2021 Best CNC Routers, Affordable CNC Router Machines and CNC Router Tables for Sale

• 2021 Best CNC Routers for Aluminum
• The 22 Most Common CNC Router Problems and Solutions
• A Guide To Buy Your First CNC Router
• 3 Axis vs 4 Axis vs 5 Axis CNC Router Machine
• 2021 Best CNC Routers for Woodworking
• Round Guide Rails VS Square Guide Rails for CNC Routers
• How to Choose a Right CNC Router Machine?
• A Guide to CNC Router Materials
• A Brief Guide to CNC Router Safety from STYLECNC
• A Guide to CNC Router Tools and CNC Router Bits

Are you looking forward to DIY CNC router kit plans or coming up with an idea to buy affordable CNC routers for wood, aluminum, stone, foam, plastic with home use, small business, hobbyists, school education or industrial manufacturing? Check out the 2021 new CNC router machine buying guide for CNC router beginners, operators, machinists, wood fabricators, metal fabricators, foam fabricators, stone fabricators, woodworkers, metalworkers, and stoneworkers, we'll offer you 2021 best computer numerical controlled router machines with custom CNC routing service to fit your CNC projects, files, ideas, and plans.

What Is A CNC Router?

A CNC router is a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tool for automatic routing, cutting, carving, engraving, drilling, grooving, milling, sanding, polishing of soft wood, solid wood, hard wood, plywood, MDF, stone, foam, ceramic, plastic, acrylic, glass, PVC, PCB, ACM, brass, aluminum, copper and other soft metals. A CNC router machine is composed of CNC controller, CNC software, CNC operating system, frame, spindles, gantry, motor, driver, guide rail, ball screw, power supply, T-slot table or vacuum table, vacuum pump, collet, limit switch, rack and pinion. A CNC router is also known as computer numerical controlled router, computer-controlled router, C and C router, CNC router machine, CNC router kit, CNC router table, CNC routing machine, CNC carver, CNC cutter, CNC engraver, digital router, CNC carving machine, CNC cutting machine, CNC engraving machine. CNC router machines are widely used in industrial manufacturing, small business, small shop, home business, home shop, school education and hobbyists.

How Many Types of CNC Router?

CNC router table sizes mainly include 2x2, 2x3, 2x4, 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, 5x10 and 6x12 in feet, someone may call the table sizes as 16x16, 16x24, 24x24, 24x36, 24x48, 48x48, 48x96, 60x120, 80x120, and 80x160 in inches, someone may call the table sizes as 4040, 6040, 6060, 6090, 1212, 1218, 1224, 1325, 1530, 2030 and 2040 in millimeter (mm). 

Types: hobby CNC series (mini series, small series, portable series, desktop series, benchtop series, tabletop series), industrial CNC series (CNC wood router, CNC metal router, CNC stone router, CNC foam router, CNC plastic router, CNC aluminum router, CNC glass router), and axis series (3 axis, 4th axis, 4 axis, 5 axis).

How Does A CNC Router Work?

A computer numerical controlled router machine needs at least 3 axis to complete the routing works, called X, Y and Z. 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. The spindle holds the tool, moves along X, Y and Z axis, following the tool path generated by the CNC software. In a 3 axis router machine, the tool is always vertical, and undercuts are not possible. In addition, a router machines can be equipped with a rotary axis (4th axis) around the X, Y and Z axis, which is called as CNC router lathe machine. It is mainly used for cylinder carving and cutting projects and some 3D CNC machining 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 with 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 of the machine is determined by a computer. The computer will tell the motors how much to move in each direction. Any location within the machine’s work area can be defined by using the method of positioning. The machine can be moved within that space. The machine is connected to a computer, the computer will tell it where to move. First, the CNC operator should do the toolpath creation, the operator uses a CNC router software program to draw the shapes and create the tool path that the machine will follow. So, when you have some CNC routing plans, what kind of table sizes should be chosen? which all depends on your requirements and budgets.

