Best CNC for Small Shop: 5 Machines From Desktop to Full Sheet
Watching on TV? See all tool links from this video
I went to two of the biggest woodworking shows in the country to find the best CNC for small shop owners. I talked with five makers, from the desktop Nomad 3 to the Shapeoko 5 Pro, Altmill, Next Wave CNC Shark HD510, and OneFinity. Here is which one fits your space.
The Short Answer
- Best CNC for small shop use for most people: the Shapeoko 5 Pro. I own the 2x4 and it has been absolutely amazing.
- No shop at all: the Nomad 3 fits on a desk and comes out of the box assembled.
- Full 4x8 sheets on a budget: the Altmill 4x8 starts at $7,490.
- Most hobby CNCs here run about $1,500 to $7,000. Shop Sabre production machines start around $35,000.
What Is the Best CNC for a Small Shop?
Best for Most Garage Shops: Shapeoko 5 Pro
For most garage shops like mine, the Shapeoko 5 Pro is my pick. I have owned the 2x4 for several years and built a ton of stuff with it. I think of it as an extra employee.
It comes in 2x2, 2x4, and 4x4 sizes, and all of them index. That means you can pass sheet goods all the way through and cut in sections. Carbide 3D says the 4x4 is the most popular size by far.
The newest version has a beefier base frame, which adds a leg kit and a monitor mounting bracket. The rails are just under 2 inches thick, and I have jumped on this machine before. It is rock solid. There is also front workholding, so you can clamp a board vertically for joinery.
Carbide 3D also makes a vacuum table in 2x2 and 2x1 plates. One pump runs two plates. Their tip is to surface a sheet of MDF so air pulls through it, then seal the edges with a foam strip. For cutting boards all day, you just drop the blank on and turn on the pump.
See the Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC from Carbide 3D Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Desktop CNC for Zero Space: Nomad 3
If all you have is a desk in an apartment or studio, the Nomad 3 is the one. It pops out of the box assembled. You plug it into your computer and you are ready to start making.
It is a very accurate machine, and it is not just for wood. It cuts aluminum too, you just cut a little slower. It comes in bamboo, white, gray, and black finishes.
See the Nomad 3 Desktop CNC from Carbide 3D Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Small Shop CNC Comparison
| Machine | Sizes | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad 3 | Desktop | Apartments and studios | Ships assembled, cuts aluminum |
| Shapeoko 5 Pro | 2x2, 2x4, 4x4 | Most garage shops | Indexing for sheet goods |
| Next Wave CNC Shark | 1x1 up to 4x4 | Small shops wanting closed loop | Water cooled spindle on the HD510 |
| OneFinity | 32x32, 32x48, 48x48 | Shops that want to upgrade over time | Full 8 sliding bed add-on |
| Altmill | 2x4, 4x4, 4x8 | Full sheets on a budget | Automatic tool change |
| Shop Sabre | RC, Pro, IS lines | Production shops | Made in the USA, free lifetime support |
Watch All Five CNC Machines in Action
The video shows each machine running on the show floor. You can see the Altmill tool changer and the OneFinity sliding bed move in a way photos cannot show.
Shapeoko vs OneFinity: Which Should You Buy?
This is one of the questions I get most. Both machines fit a garage and both are built to stay rigid. The difference is in how they get there and how you grow with them.
OneFinity uses rails with a 7 mm thick wall and ball screws instead of belts. Belts can wear and miss steps over time, so ball screws keep cuts precise. The Elite Foreman also has closed loop stepper motors. After a power failure, it can go right back to where it left off.
Their big news is the Full 8. It is an add-on for their 4x4 where the bed itself slides as the machine finishes each section. That turns a 4x4 into a full 4x8 capacity machine you could still fit in a two-car garage. It just debuted and is not available yet.
OneFinity is also modular. If you start on a 32x32, they send you a longer rail and you bolt it on to get a 32x48. The new Redline controller runs files from a thumb drive with a 3D preview, so you do not need a laptop. I like that the screen is matte, so it does not catch glare or smudges.
They also offer a rotary and a J-Tech diode laser that switches between 24, 44, and 64 watts. The 1.5 kW Redline spindle was so quiet at 18,000 RPM I could barely hear it.
Best Budget 4x8 CNC With Automatic Tool Change: Altmill
The Altmill 4x8 starts at $7,490, and most 4x8 machines I have seen cost far more. It handles a full sheet and has an automatic tool change spindle. You can run a 6 or 12 tool rack.
The tool changer has sensors that check the holders are in place before it grabs or drops a tool. You can pull the rack off with knobs to pass a big sheet through, and the machine knows it is gone. The touchscreen shows a color-coded timeline of every tool change.
