want to machine are?
As I Like Turtles mentioned, something like this already exists with the Milo v1.5 that I wasn't aware of until now. And as far as noise goes, I live alone in a 2 level house, so I can plan out my use of it accordingly and drown it out with music/headphones if it's loud.
And yeah I don't want a five-axis to start off with. Just a very simple 3-axis to get my feet wet and see how I like it. The dimensions of that Milo v1.5 are around what I'd like. But if a company made something that is close to Prusa Mini sized, prebuilt, and <$1000 that would be VERY tempting. I know that is extremely unlikely to happen in that price point, but a semi-poor man can dream xD
I don't know much about CNC machines, but this seems like saying you don't want a workshop, but you want a lathe? These tools do make more sense for people who have workshops. Finding a makerspace that has a CNC machine might be an option?
For laser cutting, I'd use a service. I haven't tried it in a few years, but I thought Ponoko was decent. It was a long time to wait compared to 3D printing at home, but should be okay if you plan ahead.
For adding strength, I might look for metal hardware that I can somehow embed or connect with 3D-printed parts.
Huh? I disagree. A CNC can do the job of many tools while only taking up the space of one. And a small CNC and 3D printer together can make a vast array of extremely strong & functional things compared to just a 3D printer alone. And they can both be fit in a bedroom-sized space with enclosures. A workshop takes easily double the space at the bare minimum compared to these two tools, and I don't have that kind of space nor do I ever intend to. Although I do think that my initial description in the title of this post of "Desktop" CNC was a little bit inaccurate. No CNC will ever be on a desktop cause it's too loud. I guess I just meant a very small hobbyist CNC.
A makerspace is a good idea, but I don't have one within a less than 30 minute drive from my house (yet), and I also am not sure I would actually go there to use it if I did have one. I'm pretty lazy on my days off and don't wanna go anywhere for this kind of thing 😆 And thank you for the laser cutting service idea! I'll check that out
I don't deal with the CNC because the machines are too expensive to my taste (it was a real stretch building my Voron at the time), but I do follow a lot of people online who do. The machine that I was considering the most was the Makera Carvera. It was the only machine that had that Prusa-like experience that you mentioned you wanted. And like Prusa, it's just a bit more than you actually want to pay for!
From what I've heard the spindle on it is somewhat weak so you won't be able to handle most metals (though soft ones like aluminum an brass look doable), but it comes with the stuff you really need if it's going to be used on the desktop rather than the workbench (mainly, an enclosure and a suction system to clear out the chips), and the probe and automatic tool system are very nice things to have.