Buy 2023 Best CNC Router Machines Online, Pick Up Affordable CNC Router Tables in Store at Cost Price

Are you looking forward to building your own automatic CNC routers for wood, MDF, plywood, aluminum, copper, brass, stone, foam, plastic, acrylic, and glass? Are you coming up with an idea to buy affordable CNC router tables online with sizes including 2x2, 2x3, 2x4, 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, 5x10, 6x12 instead of DIY (Do It Yourself) for your home shop, small business, hobbyists, training, school education, commercial use, and industrial manufacturing? Are you picking up the best budget CNC router kit in the top rated CNC machine manufacturer, supplier, dealer, seller, maker, or brand with 24/7 free service & support in USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, Russia, South Africa, China, India, or other countries from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania? Review the best buying guide in 2023 for beginners, operators, machinists, carpenters, artisans, builders, woodworkers, metal fabricators, foam fabricators, and stone workers with styles & types of mini, small, tabletop, benchtop, desktop, portable, handheld (DSP controller), gantry, and large format. STYLECNC will be the best store & shop that can offer you the top rated new & used CNC router machines on sale at cost price in 2023 within your budget with free expert customer service to fit your 2D/3D personalized cutting, carving, drilling, grooving, turning, milling projects and solutions.

What Is A CNC Router?

A CNC router is an automatic power tool with computer numerical controller for smart cutting & milling wood, MDF, plywood, foam, stone, ceramic, plastic, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and other metals, which is used in hobbyists, home shop, small business, school training, commercial use, and industrial manufacturing. A CNC router machine works with an automatic controller to transmit the designed and layout file information and converts the data into machine-readable G-code through a computer to drive the X, Y, and Z axes to get the job done with router bits for making 2D, 2.5D, 3D projects with extreme precision and complexity, which is an automated kit compared to a handheld router. It is also known as computer numerical control router, C and C router kit, computerized router machine, computer-controlled router table.

A CNC router kit is composed of controller, software, operating system, machine frame (bed), spindles, gantry, motor, driver, guide rail, ball screw, power supply, T-slot table or vacuum table, vacuum pump, collet, limit switch, rack & pinion, and additional accessories & parts.

How Many Types of CNC Routers?

When you have an idea to build or buy a machine tool to start or grow your business, you need to understand which type is suitable for your plans or projects, let's make an introduction. The definition of type depends on the applications and axes features of the machine. One of the most common types is based on application features, including types of hobby router kits (mini types, small types, portable types, desktop types, benchtop types, tabletop types), and types of large industrial router kits (wood router kits, metal router kits, stone router kits, foam router kits, plastic router kits, aluminum router kits, glass router kits). The other is based on axis features, including 3 axis types, 4th axis (rotary axis) types, 4 axis types, 5 axis types, and multi axis types.

Technical Parameters

How Many Types of CNC Router Tables?

A CNC router table is a type of automatic workbench kit with all the parts and accessories needed to build the complete mechanical portion of a standard machine tool. The most common table kits (by feet) include 2x2, 2x3, 2x4, 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, 5x10, and 6x12. The types are also known as 16x16, 16x24, 24x24, 24x36, 24x48, 48x48, 48x96, 60x120, 80x120, 80x160 in inches. Someone might refer to a table top as 4040, 6040, 6060, 6090, 1212, 1218, 1224, 1325, 1530, 2030, 2040 in terms of millimeters (mm).

DIY Router Table Building Plans

How Does A CNC Router Machine Work?

