Best Desktop CNC for Beginners: 5 Starter Routers Compared
Five beginner desktop CNC routers, from an enclosed pre-assembled machine to a 400 x 400 mm all-metal frame, compared by…
CNC Routers
CNC routers carve with a spinning bit instead of light. They cut thick wood, MDF, plastics that are unsafe to laser and soft aluminum, and carve signs and 3D reliefs. Each guide lists cutting area, spindle power and Z travel.
Not sure which type you need?
Bare metal points to a fiber laser, clear acrylic to CO2, wood and leather on a budget to a diode, and thick stock or 3D carving to a CNC router. The Machine Finder narrows it down in five questions, and the material guide shows what each type can cut.
Best CNC Router Under $1,000: 6 Desktop Machines Compared
Six desktop CNC routers under $1,000, compared by spindle, cutting area, Z travel, linear rails or lead screws, safety stops…