What Is A CNC Router Used For?

A CNC router machine is commonly 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.

What Materials Can Be Cut with CNC Routers?

Computer numberical controlled router machine is a fully automatic machine kit for routing in a variety of metal and non-metal materials:

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, 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, g10, leather, wood veneers, mother-of-pearl, delrin, rubber, modeling clay.

How Much Does A CNC Router Cost?

Different machine configurations and specifications have different costs, including machine frame, X, Y table (T-slot and vacuum), spindle, gantry, ball screw, guide rails, vacuum pump, driver, motor, CNC controller, operating system, collet, rotary 4th axis, limit switch, power supply, rack and pinion. Machines from different brands have different service and support, which will lead to different prices. Machines from different countries have different tax rates, different customs, different shipping costs. All of these factors will result in the final price. You will get a CNC router price range of $2,580.00 to $150,000.00 from STYLECNC. If you want to buy a machine overseas, and get the final price, please contact us to get a free quotation, we'll calculate the final price of your required machine.

Technical Parameters

How To Choose A CNC Router Machine?

1. Motor drive, the router machines equipped with low power motors are only suitable for routing double-color plates, building models, small signs, three-dimensional crafts and other materials. This process has been popular for some time, but the power is too low, which greatly affects its application range. The machines equipped with high power motors are divided into two types: one type is a large format table, the format is generally more than one meter, but the accuracy of this type is generally poor. The other type is a medium format table, this type is generally used for fine machining and organic sign making.

2. Spindle motor, the spindle motor is also very important, because it is generally not covered by the warranty, and it needs to continuously work for a long time, so if the spindle motor has problems, which will affect the use of the machine.

3. Furthermore, it is the speed adjustable range of the spindle motor. The general speed adjustable range is thousands to 30,000 revolutions per minute. If the speed is not adjustable or the speed adjustable range is small, then the application range of the machine is limited, because different materials must be carved at different speeds.

4. Machine body 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

How To Operate A CNC Router Machine?

Step 1, Turn On to Start.

1. Turn on the power of the control computer and monitor, and start the CNC routing 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:

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

b. Start the spindle.

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

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

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

f. 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 of the routing machine 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 router chuck, unscrew the chuck nut and replace the router chuck to remove foreign objects in the router 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 router 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:

a. The router bit is firmly clamped.

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

c. Workpieces are clamped firmly.

d. The NC program is loaded correctly.

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

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 CNC machine kit.

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

How To Use CNC Router Tools?

If CNC tools are installed correctly, the results will be more accurate, and the cutter is not easy to break during use. How to quickly and correctly set up bits for a C and C router machine? Please follow the five steps:

Step 1. There are many gaps in the chuck. Before installing the router bits, you need to clean the chuck with gasoline or cleaning agent, check and remove the residue in the router chuck gap.

Step 2. The cooperation between the chuck and the shaft is in contact with the tapered hole at the shaft end. If the contact is not good, the tool is not easy to install, and it is necessary to ensure that the tapered surface has good contact. The shaft cone surface must be scrubbed with gasoline or cleaning agent before loading the cutter.

Step 3. Put the router chuck into the pressure cap and gently turn the clamp spring. When the eccentric part of the pressure cap is recessed into the router chuck groove, push the router chuck evenly in the direction of the arrow to install it in the pressure cap.

Step 4. the router chuck is installed on the machine spindle together with the pressure cap. After cleaning the cylindrical shank of the cutter, install it in the holding hole. After confirming that the router chuck and the tool are aligned, screw the pressure cap into place by hand. Then use a wrench to tighten the pressure cap evenly until the tool is clamped.

Step 5. When loosening the cutter, use a wrench to tighten the cap in the opposite direction. If you need to change the router chuck, loosen the cap to bring out the router chuck and bit, remove the bit, and push the chuck in the direction of the arrow to push it out, and then as needed just replace the router chuck with another aperture.