A CNC router machine is a smart computer controlled cutting tool that works automatically with at least three axes of X, Y, and Z to get the job done, which is an upgrade version from the handheld router and digital router. The X-axis is horizontal, the Y-axis vertical, and the Z-axis refers vertical to the other two axis. A computer controller reads G-code or other machine language instructions and drives a tool for motion control. The spindle holds the tool, moves along X, Y and Z axis, following the tool path generated by the software. In the 3 axis router machine, the tool is always vertical, and undercuts are not possible. In addition, the 3 axis kit can be equipped with a rotary axis (4th axis) around the X, Y and Z axis, which is known as an automatic lathe machine. It is mainly used for cylinder carving & cutting projects and some 3D projects. A real 4 axis router machine has one additional axis, which refers to X-Y-Z-A, X-Y-Z-B, X-Y-Z-C. Four axis are linked, which can work at the same time. 5 axis router machine has two additional axis, which refers to X-Y-Z-A-B, X-Y-Z-A-C, X-Y-Z-B-C. The machine moves a tool on five different axis at the same time. The spindle can be rotated left and right by 180 degrees around. These additional axis allow for shorter project time due to their capability of carving five edges of the material simultaneously. The position is determined by a computer. The computer will tell the motors how much to move in each direction. Any location within the work area can be defined by using the method of positioning. The machine can be moved within that space, and the machine is connected to a computer, the computer will tell it where to move. First, the operator should do the tool path creation, the operator uses CAD (Computer-Aided Design) & CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software to draw the shapes and create the tool path that the machine will follow.

Overall, when you have plans in your mind, what kind of table sizes should be chosen? Which all depends on your requirements and budgets.

What Are CNC Routers Used For?

CNC routers are used for woodworking, sign making, furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, custom millwork, channel letters, model making, joinery, orthotic manufacturing, point-of-purchase (pop), jewelry manufacturing, CAD/CAM instructional, prosthetic manufacturing, educational, solid surface production, prototyping, radius mouldings, aerospace, foam packaging, countertop production, plastic packaging equipment manufacturers, mannequin production, metal working, musical instrument manufacturers, packaging, store fixtures, boat building, extrusions cutting boards, PCB fabricators, safety enclosures, conveyor manufacturers, engraving, pool cues, magnetic, gun stock manufacturers, knife template manufacturing, fan blade manufacturers, pistol grip manufacturers, korbal manufacturers, kneuls manufacturing, artistic carvings, name tags, MDF doors, puzzles in industrial manufacturing, small business, small shop, home business, home shop, school education, hobbyists, and SMBs.

Applied Materials

CNC routers are fully automatic computer numerical controlled machine tool kits used for cutting & milling a variety of materials such as wood, plywood, MDF, foam, plastic, acrylic, stone, aluminum, copper, brass, and many more soft metals.

Solid Wood & Hard Wood: Redwood, cherry, cottonwood, ash, oak, pine, birch, mahogany, poplar, beech, hard maple, walnut, teak, purple heart, tigerwood, hickory, leopardwood, cocobolo, bloodwood, aspen, basswood, alder, yellow birch, red elm, beech, cypress, gum, hackberry, pacific coast maple, pecan, red oak, bolivian rosewood, sycamore, sassafras, white oak, hondura mahogany, black walnut, spanish cedar, african padauk, willow, wenge.

Soft Wood: Soft maple, pine, fir, hemlock, cedar, spruce, redwood.

Composite Wood: MDF, OSB, LDF, plywood, masonite, particle board, melamine.

Plastic: ABS, PVC, PET, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, cast and extruded acrylic, uhmw, phenolic, luan, vhmw, hdpe, mica, acetate, sintra, lucite, marine PVC, nylon, lexan, wood plastic, solid surface materials.

Stone: Tombstone, granite, natural marble, milestone, jade, artificial stone, bluestone, sandstone, ceramic tile.

Metal: Copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, honeycomb aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel.

Foam: Sign foam, polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, EVA, styramfoam, urethane, precision board, foam rubber, silicone rubber.

Other Materials: PCB, ren board, fiberglass, vinyl coated panels, machinable wax, mat board, butter board, gypsum, magnetic rubber mats, composites, leather, wood veneers, mother-of-pearl, delrin, rubber, modeling clay.

How Much Does A CNC Router Cost?

