SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer V2 CNC Router Machine for Beginner, Mini Milling Engraver Kit with Z-Probe, Limit Switches, E-Stop, Ideal for Wood, Acrylic, MDF, Plastic (Without Offline Controller)

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.

Hi guysI bought this router in January and would like to say a few words about my first experience.Ease of assemblyYou will have no problem. It's really simple. There is a manual and there is a YouTube video. I spent about an hour and it was stress-free.Ease of first useIt's fine.Before buying, I was worried about how well it worked. In vain. This is a truly wonderful invention. Thanks to the engineers.And I didn’t expect this complex machine to be so easy to control.Within one hour I learned to work with this router and again had no problems.Problems start with the software "Candle"It is assumed that we all buy a CNC router to create something especial. And this is where the problems begin. If you want to do something that has more than four corners, be prepared to grapple with obstacles.The seller offers software that turns your idea into machine codes. This is Candle. I have not been able to figure out how to use this software. Please note that in the YouTube video someone is using Easel, and not the supplied Candle, which is part of the kit of this router.The complexity of the proposed Candle is high. There is no technical documentation for Candle. Moreover, the supplied Candle does not perform the operations shown in the YouTube video. Try uploading your image or picture from your file...Now I use Easel which is easy to create images. This Easel was created for another router. I spend a lot of time creating any image all the time.Easel often loses the rotation speed of the router and I have to create new files. Easel often does not recognize the text as a whole object and I have to start over an old project every time. But Easel at least creates files for carving.Excuse me sellers, but if you offer software like Candle then this should have a manual. Without a detailed technical description for the software, this router often becomes not a smart machine but a piece of iron.I gave 5 scores to this router. Without a doubt, this CNC router is the best in its class of small routers.I can't give 2 scores to the supplied software just because it is free according to the seller. No problems.I hope my opinion will be useful for people who is decides to buy or no this router.