CNC 3018 Pro Engraving Machine Kit, TOPQSC Upgraded Router Engraver Machine GRBL Control Router Kit 3 Axis Plastic Acrylic PVC Wood Carving Milling Engraving Machine

I've been using this CNC for five months now, mainly for architectural prototyping, and can highly recommend it for the cost. The accuracy and tolerance of the 3018 is comparable to much larger and significantly more expensive piranha machines used at work when milling soft material such as pine of high density foam (Images attached)I was completely new to the world of CNC before buying this machine, so putting it together takes some patience, but is not incredibly difficult. Doing part of the assembly yourself is a great way to understand how the machine operates and what its limitations are.The recommend software is very limiting, mainly just allowing for 2.5D Milling. I encourage anyone looking to get into digital fabrication to take the time and learn to use Fusion 360. It's free for hobbyists and is incredibly capable to 3D toolpathing.The machine is by no means perfect, and you'll encounter a number of quirks when using it. I often have issues setting the Z depth, which can be problematic when milling on two sides of the stock. Milling anything harder than softwood will be difficult on anything by the lowest feedrates, and will of course be very loud. I built a small, dampened enclosure which really helps with the noise.Overall though, I've had a lot of fun learning how to CNC on this 3018. For starting out, I can't recommend it highly enough!

UPDATE: As of June 2020, I have still not received a replacement offline controller...As a consequence I have barely used this product, as it is massively inconvenient to have to connect my laptop and leave it connected until the CNC Machine finishes its work.Although this is a good quality kit, and relatively straightforward to assemble, you do have to take your time, and especially make sure the grub screws on the screw-thread rods are secure...I have had to take it apart twice in 3 months to re-secure the grub screws attaching the threaded poles to the drive motors!I also have to run it directly from my laptop, as the offline controller does not work with the G-Code files I generate from the free Easel CNC Software. The supplier said they would send me a replacement...but never did...citing Coronavirus as the cause for lack of supply.I would also have to question the quality of the cutters. The V-Bits are EXCEPTIONALLY pointy and sharp!, which are great for detailed "carving-style" work, whereas the straight milling bits are quite large (3mm in diameter), and don't seem the highest quality/sharpest bits, causing quite a lot of rip-out to even hardwood grain. I have yet to investigate suitable higher-quality bits, as - to be honest - without the offline controller, it is a bit of a faff to set the machine up to carve every time the urge takes me!I have probably only used it 10-15 times in the three months I have had it...but I am just about to explore the 3D carving possibilities!I didn't opt for the laser module, as it seemed all this could do was burn a pattern on leather, or cut paper.However, it was cheap and it is a great introduction to CAM and the world of CNC. If you want something more accurate, robust, with a larger work area, you need to look elsewhere.

The media could not be loaded.  found this CNC machine on Amazon after being let down elsewhere as I needed one to expand my craft hobby business. machine ordered via prime which came next day.Packaged well and came dismantled, I have read a few reviews stating this but it only took me approximately an hour to put together - the instructions were easy to follow. Machine is alot quieter than I anticipated which is good! the components are all of good quality and once put together the machine is very sturdy.you can use the machine online/ via the offline controller and I have started to play around with some designs with online software - the machine links up really well but no teaching problems.I haven't cut anything yet as I need to go and get some wood but so far I am really impressed.

Great product for the price. Made PCBs with it. Much cleaner then using an etching tank.I did have an EMF issue related to the ch450 usb to serial chip on the main board what caused disconnects. Wasn't hard to resolve by bypassing and adding my own usb to serial. Been solid since. :)

Very easy to assemble, and you can get started straight away once assembled.The build quality is very poor even for a hobby machine. As with most things that vibrate bolts without locking washers or locking nuts come loose constantly, The spindle died on the second piece of work. It was only cutting into ply at a depth of .01mm. My Dremel cut much better. IMO it is not worth the money as you will need to upgrade the spindle to do anything outside of balsa with this. I should have saved and got a better machine with a better spindle!

Instructions were very poor for the wiring i just kind of worked it out for myself. It worked great as a startup machine but you will quickly outgrow this.

Not assembled at all....you even have to do the wiring...I already know there is no chance of me ever using this, I can’t do electrics for the life of me. I wasn’t expecting this at all, just some minor assembly, not this degree in engineering bs.

There are a lot of similar CNC3018 engravers around. This one is great. All the parts are very well made, the packaging is superb and the assembly instructions are basic but perfectly adequate.The supplied software is sufficient to get you started but there is a lot of other software online, much of it free/open source to enhance the capability.There is a lot of learning to do to get the best of these machines but fortunately there are hundreds of YouTube videos. Take it slow, don't try to do too much too soon, and watch lots of videos.