Image: Gweike
Gweike C1
Gweike
Best for: Makers and small shops who want an enclosed metal-capable desktop CNC with a tool changer and are willing to buy early
Typical starting price
$3,199Editorial baseline for this machine
Overall score
Best current buying path
Where to buy
Pre-order from $3,199 · checked Oct 1
- Shipping varies by retailer
- Check manufacturer site for availability
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Quick verdict
The C1 is Gweike's first desktop CNC, and on paper it goes straight at the Carvera: fully enclosed, an automatic tool changer, a camera for setup and a laser that maps the surface before cutting. Where it differs is muscle. Gweike quotes a 1500W spindle and a roughly 95kg bed, against the Carvera's 200W and 50kg, which is what you want for steel and stainless. The catch is that it has not shipped. Work area is small at 318 x 212mm with the tool changer, the motors are open-loop, and the spec sheet still contradicts itself on top spindle speed (18,000 vs 24,000 RPM). Super early bird pricing starts at $3,199 for the Basic, against a $5,299 MSRP. The Pro adds the turning module.
Who this fits best
Makers and small shops who want an enclosed metal-capable desktop CNC with a tool changer and are willing to buy early
Buy this if
Makers and small shops who want an enclosed metal-capable desktop CNC with a tool changer and are willing to buy early. 1500W ATC spindle with an 8-tool magazine and automatic tool setting, a rare combination at this price.
Skip this if
Not shipping yet, so every number here is Gweike's own pre-launch spec, and small work area for the price: 318 x 212mm with the tool changer fitted.
What else you still need
The $3,199 early bird price is the Basic. Turning needs the Pro, and the 4th-axis rotary, electric vise, dust extractor and long-board feeder are add-ons. Budget for a compressed-air supply too, since the tool cooling runs on it.
Material reality check
Gweike pitches it at metal first: aluminium, brass, copper and stainless, plus wood, plastics, PCB and carbon fiber. Until owners have cut steel on a production unit, treat the hard-metal claims as unproven.
Better alternative if...
you want an enclosed tool-changer machine that is shipping today and has an owner community behind it. See Makera Carvera
Where it wins
- 1500W ATC spindle with an 8-tool magazine and automatic tool setting, a rare combination at this price
- Around 95kg of aluminium bed, several times the mass of most enclosed desktop machines
- Ball screws and dual linear rails on the motion system
- 16MP camera for workpiece positioning plus a laser sensor that maps warped or curved surfaces
- Optional turning module, 4th axis and electric vise turn it into more than a 3-axis router
Where it falls short
- Not shipping yet, so every number here is Gweike's own pre-launch spec
- Small work area for the price: 318 x 212mm with the tool changer fitted
- Open-loop steppers rather than closed-loop or servo motors
- Tool library is limited to 1-7mm shank diameters and 30-60mm tool lengths
- Gweike is new to CNC routers, so there is no owner community or long-term track record yet
In action
Stills from the manufacturer's launch video.
Specifications
318 × 212 mm
674 cm²
1500W
1500W air-cooled ATC spindle with an 8-slot tool magazine and automatic tool setter
Gweike controller with a 16MP positioning camera and laser surface sensor
95 kg
$3,199
premium
Full specification table
Relative to database
Benchmark Scores
Overall Score
Composite across 5 dimensions
Community Sentiment
No owner reports yet. Gweike opened the C1 waitlist on 30 September 2026 and machines have not shipped, so there is no community feedback to summarise. We will update this once real owners report back.
Community sentiment is aggregated from forums, Reddit, Discord, and manufacturer communities. Individual experiences may vary.