Best CNC Routers For Woodworking Nov(2024)

Here I have explained about Best CNC Routers For Woodworking.


Also I have covered different categories of CNC Router which are perfect for Woodworking..

For example:

  • Best Overall
  • Best Personal and Professional use
  • Best Budget, etc.

Let check them one by one….,

Recommended readings:
Best CNC Machine for beginner.
Know more about best CNC router which are good for small business.
Learn about Home CNC Machine.
Best CNC Router for small shop.

Best CNC Routers For Woodworking

#1 Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO Router Kit (Best Overall)

Feature & Specs

  • Handle Length: 45 millimeters
  • Included Components: Wood Carving Milling Engraving Machine
  • Item Thickness: 0.1 millimeters
  • Item Weight: 15.33 pounds
  • Effective Engraving Area: 300 x 180 x 45 mm(11.8 x 7.1 x 1.8”)
  • Frame Size: 400 x 330 x 240 mm(15.7 x 13.0 x 9.4″)
  • Frame Material: PF+ Aluminum
  • Z-Axis Component Material: Nylon
  • Spindle: 775 motor, 24V, 10000 RPM
  • Rated power: 60W; Maximum power: 120W
  • Step Motor: 1.3 A, 12V, 0.25 Nm torque (2.2 in lb)
  • Drill Bits: Tip 0.1 mm, 20 degree, Diameter 3.175 mm
  • Supported OS: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, MAC OS
  • Software: Grbl control(Candle)
  • Power Supply: 24V/5A

The Bad

Not appropriate for a large project
This machine can cut soft material. It would be preferable if it could handle large projects and challenging materials..

The Good

Controller software
The upgraded Genmitsu 3018-Pro uses Grbl, a powerful Open-Source programme that runs on Arduino for controlling movement.

So you can control your machine and execute Gcode design files using the Carveco Maker Cam Design Software and Candle.

Quality construction
This unit is sturdy and has great quality control.

Ease to use
It is incredibly easy to use. You just bring down the Z-axis level on your material, select the G code file and it will begin..

Since there are no limit switches, it is simple to move and start on a fresh piece of wood for a new design.

You can use it with an offline controller & laser..

Assembly
Assembly is easy. The included manual instruction is simple to follow.

Also the assembly videos available on YouTube Just take your time and watch the video. It will help you to determine the little things.

You can contact customer care if you don’t have everything you need for a proper assembly or if something is damaged or missing.

Good for Beginner
For learning,  and experimenting it’s fantastic.
You can learn what speed should be used to carve or cut and what type of bits should be used in what type of material.

Cutting ability
It is able to cut soft aluminum, wood, acrylic, pvc, and pcbs in addition to all types of plastics.

What do I love the most?

This advanced Genmitsu CNC 3018-Pro Router can engrave all types of materials at such a low cost that it is ideal for a woodworker..

Pros

  • Upgraded power adapter/Control Board.
  • Easy to install.
  • It has a dust shoe to remove dust.
  • Comes with a noise reduction feature.

Cons

  • No limit switches.
  • Hard materials are incompatible.

Tips: If you want to protect the router table from damage than purchase a MDF spoilboard..

#2 MYSWEETY 2 in 1 5500mW CNC 3018 Pro (Best Budget)

Feature & Specs

  • Manufacturer: MYSWEETY
  • Item Weight:‎15: 82 pounds
  • Package Dimensions: ‎17.5 x 9.5 x 7 inches
  • Size: Extra Large
  • Material:‎ Phenolic resin + aluminum

The Bad

No limit switches
There are no limit switches on the MYSWEETY 2 in 1 5500mW CNC 3018 Pro, therefore you must be careful when positioning and scaling your work.

Difficult to connect red and black wire.
It is difficult to identify the positive and negative wire in a spindle motor since there is no mark to identify.. 

The Good

Controller & Software
Mysweety has a GRBL-based control and support system that allows you to use Windows XP, Win 7, 8, and 10.

Built quality
It’s a very durable unit. It is made of Phenolic resin + aluminum.

Easy to assemble
You will get a CD in the package which comes with this machine. The assembly instructions are easy to follow. The manual book has a written instruction and pictures..

Great learning tool
If you want to learn CNC or laser engraving, this is amazing.

Additionally, it is a fantastic tool for learning CNC and GRBL on.

You will discover how to choose the perfect bit sizes and types of bits to use. Additionally, you can learn how to organize your tasks with workspace, etc.

You can place this CNC router anywhere, even a garage and workshop..

Application
It can carve wood, bamboo, plastic, paper, ivory, leather, combustible materials, PCBs, acrylic, ceramic and stone, as well as paint and plating for metal surfaces.

However you can not work on silver, jewelry, iron, glass, or 201/304 stainless steel with this machine.

Offline Controller
You can use an offline controller with a 1G capacity to cut and engrave materials like PVC, acrylic, PCB, and plastic.

You can operate the CNC router without connecting to the computer..

What do I love the most?

I love this machine since it is effective and amazingly accurate. Also it is a budget friendly CNC Router.

Pros

  • Simple to assemble.
  • Good for small project.
  • Low price.

