5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great machine. Prepare for an education.

M.R. · March 21, 2021

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Cutting to the chase, this machine is great. It's built like a tank, assembly instructions were fine, and there are a ton of resourced available online. I got my machine on Sunday, and on the following Saturday was able to cut the piece in my attached picture with no issues.In fact, the only issues that any of my cuts have had were of my own making. The machine works very well. That said, prepare to do some learning, some troubleshooting, and some problem solving. This is my first CNC, but I have extensive experience with 3D printers, and they're the same way. This machine isn't there to hold your hand while carving out intricate masterpieces. It's a tool that you need to learn to use.Another reviewer said something like "8 hours of failure was too much." (I had the same problem that he did. It was solved by changing the "Safe Retracts" setting in Fusion360.) If 8 hours of failure is too much for you, then this isn't the machine you want. To make this (or really any CNC machine) "work", you will need some basic understanding of G Code, 3D modelling, woodworking, and electronics. You don't need to be a master at any of this stuff, but you're going to touch all of it. It will take time. You will screw things up. You will get sawdust in your hair. That's what makes these things fun.Now, more specific to this machine itself, I was very, very impressed. There are many very similar units on Bolo, and I selected this one because of the included upgrades, and the known brand name. I found the machine to be extremely well built, and straightforward to assemble. The inclusion of limit switches is important. While limit switches can be a bit frustrating, they are there to make sure you don't accidentally send the machine a command that will damage it, and the work perfectly for that. I find the offline controller to be wonderful. There seems to be a lot of hate for this part, but I like that I can run he machine "headless" and not have to leave a laptop in my dust shop. I actually had a much smoother experience using the offline controller than I did using the PC-based Candle, but they both do the same job. My motor doesn't wobble, isn't loud, and hasn't had any issue cutting through various woods at 300mm/min. I did several calibration tests on the machine as soon as I got it built, and didn't have to adjust anything.The only bad things about the machine are the hold-down clamps that are included (they work, but are the definition of "fiddly"), the included Vee bits (again, they work as they should, but why give me a bunch of Vee bits and no end mill?) and the size of the workspace. The 3018 is actually a great size for a small workspace like mine, where it will need to be moved and worked around, but just like everyone else, I'd love to be able to make bigger stuff.I've probably said enough glowing stuff about this device, but I'll sum it up, here. When I spend ~$350 on a piece of Chinese technology that's based on open source designs, I expect to get a pretty low-end product that I can usually upgrade to make it useful. In this case, I got a solid, well-deigned, functioning piece of gear. I haven't been this amazed at how well a cheap gadget works since the Elegoo Mars Pro.If you're looking for a cool tool with a steep, but fun learning curve, look no further. If you want to easily and quickly cut wood (or metal) parts with the push of a button, maybe wait a few years.Software That I Used:-Candle (included) for machine control-Easel (very limited free use) for design and GCode Creation-F Engrave (free) for GCode creation-Carbide Create (free) for design and GCode Creation-Fusion360* (free) for design and GCode creation-Inkscape (free) for image design*Fusion360 is the real workhorse, here. It has by far the most features, but also the steepest learning curve. If you're familiar with Fusion360, you'll have no trouble. Otherwise start with Carbide Create.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginner Machine

E.M. · November 2, 2022

I've been looking at CNC for some time and could never bring myself to spend the $ to jump in. I do a lot of woodworking and a need finally arose. After reading the mixed reviews, I was very nervous about this machine and even gave thought to canceling, I am glad I did not.I agree with all the other reviews regarding the build, it takes quite a while. You should have no issues if you take your time reading the manual paired with the video. I took my time and it took me about 2 hours.For the first interactions, I simply used the included designs to test and they seemed to work fine. I will say that Candle has a very steep learning curve and I looked for other solutions. Easel worked out great and it has a 30-day free license. The real trick is learning feed rates, plunge rates, pass depth, etc., which comes with testing. A good rule of thumb for pass depth is to divide the width of your cutting bit in half and use that number. If your bit cut's 1/8", set your depth pass to 1/16". Luckily, I have not broken any bits (I bought more aside from the provided ones). I do recommend buying carbide bits, they hold up very well and if used properly they will last. The more you work with it, the more you feel comfortable finding your settings.Also, do your research on the different types of bits and how they are used. Upcut, Downcut, Combination, Ballnose, V-bit, flat end, etc. Using the bits straight out of the box will leave you disappointed if you want to get something carved in a decent amount of time. Use the finer point bits for detailing and buy a larger bit for cleanout. You will thank yourself!!!The only thing I don't like about this machine is the small cutting surface, I kind of knew this coming in but did not think about adjusting size because you need to allow for the hold-down clamps. I will probably buy the Y-axis extension kit to gain a little more surface. Also, the clamps while effective are a pain in the you-know-what to use, so I also purchased the quick clamps for easier clamping & unclamping.Extras to consider purchasing: Quick clamp hold-downs, Y-axis extension kit, upgraded spindle (20k rpm), dust shoe, carbide bits, and some kind of work light if you don't have one.After this experience, I would definitely buy another Sainsmart CNC, only bigger!Overall this is a great machine for a beginner to learn on, and if you are only doing smaller jobs, it is more than sufficient.

