SainSmart Genmitsu CNC Router Machine 3018-PROVer
$249.99
$349
28% off
Reference Price
Condition: New
Style: 3018-PROVer
Top positive review
116 people found this helpful
This is a great machine. Prepare for an education.
By Michael R. on Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
Cutting to the chase, this machine is great. It's built like a tank, assembly instructions were fine, and there are a ton of resourced available online. I got my machine on Sunday, and on the following Saturday was able to cut the piece in my attached picture with no issues. In fact, the only issues that any of my cuts have had were of my own making. The machine works very well. That said, prepare to do some learning, some troubleshooting, and some problem solving. This is my first CNC, but I have extensive experience with 3D printers, and they're the same way. This machine isn't there to hold your hand while carving out intricate masterpieces. It's a tool that you need to learn to use. Another reviewer said something like "8 hours of failure was too much." (I had the same problem that he did. It was solved by changing the "Safe Retracts" setting in Fusion360.) If 8 hours of failure is too much for you, then this isn't the machine you want. To make this (or really any CNC machine) "work", you will need some basic understanding of G Code, 3D modelling, woodworking, and electronics. You don't need to be a master at any of this stuff, but you're going to touch all of it. It will take time. You will screw things up. You will get sawdust in your hair. That's what makes these things fun. Now, more specific to this machine itself, I was very, very impressed. There are many very similar units on Amazon, and I selected this one because of the included upgrades, and the known brand name. I found the machine to be extremely well built, and straightforward to assemble. The inclusion of limit switches is important. While limit switches can be a bit frustrating, they are there to make sure you don't accidentally send the machine a command that will damage it, and the work perfectly for that. I find the offline controller to be wonderful. There seems to be a lot of hate for this part, but I like that I can run he machine "headless" and not have to leave a laptop in my dust shop. I actually had a much smoother experience using the offline controller than I did using the PC-based Candle, but they both do the same job. My motor doesn't wobble, isn't loud, and hasn't had any issue cutting through various woods at 300mm/min. I did several calibration tests on the machine as soon as I got it built, and didn't have to adjust anything. The only bad things about the machine are the hold-down clamps that are included (they work, but are the definition of "fiddly"), the included Vee bits (again, they work as they should, but why give me a bunch of Vee bits and no end mill?) and the size of the workspace. The 3018 is actually a great size for a small workspace like mine, where it will need to be moved and worked around, but just like everyone else, I'd love to be able to make bigger stuff. I've probably said enough glowing stuff about this device, but I'll sum it up, here. When I spend ~$350 on a piece of Chinese technology that's based on open source designs, I expect to get a pretty low-end product that I can usually upgrade to make it useful. In this case, I got a solid, well-deigned, functioning piece of gear. I haven't been this amazed at how well a cheap gadget works since the Elegoo Mars Pro. If you're looking for a cool tool with a steep, but fun learning curve, look no further. If you want to easily and quickly cut wood (or metal) parts with the push of a button, maybe wait a few years. Software That I Used: -Candle (included) for machine control -Easel (very limited free use) for design and GCode Creation -F Engrave (free) for GCode creation -Carbide Create (free) for design and GCode Creation -Fusion360* (free) for design and GCode creation -Inkscape (free) for image design *Fusion360 is the real workhorse, here. It has by far the most features, but also the steepest learning curve. If you're familiar with Fusion360, you'll have no trouble. Otherwise start with Carbide Create.