Cons

  • This machine is not suitable for a big project.

#3 FoxAlien CNC Router Machine (Best Personal and Professional use)

The 4040-XE is now a much more effective and professional CNC router; it is no longer merely a toy or teaching equipment.

Feature & Specs

  • Brand: FoxAlien
  • Power Source: Ac/dc
  • Voltage: 110 Volts
  • Active Working Area: 15.75 x 15.75 x 2.16 inch (400 x 400 x 55mm)
  • Spindle Power: 300W
  • Stepper Motor: NEMA 23
  • Accuracy: 0.1mm
  • Max. Moving Speed: 2000mm/min
  • Spindle speed range: 0~10000.
  • Input Power Supply: 110V/10A
  • Control Method: Computer/Controller offline control
  • Firmware: GRBL 1.1h
  • Support Software: Compatible with Grbl-control software.
  • Support OS: Windows XP/7/8/10, Linux, Mac OS
  • Machine Size: 29.92 x 24.4 x 14.17 inch (760 x 620 x 360mm)
  • Support Add-ons: 5W/15W/20W power module; DWP611 router (need a different z clamp). (Add-ons are NOT included)
Using lasergrbl on FoxAlien 4040xe
Using lasergrbl on FoxAlien 4040xe.

The Bad

  • It’s challenging to adjust the belts.
  • It is somewhat loud.

The Good

Built quality
The spindle bracket is made of solid aluminum and comes with notches that allow you to clamp in a laser module.

Controller & Software
This CNC machine is compatible with GRBL-control software because it is a GRBL based CNC machine.

The offline controller and a control box makes this machine more reliable.

Its controller box has a nice big touchscreen interface which also functions as an offline controller. Easy to operate and it is safe too.

Included
This machine includes a control board, power supply, emergency stop, and wires are integrated into a newly designed box.

Large engravable area
The machine has a big workspace to engrave that can handle both small and large materials.

The engraving area of this machine is 15.75”x15.75”x2.56” (400x400x65mm).

Capability
It has the ability to drill, cut, and engrave a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, MDF, acrylic, foam, resin, nylon, carbon fiber, and PCB.

Straightforward assembly
It is simple to assemble..

The 4040-XE takes slightly less time and effort to put together than the 3018-SE.

The 4040-XE comes in a huge box and the main parts are pre-assembled .

What do I love the most?

It is perfect for both personal and professional use since it can handle large and small materials.

Pros

  • Includes a touchscreen LCD.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Comes with a stop-emergency button.
  • Able to work with both large and small materials.

Cons

  • The belts are difficult to adjust.
  • It is little bit loud.
Credit: Oldman’s WorkShop

#4 SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer (Best for Beginner)

Feature & Specs

  • Brand: SainSmart
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Power Source: Corded Electric
  • Voltage: 24 Volts
  • Maximum Rotational Speed: 10000 RPM
  • Working Area: 260 x 155 x 35mm (10.2 x 6.1 x 1.4in)
  • Frame: All Aluminum
  • Structure: V-slot Linear Rails
  • Spoilboard: T-track
  • Spindle Motor: 775 motor 10kRPM
  • Stepper Motor: 1.3A
  • The 3018-PROver controller is based on Arduino.
  • Wood Carving Machine
  • Limit Switches
  • Emergency-Stop 

The Bad

The bracket for the spindle could be stronger.
You can’t try to machine anything with tight tolerances.

The Good

Good for beginner
The SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer Desktop CNC Router is the perfect Machine for a beginner. Since it is easy to use.

Easy to assemble
Since this is a small machine and it comes pre-assembled, there’s no hassle in assembling the parts.

Suitable material
This machine is especially used to cut or design soft material. That is why it is considered better for beginners and small startups.

Included

  • A toolbox
  • Acrylic side plates
  • Motor & controller cables
  • Power cables
  • Nut/screw accessories box
  • Offline control module
  • Drill bits
  • 24V power supply
  • GRBL motherboard
  • Screwdriver
  • Spindle motor
  • Y-axis base, and X & Z axe gantries.

Safety Feature

Sainmart offers optocouplers to protect your mainboard from abrupt pauses and eliminate signal noise for more reliable projects and endurance.

It contains an emergency stop button that gives you quick access to turning off the system. It is noticeable.

Additionally, it features acrylic safety baffles that act as a safety wall and absorb the dust.

The 1.8-inch display on this CNC router allows for manual control of the machine.

Good for small business
It’s a small machine, so it’s very limited on the size of your projects. I’m getting good results and am very happy with the machine.

What do I love the most?

The machine can be upgraded by adding the appropriate SainSmart laser module kit.

Pros

  • You have access to a wide range of materials.
  • Good for beginner.

Cons

  • It would have been better if the working place was a little bigger.
  • Machine parts are not easy to replace.

Tips: Buy some carbide bits; They are long lasting and hold up well under normal use..

Conclusion

The post concludes by highlighting the top CNC routers for woodworking and offering helpful advice to woodworkers. These top-rated routers provide accuracy, adaptability, and efficiency, making them necessary equipment for every woodworking project. Woodworkers can improve their craft and produce results of a professional level by investing in one of these CNC routers..

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