Excellent Customer Service

J.K.L. · August 5, 2022

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I had this product for a year. I used a lot in the beginning and then put it off as I was busy with other projects. After a while, I came back and worked on this machine and something was not working. I contacted the customer service. After a day, Hong from Sainsmart, provides me a list of diagnosis methods. I tried all of them, did not work and sent him the screenshot. The next day, Hong informed me that he was sending me another control board for free as it was covered in the warranty. He also followed up with me when my new control board came and checked if everything is alright. Excellent customer service.Also, the machine is super easy to assemble and the limit switch on the x,y, and z axis make it very safe. The spindle is pretty powerful and can do some damage and it can also cut some thin aluminum. (You need to go very slow).The one thing that this machine can improve on is the instruction on the programming side. As a beginner, I spent a lot of time and installed several programs (including freeCad) to start to cut my piece.At the end, I found the easiest way is to create a simple text file and type the G-Code myself. If there is simple instructions/examples on G-Code like G0, G1 and G2, it will make a big difference to get a beginner started. As beginner, I just want to cut a straight line to test it out, but I found that it was a lot of learning and time using freeCAD other CAD program to do such a simple thing.

Buena CNC

D. · May 30, 2025

Perfecto todo

Brilliant little machine and Superb support

H. · April 5, 2021

I bought the SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer after lots of research, because it had a number of safety features (end stops, emergency stop), the off line controller and Sain(t)Smart was proud of their support. Spending this sort of money, you don't want it standing on the shelf because something isn't quite right...I bought also the enclosure Genmitsu Acrylic CNC Enclosure - Enhanced Protection, Dustproof, Noise Reduction, the laser unit (not yet tried) and a few bits.Putting it together was quite straight forward with the help of the manual. There are also quite a few videos on the web explaining the process.The tricky bit is to work with it, as little errors will upset the process. The worst so far is that I broke a bit as the speed of the spindle wasn't quite right. The machine is not intelligent, so if you give the wrong instructions, it will do the wrong actions...Support of SainSmart is brilliant, quick, helpful and patient. There is also a user group - although it is on Facebook :-( - and loads of good material available on the web.I've 'designed' my first item (a box) on fusion 360 and now up to a more sophisticated model...

Fantastische machine en eenvoudig in elkaar te zetten en eenvoudig in gebruik.

M. · May 29, 2025

Ik ben zeer tevreden met de 3018-PROVer V2. Het product was goed verpakt en de handleiding is gemakkelijk te begrijpen.De meegeleverde software is eenvoudig te installeren en gemakkelijk in het gebruik.

Fast shipping and great support

T.M. · July 24, 2020

The media could not be loaded. Il pacco è arrivato con qualche giorno di anticipo, che mi ha lasciato molto contento.Il prodotto è ben impacchettato, tutto è tenuto ben fermo da spessi strati di polistirolo. Unico difetto, nella mia scatola dei bulloni ne mancavano 2 M6, ho contattato il supporto SainSmart che me li ha recapitati in meno di 4 giorni.Il montaggio è semplificato rispetto ad altri prodotti ma richiede comunque un certo tempo, io ci ho messo circa 1 ora e mezza a completare tutto, e non ho messo il proteggi cavo in nylon perché mi riusciva male. Sono comunque molto soddisfatto perché le risorse fornite (sul sito sono presenti anche video tutorial) aiutano moltissimo e non c'è nulla da fare di veramente complicato.Una volta montata la CNC si presenta esteticamente molto bene, solida e con un colore azzurro che mi piace molto.Io la vorrei utilizzare principlamente per produrre circuiti stampati di progetti DIY, le prime prove mi hanno dato molta soddisfazione anche se ho ancora molto da imparare!Nel complesso la consiglio a chi ha tempo e voglia di imparare e studiare le varie tecniche/tecnologie per la fresatura con la CNC, lo sconsiglio a chi invece preferisce avere una soluzione "plug&play" che faccia subito tutto bene senza bisogno di metterci le mani.Allego qualche foto, scusate per la mia scrivania super disordinata :)==== Automactic tranlsation in English ====The package arrived a few days in advance, which left me very happy.The product is well packed, everything is held firmly by thick layers of foam. One defect, in my bolt box there were 2 M6 missing, I contacted SainSmart support which delivered them to me in less than 4 days.The assembly is simplified compared to other products but still requires some time, it took me about 1 and a half hours to complete everything, and I did not put the nylon cable protector because it was bad for me. I am however very satisfied because the resources provided (there are also video tutorials on the site) help a lot and there is nothing really complicated to do.Once mounted, the CNC looks aesthetically very well, solid and with a blue color that I really like.I would like to use it mainly to produce printed circuit boards for DIY projects, the first tests have given me a lot of satisfaction even though I still have a lot to learn!Overall, I recommend it to those who have the time and desire to learn and study the various techniques / technologies for CNC milling, I do not recommend it to those who prefer to have a "plug & play" solution that does everything right away without having to get their hands on it.I attach some photos, sorry for my super messy desk :)