Best CNC under $1000 - 3030 Prover Max Review

Reviewing the Sainsmart Genmitsu 3030 Prover Max CNC machine. Putting it through various tests with wood and metal. Can a small machine really cut steel? Also showing the 4th axis in use.

Link to the Sainsmart 3030 Prover Max

Link to the Sainsmart 4th axis

Low profile vice from FoxAlien

00:00 Introduction
01:09 Closer look and specifications
04:17 Testing in soft and hard wood
05:11 Testing with Aluminium
05:57 Limit switch issue
06:22 Testing with brass
06:34 Testing with Steel
07:24 Trying out the 4th axis
08:39 Offline controller
09:36 Final thoughts

3D printable limit switch cover for the 3030


If you want to help the channel but do not want to become a Patreon, you can contribute directly:

[JamesDeanDesigns]

Link to the Sainsmart 3030 Prover Max

Link to the Sainsmart 4th axis

Low profile vice from FoxAlien

[velcrodreams]

Hey James you make great videos ! Thanks for all that you do and happy New Year !

[PavelPeikov]

WOW. This video is amazing and I am seriously making me consider to upgrade to this from my 3018 prover v2!

[techchatwillie]

Thanks for that great and helpful review and testing of the machine.
I was aware of the fact, that a 300W Spindle with a simple bearing of the spindle shafts has limited capabilities. But I'm impressed that the machine itself is very sturdy an precise. The hint to problems with conductive chips affecting the limit switches is very helpful. Not to imagine you have a long job running on the machine an getting a limit switch alarm that spoils your stock. I won't be cutting steel but now can be sure the CNC manages to cut aluminum with ease.

[rlsimpso]

Thanks for the review. I ordered one last week to upgrade from the original 3020. The cut in steel was impressive.

[Festivejelly]

Wow impressed it was cutting steel. The makita router really is capable! I think with a little bit of DIY fog buster on there it would be fine.

[cpowerdesign]

I bought a 3018 Prover earlier this year. I've made a few things with it. I upgraded to the longer travel, upgraded the spindle, ordered different collets, 3d printed a collet holder that mounts to the machine, ordered the 4th axis and laser module. Now it is collecting dust currently. School got a lot harder and things around the house needed my attention when I wasn't focused on school. Maybe christmas break I can play with it somemore.

[mohammadsaeed]

Hi, i was considering a cnc mainly to engrave blades which im gonna start making this year, so, on utube checking reviews and you won👏! With this one, mostly due to the demo with steel .saving up right now so cupl of months and i'll be in touch for some tips. Great vid, just subscribed.
your

[Ccels]

That 4th axis rotary attachment blew my mind. Didn’t know that was possible lol

[Jerry-Mesa]

Hello James, I enjoyed your video as well as the one you did in the Sainsmart 6050. I’m new to the CNC environment and don’t know enough about the technical terms but wondered what the differences are between this and the Sainsmart 6050 other than work size. Thank you

[wedovhp]

Great video! It would be appreciated if you could do a video putting this CNC machine to a more thorough test cutting metals especially steel. would really like to know what it can do in sustained cuts and where its limits are given whatever make/model of endmills you are using.

[techchatwillie]

Problems with Z-Probe and upgraded spindle:
Hello James after making my first cuts with the 3030 Prover Max CNC I am experiencing the following problem with the Z-Probe that came with the machine.
With the 300W spindle running wit the internal 48VDC everything works fine. When I use a spindle that works with mains (I use the Proxxon UF/E type) voltage the Z-Axis does not move down when performing a tool measurement. It always retracts so it seems that the control is receiving a signal that the probe is touched even it the bit is far away from the plate of the Z-Probe.
After some research I found out that this problem only occurs if the spindle is connected to the mains socket. It does not matter if it's switched on or off. If I unplug the spindle or disconnect the crocodile clamp from the bit the Z-Probe sequence is running as it should.

So I assume the cause is the ground wire connection to the socket that seems to disturb the Z-Probe sensor unit. I think the Makita router also is grounded to the mains socket and if so it's likely the problem also arises to other users too.

Do you or anyone else have experienced this odd behavior of the Z-Probing function? Does anyone have a solution yet?

[SwapPartLLC]

I just finished putting mine together about an hour ago. Haven't used it yet. I just tried homing it, and turned the spindle on. It's late here and I have neighbors, so that's the most I can do for now. I mainly wanted it for PCB prototyping. I might try 3D printing covers for the limit switches. I have a spool of TPU filament that might be good for it.

[techchatwillie]

Just saw, the Makita router does not have a grounded plug, so the router housing is not grounded too. The Z-Probe works fine with the Makita router installed. For my grounded Proxxon spindle I'll try either a mechanical switch or a kind of optocoupler to avoid interferences with the ground connection.

[chrisashdown]

Wow!!! that was impressive, Makes you wonder what 2024 will bring to the market yet along 2025. first class presentation aging well done

[dim]

Thank you for this great video! Comparing to your other video "Budget CNC which cuts metal? FoxAlien Masuter Pro CNC Review", which one would you recommend for brass (it will be my first buy) ? I will definitely put a Makita router on it, so excluding the spindle capability ?

[cooper]

Based on your review, just picked one up! My first CNC. Hope that you make some more videos on setup, some projects etc. Interested in milling some brass leather embossing stamps. Thanks!

[richardtepas]

nice review, i just changed from pro max 3020 v1 to v2 with extension kit. Did have same problem with aluminium chips triggering errors. I disconnected the endstops. Strange that manufacturer did not noticed or addressed this. What bits do you use for metal? a they a-class (expensive) ones? I have to go super slow and shallow with my 300W. No problem, job just takes langer. If i would go 1mm in aluminium i guess i would get the feeling that machines explodes. For me a save depth is 0.2mm. Thanks!

[williamgray]

James great videos thinking about buying the 3030 but would like to see a video of the complete process (design to machine). The conversation of offline controller vs PC is a little confusing. Thanks

[ing.eduardomunizrodriguez]

Great review!! do you think this is better than the 4040? im planning to do some aluminum, or what about this one vs the Fox Alien Masuter pro? thanks!