Image: Sainsmart
Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018-PRO
Sainsmart
Best for: Learners on a tight budget who want to build a CNC themselves and do small engraving, PCB and soft material work
Typical starting price
$169Maker's price, checked Oct 13
Overall score
Best current buying path
Where to buy
SainSmart: $169 · checked Oct 23
- Shipping varies by retailer
- Check manufacturer site for availability
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Quick verdict
The 3018-PRO is a 300 x 180 x 45mm kit with an aluminum base, phenolic side plates, round guides and lead screws. It ships with a 775 brushed DC spindle rated at 60W and 10000 RPM, an 8-bit GRBL controller and an offline pendant. The kit needs assembly and has no factory limit switches or emergency stop. Its small spindle and plastic carriage suit learning, engraving and light cuts in wood, plastics and PCB material. Optional spindle, carriage and laser accessories are available, but they add cost and do not turn the base machine into a production router.
Who this fits best
Learners on a tight budget who want to build a CNC themselves and do small engraving, PCB and soft material work
Buy this if
Learners on a tight budget who want to build a CNC themselves and do small engraving, PCB and soft material work. $149 gets a complete GRBL machine with an offline controller in the box.
Skip this if
Full kit assembly is required; allow time for alignment and controller setup, and stock 775 motor is rated 60W (120W peak), fine for engraving but weak for real cutting.
What else you still need
Proper flat end mills beyond the supplied V-bits, suitable workholding and a sacrificial board. Consider compatible limit switches and an emergency stop. SainSmart offers a 20000 RPM GS-775 spindle and a metal Z carriage for larger spindle upgrades; check each accessory's mounting and power requirements.
Material reality check
Good for engraving wood, acrylic, PVC, foam and PCB isolation milling. Hardwood needs slow, shallow passes. Aluminum is limited to engraving and very light surface work with the stock 60W motor.
Better alternative if...
pay roughly $90 more for the pre-assembled 3018 PROVer V2 if you want limit switches, an E-stop and a 30 minute setup instead of a kit build. See Genmitsu 3018 PROVer V2
Where it wins
- $149 gets a complete GRBL machine with an offline controller in the box
- Huge user base, so guides, mods and troubleshooting threads are everywhere
- Accepts the Y-axis extension, laser module and an all-metal Z carriage for a 300W spindle
- Power supply already supports the 20000 RPM GS-775 drop-in spindle
- Simple open GRBL electronics that are easy to understand and repair
Where it falls short
- Full kit assembly is required; allow time for alignment and controller setup
- Stock 775 motor is rated 60W (120W peak), fine for engraving but weak for real cutting
- No limit switches, no homing and no E-stop from the factory
- Round-rod guidance and a plastic carriage call for light cutting loads
- 45mm of Z travel limits stock thickness and bit length
Specifications
300 × 180 mm
540 cm²
60W
775 brushed DC motor, 24V, ER11 collet (1/8in included)
8-bit Arduino-based GRBL board with DRV8825 drivers, offline handheld controller included
7.1 kg
$169
DIY kit
Full specification table
Relative to database
Benchmark Scores
Overall Score
Composite across 5 dimensions
Community Sentiment
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