Different table sizes, features, durability, performance, and quality will lead to different costs, including the assembly parts and optional accessories. A CNC router is built with machine bed frame, X, Y table (T-slot table or vacuum table), spindle, gantry, ball screw, guide rail, vacuum pump, driver, motor, controller, operating system, software, collet, rotary 4th axis, limit switch, power supply, rack and pinion. CNC machines from different manufacturers and brands have different customer service and support, which will lead to different costs.

Machines from different countries have different tax rates, different customs, different shipping costs. All of these factors will result in the final price. All depends on your specific needs, CNC routers vary in cost.

The cost of DIY CNC router kits start around $1,800 for your own building plans. Most small entry level CNC routers for hobbyist are picked up from $2,380 to $5,080, while some large format types can be as expensive as $6,780. The higher-end types, such as professional CNC router tables for enthusiast are priced anywhere from $3,280 to $18,000, depending on the machine's features and capabilities. The enterprise and industrial CNC router machines cost anywhere from $16,000 to $150,000 for commercial use, which are pricey to own and operate for beginners.

Pick Up Your Budget

How To Choose The Best CNC Router Kits?

The best machine tool kits are built on the brand and quality of the core hardware, and what software is used.

Spindle Motor

The spindle is the core component of the machine and can be used for high-speed cutting, milling, carving, engraving, and drilling, involving a wide range of industries. The machine is generally equipped with a high-performance spindle to play its role. When the spindle is working, high-speed rotation will generate a lot of heat. If the heat is not dissipated in time, it will have a great impact on the service life of the spindle, and in severe cases, the spindle will be burned. There are two main cooling methods for the spindle: water cooling and air cooling.

So the question is coming? How to choose the right spindle?

The higher the hardness of the cutting material, the lower the rotational speed of the spindle. This is actually quite understandable. Materials with high hardness need to be slowly ground down. If the rotational speed is too fast, the tool may be damaged. The higher the viscosity of the material, the higher the rotational speed of the spindle used, which is mainly for some soft metals or man-made materials. The diameter of the tool used by the machine is also a very important factor in determining the spindle speed. In fact, the diameter of the tool is related to the materials. The larger the diameter of the tool, the slower the spindle speed. The determination of the spindle speed is also based on the use of the spindle motor. From the spindle motor power curve, we can see that when the speed is reduced, the output power of the motor is also reduced. If the output power is low to a certain extent, it will affect the processing, which will have a worse effect on the tool life and workpiece. Therefore, when determining the speed, attention should be paid to ensure that the spindle motor has a certain output power.

Machine Beds & Components

Machine beds and components manufacturing process: The high power machinery requires the body to be precise and stable when working. Therefore, long-term high power machining should use the casting body to ensure its accuracy and stability.

CNC Controllers

CNC controllers are also generally divided into two types: one type of controller is only driven, and all computing operations are completed by a computer. The computer is in a waiting state while the machine is working, and cannot perform typesetting work. Another type of controller is controlled by a single board computer or a single-chip computer.

This controller is actually a computer, so as long as the machine starts working, the computer can immediately perform other typesetting work, especially when working for a long time, the advantages are particularly obvious. The most common controllers include DSP, Mach3, Ncstudio, OSAI, LNC, and Syntec.

Ball Screw & Guide Rails

Ball screw and guide rails are also important parts. High quality ball screw and guide rails are the guarantee of machining precision and performance when the machine is used for a long time.

Table Kit

The table kit is mainly divided into the table top of aluminum profile (T-Slot fixturing table) and the table top of vacuum adsorption. The work piece on the T-Slot table needs to be fixed manually with rivets, while the vacuum table can automatically fix it. Relatively speaking, the vacuum table can save time and be firmer. The structure of the vacuum adsorption table is mainly composed of a vacuum pump and a high-quality electric board, so compared to the T-Slot table, the vacuum adsorption table is relatively more expensive.

The vacuum adsorption table can be divided into six partitions or eight partitions for vacuum adsorption, and the adsorption capacity can be enhanced by the partitioned vacuum adsorption table. When we need to cut woodworking panels, we now place the panels on the table, then open the vacuum suction valve, and the panels are directly fixed to the vacuum suction table. It is mainly suitable for large-area flat panel machining.

