Top positive review
86 people found this helpful
Trust yourself and get this
By ChuckD on Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2022
I was just like you, reading reviews and contemplating if I should meander in to the world of CNC machines, a world that I know nothing about. If you're searching for these machines, you're already interested - so the only thing I can tell you is - get it. I have basic knowledge when it comes to electronics/hardware/software, if you're completely new to these things, the setup and usage may be slightly intimidating, but it IS easy enough that anyone can do it by following basic instructions. Like most mention - instruction manuals aren't the easiest to understand (for anything) but there are a ton of user videos all across the interwebs showing you how to set up/run the 3018. (seriously, if you need to learn anything, ever, about anything, ever, just YouTube or TikTok that ish) Out of box - I was a bit anxious. Any time you're opening a package that has hundreds of tiny parts it can seem like an uphill battle. If you dedicate a half hour or so of watching a set up video (all the way through), then setting it up while watching it again, it makes this set up a breeze. I had mine completed in about an hour, and after a minor issue was up and running. The V Bits that come with the machine are what I use most for cutting out designs. I also purchased some straight bits to use which, to me, are necessary if you're cutting out large pockets of material. As far as while this machine is running, people have mentioned noise quite often in reviews. I did not find the noise to be overwhelming. I have the 3018 set up in a room inside my house, and with the door shut, it doesn't disturb us at all. I use a Mac currently. I hate it, I was born and raised on a PC. So far I have found that Easel (it's a free application from inventables) is the easiest and most user friendly application to send G-Code, or your designs, to the machine. It's also incredibly user friendly for creating new designs for your 3018 if you're less than a novice and don't use any number of graphic suites (inkscape, illustrator, photoshop) along with Fusion 360 to create toolpaths for your designs. Windows users have a ton of more options to utilize your machine while connected to a computer, or you can upload your codes to the controller that comes with the machine to create your projects. I have used the 3018 quite often in the month I have had it. As always, there is trial and error involved. There is a learning curve when it comes to types materials to cut/carve at what speeds, and what types of bits to use. As you try a few projects here and there, you'll get much more comfortable about what to cut, and how to cut it. You can research and read about spindle speeds/materials/bits as much as you want, but you'll inevitably learn more from trial and error after having that basic knowledge from your prior research. So far I have mainly used MDF for my projects, though when attempting to use it on acrylic and copper, I can see the vast potential this machine has. CUSTOMER SERVICE for this product awesome. I had an minor issue during set up, and I was sent a replacement part incredibly quick. I was up and running the same week I received the machine. I have seen reviews complaining, but my experience reflects all of the glowing reviews about the help I received. This isn't a plug and play machine. You have to set it up. You have to learn it. At the price point, and with the capabilities this machine has - it is the PERFECT starter machine to get into the world of CNCs. All I can say is that you won't regret this if you try it. I'll upgrade the bed of the machine for larger projects, and eventually invest in the laser module to play with that as well. I would definitely recommend this machine and I would buy it again.
Top critical review
8 people found this helpful
I struggled with the rating (see details). Conditionally recommended
By Dad, the engineer on Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2019
The Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO is one of the more polarizing products I've purchased in recent memory. In case you suffer from TLDR; syndrome, I will tell you this: the 3018-PRO is an incredible value... especially if you get it on sale. It's also a bit of DIY PITA. So, now you know the summary... time for the details. The Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO arrives in a very compact box. That's made possible since the unit is COMPLETELY disassembled. This shouldn't be a huge surprise, considering the price point, but I'm telling you just in case. An important thing to know is that the mill's pieces appear to have come straight off of whatever machines were used to fabricate them. The aluminum extrusions are covered in metal shavings. All of the parts, including the bakelite pieces, have some machine oil on them. For best results, blow everything off with air (or brush it), and wipe down everything. If you are the DIY type (and I am), then a fully disassembled machine isn't really an issue... unless the assembly instructions aren't any good. On the plus side, the manual is pretty extensive (24 pages) considering the other types of vendors and devices in this market space. The english is clear, the diagrams are well drawn and easy to see, and the instructions of what to do with the software are clear. So what's wrong? Well, the diagrams don't explain what you're doing on any particular step. That's not necessarily a big deal, but I did miss using a spring as a brass fitting. It only took a few minutes to get it right, but it was still inconvenient. From unboxing to flipping the machine on took me about 40 minutes. TIP #1: It's not super obvious how some of the locking nuts are supposed to work, but they drop into the guide channel and spin onto locking position when almost fully screwed in. TIP #2: There are no instructions on how your working material is supposed to be secured to the table in the documentation provided. I did figure it out what to do with the hardware provided, but you should just look at the product page photos, and you'll see how the bolt + plate + screw arrangement works. Once everything was assembled and ready to go, I went to SainSmart's page to download the driver, firmware, and secondary software. No dice... I couldn't find it, so I had to copy it from the included mini-CD (but seriously... what about all of the people that don't have an optical drive?) on to a flash drive. Everything installed in a few minutes, and the mill was controlled properly from the GRBL software. The mill works, but it good to have realistic expectations. How well it works is heavily influenced by the spindle speed, the motor positioning rate, plunge depth, and the cutting tool quality. I used the mill with acrylic and wood, which are pretty much the softest materials you can use. Even with those I had to use really low step values to make sure that the side loads didn't cause too much bit deflection. I'd imagine better bits would help here. I think you'd want a more substantial machine if you want to mill some of the softer metals (aluminum, copper, and the like). As an introduction to CNCs, the 3018-PRO is a nice starting point. The polarizing thing for me is the price... I'd been looking at this item for a while, but never pulled the trigger at its normal price. A week or two ago the price dropped in a lightning deal by $50. If you can get that deal, I think it's a no-brainer. Value is a very subjective thing, though, so you may like it at the current price, too (YMMV). Conditionally recommended.
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