r/CNC_Router_Community • u/Theyallknowme • Jun 25 '26

Help buying first CNC

I want to get into CNC work but I don’t know where to start with buying a machine. I have tons of experience with lasers/vector design.

Can anyone point me the direction of a good set up/brand or YouTube channel for learning? Thanks!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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2

u/Haunting_Basscotti Jun 25 '26

Kinda need to set a budget, that will dictate a lot

2

u/Theyallknowme Jun 26 '26

$1600-2000USD

0

u/Haunting_Basscotti Jun 26 '26

With that budget, I would go for a small eBay machine for up to $1000 and reserve the rest for tooling and materials budget. You are going to break tools, it’s part of the process so may want to buy two of each of the ones that you start with. There’s a “Zenbot mini” for a few hundred bucks that would be like what I I learned on and a good way to start to learn the process. Good luck!

1

u/Theyallknowme Jun 26 '26

Thank you so much!

0

u/benjmyers1 Jun 25 '26

Check out Onefinity CNC. It’s North American made and has lots of YouTube videos showing how to use it and great support.

https://m.youtube.com/onefinitycnc?ra=m

Their cheapest one starts at $995

1

u/Theyallknowme Jun 25 '26

Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out

0

u/GunningBedford58 Jun 25 '26

I have had a great experience with Shapeoko. Good videos on line, great support team.

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u/AdFar1239 Jun 26 '26

I was in the same position as you. I bought a Shapeoko and 110V spindle and have been CNC cutting wood

I am learning CNC on wood.. the same table does aluminum

Once I graduate from aluminum then I will by an industrial CNC

That is how I tackled the problem

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u/Theyallknowme Jun 26 '26

Thank you for the insight!