Software

The CAD/CAM softwares are free, cracked, or paid, all depends on your requirements. The most common softwares include Type3, ArtCAM, Aspire, AutoCAD, Cabinet Vision, CorelDraw, UG, Solidworks, PowerMILL, and Fusion360.

How To Use A CNC Router Machine For Beginners?

The operation has always been a concern for many prospective customers. In everyone's impression, it's a fully automated machining equipment to make accurate cuts, and difficult to operate this high-precision computerized router machine. So many people retreat before they understand and learn, fearing that they won't be able to use. In fact, CNC routing is a very complicated and cumbersome operation. As long as you learn it with your heart, it is easy to use for beginners, and there is nothing difficult to understand.

Now STYLECNC will introduce the 5 operation steps in details as your reference.

Step 1. Turn On to Start.

1. Turn on the power of the control computer and monitor, and start the software

2. Press the power switch.

3. Turn on the spindle motor cooling water pump and check the cooling water flow.

4. If the machine is turned on for the first time today, depress the handle of the lubricating oil injector once, and add lubricating oil to the lubricated part.

5. Perform the mechanical origin return operation in the software, and eliminate possible collisions before the operation.

6. Manually move each feed axis 1 to 2 back and forth within the full stroke.

Step 2. Workpiece Clamping.

1. Place the cushion material in the center of the workbench.

2. Place the workpiece to be processed on the mat.

3. Use at least 4 sets of pressure plates to fix the workpiece on the worktable.

4. Check whether the workpiece is clamped firmly.

5. Find the edge and set the workpiece origin:

5.1. Move the spindle along the feed axis that accurately sets the origin until the tool will touch the workpiece.

5.2. Start the spindle.

5.3. Switch to single-step movement with step size 0.01mm or 0.05mm.

5.4. Move in one step until the rotating tool touches the workpiece. At this time, a slight noise will be heard.

5.5. Zero the workpiece coordinates of this axis or record the current machine coordinates.

5.6. Move the axis to move the tool away from the workpiece, and pay attention to confirm that the moving direction is correct.

Step 3. CNC Tool Changing.

1. Disconnect the power to ensure that the spindle motor stops.

2. Move the spindle to a position where it is easy to change the cutter, and place the soft material directly under the cutter to avoid damaging the cutting edge when the cutter falls.

3. Fix the spindle with a small wrench, and turn the chuck nut clockwise (viewed from top to bottom) with a large wrench, taking care not to hit the cutting edge with the wrench.

4. If you need to replace the chuck, unscrew the chuck nut and replace the chuck to remove foreign objects in the machine chuck and chuck nut.

5. Check whether the cutting edge of the router bit to be clamped is intact.

6. Install the collet and nut on the spindle.

7. Insert the router bit to be clamped into the hole of the chuck, as far as possible according to the actual situation (but the cylindrical part of the bit cannot be fully inserted), and tighten the nut by hand. This step cannot be reversed from the previous step: do not insert the bit before installing the nut on the spindle.

8. Tighten the nuts with two wrenches, being careful not to use too much force, and also being careful not to hit the cutting edge with the wrench.

9. Confirm that the wrench is away from the spindle, and turn on the power.

10. Set the router bit again and set the Z coordinate of the workpiece origin.

Step 4. Start CNC Programming.

1. Confirm the following work:

1.1. The router bit is firmly clamped.

1.2. The workpiece origin is set correctly, especially the Z coordinate of the workpiece origin after tool change.

1.3. Workpieces are clamped firmly.

1.4. The NC program is loaded correctly.

2. Adjust the feedrate override to about 30% in the software and start programming.

3. After confirming that there is no abnormal operation, adjust the feedrate override to the normal value.

4. Someone must be on duty during operation.

Step 5. Shut Down to Stop.

