Next Wave Shark HD520 CNC Router
premium

Next Wave Shark HD520 CNC Router

Next Wave Automation

Best for: Dedicated woodworkers who want the largest turnkey Shark CNC for furniture-scale projects with zero setup hassle

Typical starting price

$3,000

Editorial baseline for this machine

Overall score

72

Buyer-fit score

out of 100

Scoring method

Best current buying path

Where to buy

Bundle from $3,000 · checked Apr 12

Bundle option
Primary pick Bundle Bundle option from $3,000 checked Apr 12 Best for bundle details and official add-ons
  • Shipping varies by retailer
  • Check manufacturer site for availability

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost.

Quick verdict

The Next Wave Shark HD520 is the largest model in the Shark HD lineup, stretching the Y-axis to 1600mm for furniture-scale projects. It maintains the turnkey philosophy with an included router and VCarve Desktop software. The steel frame and precision-ground rails hold up well at this size, though the 710W Makita trim router can feel underpowered when attempting aggressive cuts across the full work area. At $3000, it is a significant investment, and advanced users may find the proprietary controller limiting. But for woodworkers who prioritize simplicity and US-based support over maximum flexibility, the HD520 delivers a complete large-format CNC experience.

Who this fits best

Dedicated woodworkers who want the largest turnkey Shark CNC for furniture-scale projects with zero setup hassle

Where it wins

  • Large 711x1600mm work area handles big woodworking projects
  • VCarve Desktop and router included -- truly turnkey
  • Steel frame maintains good rigidity even at this size
  • US-based company with phone support
  • Precision-ground rails for smooth, accurate motion

Where it falls short

  • At $3000, the proprietary controller is a significant limitation
  • Large footprint requires dedicated shop space
  • Heavy at 52kg -- needs a sturdy work surface
  • Smaller user community than competing platforms
  • 710W trim router may be underpowered for aggressive cuts at this machine size

Specifications

Work Area

711 × 1600 mm

11376 cm²

Spindle

710W

Makita RT0701C Trim Router (included)

Controller

Weight

52 kg

Price

$3,000

premium

Full specification table
Work Area 711 × 1600 × 89 mm
Spindle Makita RT0701C Trim Router (included)
Power 710 W
Speed 10000-30000 RPM
Weight 52 kg
Frame Steel and aluminum with precision-ground rails
Controller Next Wave controller (USB)
Software VCarve Desktop (included), Fusion 360, Aspire

Relative to database

Spindle power
710W
Work area
114 cm²
Weight
52 kg
Price
$3,000

Benchmark Scores

72 /100

Overall Score

Composite across 5 dimensions

≥80 excellent ≥60 good ≥40 fair
Value for money
50 /100
Rigidity
62 /100
Precision
64 /100
Ease of use
88 /100
Capability
62 /100

Compare with

Bundle from $3,000

Next Wave Shark HD520 CNC Router

Related Guides