The Shaper Origin is a unique CNC device that breaks down the walls that CNC is usually bound to. Being totally mobile, you just need to place it on the material to be cut to get started. Instead of using stepper motors like a typical CNC device, you will be manually pushing the device around while the Shaper Origin is at work. Don’t worry, the device will error-correct when you aren’t guiding it perfectly straight.

It will first need to map the work area using built-in cameras before beginning a job, so it can recognize exactly where it is located on the material to be cut. This will help ensure that you’re only cutting the areas that were meant to be cut. If you start to go off track, the tool quickly retracts. You can also view the material from the built-in camera to see where you are cutting.

There are preloaded shapes you can select and define the dimensions of right on the device, or you can upload your own design. This device will even calculate your pass depth based on the bit diameter installed. While this all sounds great, you’ll have to consider if your needs justify the price tag that comes along with the Shaper Origin.

If the Shaper is something that you’re interested in, then check out a section on their website that offers free DIY projects. With these, you can either upgrade your Origin or find a new technique for cutting the perfect corner.

As of December 2022, they have a new purchasable extension called AutoPass, which allows the Shaper Origin to be faster and more streamlined by automatically increasing the layer depth without needing anything from you besides following the guided image on the screen.

• Features: Precise joinery, unmatched portability, upload design from anywhere, autocorrects movement for better results, on-tool designs
• Limitations: The length of your reach
• Price: ~$3,800
• Accessories: Workstation, plate, Autopass

Shaper Origin

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The OpenBuilds MiniMill is a compact, precise 3D carving and engraving machine that’s able to carve with high precision and detail for intricate engravings. Its size makes it a nice addition to any workshop, as you can quickly grab it and take it with you.

This CNC router boasts an accuracy that can get down to 0.05 mm of detail. On top of that, it’s supported by a strong but lightweight C-beam structure. It’s also worth mentioning that it can be easily repaired or modified, given that all the technical documentation and software is open source.

This CNC router does have some limitations when it comes to the size of the piece you’re able to work with. The working area for the MiniMill is 120 x 180 x 80 mm (4.5 x 7 x 3 inches) with a 2-inch clearance for materials.

There are a few variables when it comes to purchasing the MiniMill, like the add-on of a 24-V power supply. Other optional accessories can assist you in keeping the area clean, like a dust shoe. Or, if you need a little more power with this CNC, you can opt to upgrade the stepper motors from NEMA 17 to NEMA 23 to give it that extra boost.

The last accessory making this MiniMill a truly cutting-edge piece of technology is the Black Box Motion Controller. With this addition, the machine can support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, and web access for instant updates on a job currently in progress.

• Features: 2-inch material clearance, strong C-beam structure, lead screw actuators, accurate up to 0.05 mm
• Limitations: Smaller work area than others on the list (120 x 180 x 80 mm)
• Price: ~$940
• Accessories: Black Box Motion Control, dust shoe, RoutER11, NEMA 23 steppers

OpenBuilds MiniMill

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Ah yes, the Goliath is a rather new take on CNC routing. This CNC router has the unique ability to be set free, and it will roam around until it’s done milling a design with repeatability of up to 0.1 mm. That impressive detail is thanks to the multi-directional wheels that allow the Goliath to work without guide rails.

Get started on a project by first following the autonomous calibration so that the Goliath can define the workspace. In order to know where it is on the material to be cut, Goliath will need to be connected to position sensors (that have a range of 3.5 meters) at all times (in addition to the power cord). These two sensors will need to be secured on the ground or work surface with screws. All of the sensors use a Wi-Fi mesh to communicate with the Goliath CNC and you will also use the 2.4 GHz network to send your commands to the unit.

With an effective working area of about 3 x 2 meters (and a minimum of 0.8 x 0.8 meters), the Goliath can cover the size of your project with ease. To make things better, it has a built-in dust catcher to remove debris from the its path, which also makes cleanup much easier.

The Goliath has a Z-axis range of 58 mm with a passing depth of 3 mm for woods like MDF and birch plywood, and 4 mm for woods like poplar plywood. For inspiration and more details about specific materials, you can visit their projects page.

The Goliath is able to handle up to 8-mm router bits with a power consumption of up to 1.2 kW and has an option for 120-V or 230-V variants. Plus, the accessories include anything from spindle brushes and spindle protection to things like a power cord stand.

• Features: Run large projects anywhere (no limit to the work area), 0.1 mm accuracy, built-in dust collector, autonomous calibration, Z-axis of 50.8 mm
• Limitations: Requires flat surfaces and can’t be used on walls; large and weighs 33 pounds
• Price: ~$4,000
• Accessories: Spindle brushes, power cord stand, spindle protection, positioning sensor system
• Where to get it: Goliath

When we talk about different types of CNC machines on this list, you may find yourself questioning what you’re looking at. The MakerMade Maslow CNC, to us, is about as straightforward as it seems. It’s just a CNC router suspended by chains that pull the machine around a material that sits vertically on a large frame.

It’s able to manage a working area of about 1.2 x 2.4 meters. With a nice large size for the working area, the setup is only around $600, which makes it quite a bit cheaper than the others on this list. Part of the reason the cost is so low is that this product is open source, so anyone can access it and you can technically make it yourself if you want to.

The best part about an open-source project is that it also comes with a community that’s very passionate about it. This translates into plenty of resources that make it easy to learn and share modifications that may also fit different needs.

This device does have an Achilles heel, though. You’ll need to be able to pick up your material and set it on a frame in order for it to work properly. That said, this limitation might have already been addressed with a solution by the community and you just might have to search through some forums online.

• Features: 1.2 x 2.4-m working area, can be DIY because it’s open source, accurate cutting at scale, strong community support, free project files from the community
• Limitations: Requires the material to be mounted
• Price: ~$600
• Accessories: No official ones because it’s an open-source project (but this means it’s easier to create or print your own)

MakerMade Maslow CNC

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If you’ve ever gone to a big bank, you might have noticed that the marble tiles have nice quotes and information about the history of the bank engraved on them. These designs can be accomplished with the Concrete Engraving Machine Pro by Red Art Technologies. This CNC machine seems to be a one-stop shop by Red Art Technologies, where they plan to make this one purchase the only one you’ll need.

To make our point more clear, it comes with its own laptop and software, concrete engraving bits, military-grade traveling case, CNC remote, engraving router, rail extensions, and even full guides and lessons to make sure you feel confident with what you’re working with.

It’s also pre-licensed for commercial use with resources for marketing supplies and strategies, giving you an idea of how to sell your time. This can seem a little intense for most people, so make sure you understand what you’re getting when you choose this machine.

A cage XY gantry is used to give stability when working with a large device as this. In terms of materials, if you stick to concrete, marble, wood, among others, you should be okay, but be warned, some materials are too brittle to be effectively carved or engraved. But don’t let this stop you from getting creative with the different materials you can use. The website mentions how they even do stone signage and engrave directly onto boulders!

We doubt you’d be buying this for small projects, but you can nevertheless get crisp detail on the small lettering with this portable, yet heavy-duty device.

• Features: Large area format, licensing for commercial use with resources for marketing supplies, video guides
• Limitations: Mainly to be used on walkable surfaces
• Price: ~$25,000
• Accessories: Laptop and software, concrete engraving bits, military-grade case, CNC remote, rail extensions
• Where to get it: Red Art Technologies