1. Return to the mechanical origin.

2. Remove the router bit and the chuck nut is allowed to stay on the spindle.

3. Turn off the machine.

4. Turn off the computer, this step can not be reversed with the previous step.

Router Bits & Tools

The installation and operation of router bits is a very important job for accurate cuts. If the bits are not installed correctly, it will not only increase the wear of the bits, but also cause inaccurate accuracy and difficulty in routing. Therefore, sufficient attention must be paid.

STYLECNC summarizes the following methods to install bits & tools correctly.

1. Before installing the tool, check the wear of the bit first. If there are defects such as chipping or severe wear, replace the bit with a new one or use it after it is repaired to make accurate cuts.

2. The relevant surface must be cleaned and wiped clean before installation, and the gasket and hole burrs must be carefully removed to prevent dirt and burrs from affecting the accuracy of the tool installation position.

3. When clamping the tool with a washer, the two ends of the washer must be as parallel to each other as possible. If it is found that the bit is skewed after installation, the position of the washer should be adjusted to minimize the cumulative error of the washer. Until the router bit does not shake after driving.

4. Straight shank milling cutters are usually installed with spring chucks. When installing, tighten the nut to make the spring sleeve shrink radially to clamp the shank of the milling cutter

5. Installation of taper shank milling cutter: When the size of the taper shank of the milling cutter is the same as the taper hole at the end of the spindle, it can be directly installed in the taper hole and tightened with a tie rod. Otherwise, use transitional taper sleeves for installation.

6. After the tool holder is inserted into the spindle, tighten the router bit with the tightening screw. It should be noted that the direction of rotation of the router bit must be consistent with the thread direction of the tie rod, so that the thread of the tie rod and the milling cutter can be connected more tightly during rotation, otherwise the milling tool may come out.

7. Without affecting the routing, try to make the bit as close to the spindle bearing as possible, and make the hanger bearing as close as possible to the bit. If the bit is far away from the main bearing, a rack bearing should be installed between the spindle bearing and the milling cutter.

8. When installing the bit, the key should not be removed. Because there is no key on the cutter shaft, if there is uneven force during milling or under heavy load cutting, the bit tends to slip. At this time, the cutter shaft itself bears great radial resistance and resistance, which will easily cause the cutter shaft to bend, and damage to the fixing gasket.

9. After the router bit is installed, check all the related washers and nuts again to prevent loosening. And use a dial indicator to check the radial jump or end jump of the router bit to see if it is within the allowable range.

10. After the tool axis shaft is removed, it should be hung on the rack to prevent the tool axis shaft from bending and deforming. Under special circumstances, when it needs to be stored horizontally, wood chips or soft items should be used to pad it to prevent scratches and deformation.

Buyer's Guide

You will meet various CNC router brands from all over the world when buying a computer-controlled router kit, and have no idea which brand is suitable for your business within your budget. You don't need to worry about this, STYLECNC will help you to make the right choice with any budget and customized requirements.

STYLECNC will provide customers with a variety of practical and inexpensive machines. No matter what you think, you can make a final price and service comparison, which brand or supplier will be your ultimate choice, just get free quote from the merchants that fit your plans, you ultimately have to decide on your own needs. We integrate R&D, design, sales, manufacturing and service, and have an all-round 24/7 online & offline service system for pre-sale, in-sale, after-sales service and support. You can buy custom CNC routers with free designs from us. Compared with the local services near you, you can also get door-to-door service from STYLECNC.

Troubleshooting

In the use of a CNC router machine, you may be troubled with a variety of problems. How to determine why the machine does not work as expected? Let's list different problems and explain how to resolve them.

Alarm Failure

Over-travel alarm indicates that the machine has reached the limit position during operation. Please check according to the following steps:

1. Whether the designed graphic size exceeds the processing range.

2. Check whether the connecting wire between the motor shaft and the lead screw is loose, if so, please tighten the screws.

3. Whether the machine and the computer are properly grounded.

4. Whether the current coordinate value exceeds the value range of the software limit.

Overtravel Alarm Released

When overtravel, all motion axes are automatically set in jog state, as long as you keep pressing the manual direction key, when the machine leaves the limit position (that is, out of the overtravel point switch), the connected motion state will be restored at any time.