Top critical review
21 people found this helpful
Product was damaged, support contacted updates to follow
By Amazon Customer on Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2021
Although I have not had a chance to use the product yet my initial review will be on it's unpacking, setup and condition on arrival. Was packed securely and when it was received the box was undamaged. Lots of stuff neatly packed in the box. Installation manual was clear with some included videos on the thumb drive. Setup will take awhile but just follow the directions and work carefully and you will have no issues. Everything looked great and went together seamlessly. I stared to set the Z Probe and as the Spindle moved over to the home position and I started to set the Z probe Kit onto the table I noticed a big ding on the top left corner of the table, see the attached pics. Further inspection of the top shows some scratches and scuffs in other areas too. During installation I used the thin flat Styrofoam packing to put the top of the table on to prevent such scratches so I'm 100% sure this is not user induced. Things like this happen and although unfortunate and time consuming (replacements) it's just part of the deal if you are the unlucky one. I don't feel that a used machine was shipped to me but looking at the top and the scuffs and this damage on the corner, it was probably damaged during installation or packing. Either way, I have contacted the seller and requested a replacement bed. I'm ok with that as long as I get a new bed back. I have left a 3 rating for the time being once I get the sellers response and actions I will report back here. Anything less than a "Sorry sir we will get one out to you right away will not bode well". Not asking for a full machine, I'm ok with a replacement bed as long as it's a "New" one. Stay tuned! UPDATE: 17 Jan 2021, So the seller contacted me right away and sent me a bed from China. It was on backorder and is enroute. Unfortunately I had issues with the machine. There is a Z Probe Calibration so each time you place a piece of work on the bed you calibrate the Z Axis with the probe so the machine knows where the surface of your material is. This worked once after that can't get it to work. Sometimes commands are not executed from the machine just when jogging with Candle the software that comes with it. Thought maybe it was a COMMS issue so I tried the offline controller. Same problems. I emailed the company many times, but took forever to get a response, I thought I had fixed the issues by uninstalling the driver and re-installing but eventually the Z Probe Calibration stopped working again. You can calibrate the Z Axis without the probe but why? If it's there I want to use it. Boxed it up and it's on the way back with a new unit to arrive Tuesday. BTW you can't disassemble the machine in 15 minutes let alone assemble it so this is a marketing gimmick about 15 minute install. If you assemble them daily yes you can but as a new buyer you will want to read through the manual and take your time. Think 45-90 minutes to assemble especially if your first CNC. Update 28 Jan, 21. Little bit of a delay in my update but I did receive a new unit. I returned the previous one through Amazon and a new CNC arrived a few days later. This one shipped from a different location. This router appeared to be brand new. Assembled it and everything tested and ran perfectly. I did order a bed extension kit and you guessed it, received it damaged and used. In the process of getting that replaced. So in conclusion, as far as operation, well all I've done for the last 2 weeks is deal with replacing used items purchased as new so really haven't had time to use it. I did mill the top of my spoil board to make sure it's flat. As far as dealing with the company, be warned you have a high probability of receiving used items when you purchase new. Look them over carefully. Not sure if this is Amazon or Sainsmart. If it's Amazon, it's easy to return and just inconvenient. If you purchase anything through Sainsmart, not so convenient and it takes a while but they did replace the bed and the bed extension so I have to give them credit there. I'll leave this at 3 stars due to the headache of multiple returns. EDIT: 8 Feb 2021. So I will make my final review here. I did receive a new unit which works great. I had also ordered a Y Axis bed extension from Sainsmart which arrived used and damaged. Of course I contacted them with pictures and they sent me out a replacement unit that arrived in satisfactory condition. So all in all I have had some bad luck with damaged units and replacement CNC however the customer support has been top notch. So if you do get a unit that is not up to par the Company will for sure make it right. So I will adjust my rating to 4 Stars and have to say that you can purchase with confidence that if you get a bad or damaged unit it will be replaced by the manufacturer. CNC router is together and I'm engraving. Keep in mind, no documentation on how to use a CNC router. For that you will have to go to the Facebook Group, search, read and experiment. Happy Engraving. EDIT: Bonus Content 2/14/2021 I have decided to rate this a 1 star. After I purchased the original CNC router I went to their company website and purchased their laser 159.00 USD. I just now go around to opening it up and installing it and guess what????? You guessed it, there was something missing. The power supply was missing. They sent the power cord which goes from the wall and to the power supply but no power supply. So I have a laser and no way to power it. I Do NOT recommend purchasing from this company. If you decide to sear TUMS you will need them.
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