The frame is aluminum extrusion and ships in six boxes. That means you can carry it down basement stairs without a lift gate. The 4x4 runs $3,160 and the 2x4 runs $2,790, and both cut a bit over size so a full sheet fits.
See the Altmill CNC from Sienci
Next Wave CNC Shark HD510 and HD520 for Small Shops
Next Wave makes CNC machines from 1x1 up to 4x4, and they go smaller if space is a problem. The Shark HD510 has a 2x2 cutting area and a water cooled spindle. It is one of their best sellers.
The Shark HD520 is the same build with a 2x4 cutting area. Their new dust boot fits any 80 mm spindle, not just theirs. They also make vacuum pods for workholding.
See the Next Wave CNC Shark HD510 at Acme Tools Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
See the Next Wave CNC Shark HD520 at Acme Tools Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Next Wave CNC 4x4 With Closed Loop Motors
Their new 4x4 has a 50 by 50 inch cutting area, 7 inches of Z travel, and a 3 horsepower spindle. Rapids run up to 800 inches per minute. The closed loop motors stop on a dime if you hit a clamp and keep their position. You finish the file instead of scrapping the wood.
When to Upgrade to a Shop Sabre CNC
Most people watching do not need a $35,000, $45,000, or $85,000 CNC. But Shop Sabre shows where you can go once your business outgrows a hobby machine. Every machine is built in Lakeville, Minnesota.
The RC8 is their entry into real automation, with optional tool change and vacuum. You can nest and cut a whole base cabinet in one run. The Pro line moves from rack and pinion to ball screws and is designed to run all day. The IS line adds faster rapids and a heavier frame.
Support is in-house and free for as long as you own the machine, by phone, email, or remote login. You can also run Vectric software right at the machine.
Is a CNC Worth It for a Small Woodworking Business?
For me it has been. A CNC lets you customize products and make many of the same product, which really helps scale a business. When you are ready for a bigger machine, you can sell your old one and put that money toward the upgrade.
If you want to turn your shop into income, I coach woodworkers on that in Sawdust Startups, my free woodworking business community. And if you are still building out the rest of your shop, my woodworking tool buyer's guide covers what I recommend.
All Tools From This Video
Carbide 3D
- Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC
- Shapeoko HDM V3 CNC
- Shapeoko 4 CNC
- Shapeoko CNC Bit Starter Set
- Nomad 3 Desktop CNC
- Nomad CNC Bits Starter Pack
Acme Tools
- Next Wave CNC Shark HD510
- Next Wave CNC Shark HD520
- Next Wave CNC Shark SD110
- Next Wave CNC Shark SD120
Amazon
Direct From the Maker
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Want deals like these sent to you every day.
Join The Morning Cut. Free daily tool deal email from Matt.
Browse all current tool deals at 731woodworks.com.
See all tool reviews. Every post from the 731 Woodworks blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size CNC do I need for a small shop?
I run a 2x4 Shapeoko 5 Pro in my garage and it handles almost everything I make. Machines that index let you pass sheet goods through and cut them in sections. If you have the room, the 4x4 is the most popular size. If you only have a desk, go desktop.
Can a desktop CNC cut aluminum?
Yes. The Nomad 3 cuts both wood and aluminum. You just need to cut aluminum a little slower than wood. It is a very accurate machine for its size.
How much does a CNC machine cost for a small shop?
The hobby and small shop machines I covered run about $1,500 to $7,000 depending on size and add-ons. The Altmill 4x8 starts at $7,490 for a full sheet machine. Production machines like Shop Sabre start around $35,000.
Is Shapeoko or OneFinity better?
Both are rigid and fit a garage. I own the Shapeoko 5 Pro and think it is one of the best for most garage shops. OneFinity stands out for ball screws, closed loop motors on the Elite Foreman, and modular upgrades. Pick based on how you plan to grow.
Can you fit a 4x8 CNC in a garage?
Yes. The Altmill 4x8 ships in six boxes and can be carried down basement stairs. OneFinity's upcoming Full 8 add-on gives a 4x4 full 4x8 capacity in a footprint that fits a two-car garage.
What is a closed loop CNC?
A closed loop CNC uses motors that constantly report their position to the controller. If you hit a clamp or lose power, the machine keeps or recovers its position. You can finish the file instead of scrapping the workpiece. The Next Wave 4x4 and OneFinity Elite Foreman both use this.
Some links in this post are affiliate links. 731 Woodworks may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I talked with five CNC makers at two of the biggest woodworking shows to find the best CNC for small shops. Here is which one fits your space, from a desk to a full 4x8 sheet.