Pay attention to the movement when moving the workbench The direction must be far away from the limit position. The soft limit alarm needs to be cleared to X, Y, Z in the coordinate setting.

Non-Alarm Failure

1. Insufficient repetitive processing accuracy, please check according to the second item of the first unit.

2. The computer is running and the machine is not moving. Check whether the connection between the computer control card and the electrical box is loose. If so, insert it tightly and tighten the fixing screws.

3. When the machine cannot find the signal when returning to the origin, check according to the second unit. The proximity switch at the origin is out of order.

Output Error

1. No output, please check whether the computer and the control box are well connected.

2. Check whether the space in the settings of the routing manager is full, and delete the unused files in the manager.

3. Whether the signal line wiring is loose, carefully check whether the lines are connected.

Routing Failure

1. Whether the screws of each part are loose.

2. Check whether the path processed by yourself is correct.

3. Is the file too large?

4. Increase or decrease the spindle speed to adapt to different materials (usually 8000 to 24000).

5. Loosen the tool chuck, turn the tool in one direction and clamp it, and put the bit upright, so as to avoid the routing object is not smooth.

6. Check whether the tool is damaged, replace it with a new one, and restart work.

Care & Maintenance

The principle and structure of computer controlled router machines are similar. Through more than ten years of manufacturing, sales and after-sales of CNC machining, STYLECNC has summarized some experiences and hopes that those users who own computerized router kits can do correct daily care and maintenance.

Spindle - Core Parts

1. Provide reliable lubrication adjustment.

For the spindle with oil-air lubrication, reliable and stable lubrication conditions should be provided. The lubricating oil injected into the oil-air lubricator needs to be filtered to avoid mixing of impurities and mixing of oil types. Regularly observe the amount of oil and add oil to avoid oil cut, and clean the filter element and filter screen regularly.

2. Provide reliable cooling conditions.

The cooling methods of high-speed spindles include water cooling and air cooling. Water cooled spindles need to regularly check the use of coolant and supply them in time. Air cooled spindles need regular maintenance of the spindle air cooling system to avoid malfunctions.

3. Follow the manual instructions to standardize the operation.

The operator should have a basic understanding of the selected spindle and accessories, including the spindle's rated power, speed and other requirements, so that it does not exceed the rated power operation. Overload operation may cause damage to the spindle, resulting in higher maintenance costs. Therefore, before using the spindle, be sure to read the manual carefully and perform standard operations.

CNC Controller Box

According to the dust in the working environment, clean the dust in the controller box regularly and timely.

Note: The power must be cut off, and the operation can only be carried out after the inverter has no display and the main circuit power indicator light is off.

The inside of the computer should be cleaned. Excessive dust in the electrical box may cause the wire joints to ignite and cause a fire. Excessive dust in the computer will cause the computer to malfunction and signal errors will cause the machine to be misaligned.

Transmission Parts

The transmission parts include the guide rail rack and ball screw. Whether it is a rack machine or a screw machine, after using the machine every day, be sure to clean up the dust from all parts of the machine. The machine with automatic pump oil lubrication will automatically oil, check the guide is there any oil in the rack and screw part? It takes 3-5 days to manually pump oil once installed with a manual oil pump. For manual oiling machines, it is necessary to manually lubricate the guide rail rack and screw rod every 3-5 days.

Note:

The guide rail and rack must be maintained with engine oil. The screw part should be greased with high speed. If the working environment temperature is too low in winter, the rods and polished rods (square rails or circular rails) should be washed and cleaned with gasoline first, and then oil is added, otherwise it will cause excessive resistance in the transmission part of the machine and cause the machine to dislocate.

Motor Drive

At present, the drive motors of CNC machines are divided into stepping motors, hybrid servo motors, and pure servo motors. If abnormal noise is found in the machine during daily work, it must be shut down in time. Run the machine manually to find the source of the noise, and then contact the maintenance personnel or the manufacturer to repair or replace the motor in time.