Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018-PROver CNC Router Review and Test(MDF, Acrylic and Aluminum)

Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018 PROVer CNC Router Review and Test #CNC #sainsmart

In today’s video, I’m looking at the Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018 Prover edition. The 3018 Prover is the newest and probably the most refined or most complete iteration of Sainsmart’s Genmitsu series of 3018 CNC routers. And this unit was sent to me by Sainsmart for the purposes of this review.Now, a bit of background about the Genmitsu 3018 routers and 3018 cnc routers in general. These 3018 routers are Arduino powered CNC routers that are built by dozens of Chinese companies and its almost impossible to tell them apart. They were primarily designed and built to be inexpensive desktop cnc routers or mills for engraving wood and plastic, performing milling and slotting operations in plastic and wood, and even milling pcbs or soft metals like aluminum. While several generic manufacturers produce and sell these machines, Sainsmart’s Genmitsu machines have emerged as the quote unquote, branded option. And Sainsmart has been making these machines for quite a few years now and currently sells a few different flavors. The version I am looking at today is the newest version and is also probably the version most suited for folks looking to get into cnc machining as soon as possible, without spending weeks or months tinkering to get the machine working. So let’s take a closer look.
For starters, the 3018-Prover Router machine came semi-assembled and was neatly packed with all the fastners and accessories clearly labeled. In terms of assembly and setup, this machine requires the least amount of assembly of the 3018 machines,but it still takes a few hours to assemble and setup, and does take quite a bit of care and patience to get it working. Once assembled, the machine is fairly compact, measuring in at about 15 inches by 15 inches by 12 inches in height. And just to give you a sense of how compact it is, you can see that it takes up much less than half of my 48 inch workbench. The machine’s frame is made from aluminum and is pretty rigidly built. However the spindle housing or mount is made from plastic, though that doesn’t seem to affect the performance of the spindle. The spindle has a maximum speed of 10000RPM and uses an ⅛ inch ER11 collet which allows you to use bits with a shank diameter of ⅛ inch or approximately 3mm. You can buy ER11 collets with diameters as large as ¼ of inch, but do remember that these larger bits will put more strain on the spindle. The workbed measures 300mm in width by 180mm deep and is also made from aluminum. The bed has slots to accommodate t slot fasteners for clamps. Material can be clamped to the bed using the provided clamps. I cut a few small squares of mdf that I placed under the leveling screws on the clamps, and this prevents the screws from damaging the bed. I also recommend using a piece of wood or thick mdf under your material to act as a spoil board. This is especially important if you’re planning to mill all the way through your material. Unlike other 3018 routers, the Prover comes equipped with limit switches on all three axes, which ensures that the machine's stepper motors don’t burn out, if your g code program tries to push the machine past its physical limits.

[peters]

Good to see a review from someone knowledgeable about inherent machine limitations. I think a lot of people buy these and expect them to immediately mill quickly through all materials without considering feed rates, depth of cut and bit selection. Having some mechanical sympathy is key for getting the best from these hobbyist machines.

[redsteam]

The dimension test was excellent! Thanks for doing that!

[DIYerGuy]

Very nice review! Let me say upfront that I'd love to see you do a demo video on milling a double-sided (or single-sided) PCB on copper-clad FR4 material with the 3018 Prover CNC. This would help because there are a number of ways to do this, using a number of software programs. While some may know exactly what those steps are, not everyone will, so it would help take some of that guess-work out and cover what's required in a general sense. And your video makes me feel better, too, because I just purchased the Sainsmart 3018 PROver CNC for prototyping PCBs and though I know it's not a high-end machine it should do a satisfactory job if the machine is set up properly and the proper bit type/size and other setting are in place - that's the part that's subject to guessing and experimentation. I've subscribed to your channel and looking forward to other of your videos on the 3018 CNC, and hopefully one on milling PCBs! Thanks.

[TracksWithDax]

Excellent review! I've been flip-flopping between a K40 laser (at around $370) and something more like this, primarily as a means for cutting small 1/4in or 1/2in MDF templates for routing in furniture projects. I think your review has helped me decide that the CNC may be the better option for my use case!
That fact that it's about $200 cheaper, far better official support, and is capable of cutting multiple depths all the way through even pretty hard materials makes it quite appealing in comparison to the K40 whose only major advantage besides the pinpoint accuracy of a laser is that it has maybe another 2 - 4 square inches on its cutting bed.

Making the purchase! :)

[SageRonin]

Nice review! Can you do a laser engraving test on various materials like aluminum, leather, wood, etc...?

[GRUMO]

Thanks for making such a well done detailed video. Could you share your settings for cutting hole in ABS? I'm having trouble getting them right. These are mine settings right now:

Router bit: 2 mm dia.
Feed rate: 150 mm/min
Plunge rate: 100 mm/min
Depth per pass: 0.5 mm
Spindle speed: 3, 500 RPM

Thanks!

[polymexdf]

Hi great video one of the best I seeing here what would be ther next size up or the largest table top machine that you recommend thanks

[gordondabney]

Very helpful review, thanks! I am wanting to purchase a CNC Router and am a beginner. I want to incorporate it into various woodworking projects, specifically with inlays and cutting out intricate shapes that are a bit too detailed for my scroll saw. Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to cut a simple shape all the way through a 3/4" board of walnut, maple, etc.?

[katiehamilton]

Do you have a link for the online program your recommended

[mvcnow]

As far as the wiring… did you have a problem with cables not being long enough or unplugging when the machine went all the way left? :/ I thought I broke it

[whyunbox]

what is the noise level when is in use?

[warmbld]

is the easel monthly subscription needed to mill PCB's ?

[DropTable]

I would like to learn how to use the 3018-PROver CNC Router with hopes of getting good enough to use one of the milling machines at work or at my local makerspace. Is that a realistic expectation? I have solidworks student version, so Im hoping to learn all the "machinist basics" on this machine and then be able to use the bigger machines.

Of course I will still need at least little training to use the high end stuff - but my hope is that I can use this as a real stepping stone to get me 90% of the way there in terms of being ready for using the expensive ones.

To reframe the question using metaphors: If I learned to drive a bargain economy car lots of that learning would transfer into being able to drive a high end sports car. Of course there is a huge gap between the two vehicles. BUT being able to drive is usually a prerequisite for driving the expensive car.

I appreciate any advise on how to go about using / learning this machine with the goal of being able to eventually use the industrial grade machines.

[Lawzy]

This is a very helpful video, thanks. How do you feel the router would handle something like 3mm carbon fibre sheet?

[billmartin]

First of all I would like to say a big thank you for making this video. 
I'm looking to get into CNC machining. 
For a first time user, with limited funds, I'm looking for a machine to start learning CNC. 
In your honest opinion do you think this is the best machine for me ?
How hard is it to learn CNC coding or are there web sites which I can go and visit for more help.
Thank You.
Stay safe.
Bill M8-)
Scotland

[justinknott]

cool vid / but for the same cost you can get the OM tech f40 CO2 laser

[ChesapeakeBay]

Hey, I liked your review of the CNC machine. After working with it how do you think it does while milling copper or aluminum? I am thinking of making some custom water blocks and distribution plates for my PC water cooling kit; do you think it would be able to cut cooling fins into copper with the current spindle? I saw where they offer a 20, 000 RPM spindle for the machine. If the 10, 000 RPM does not cut copper well, would you think that the 20, 000 RPM spindle would be able to or should I look at a different machine?

[xmeng]

GREAT VIDEO, CONGRATS! I'M TRYING TO ENGRAVE A PATH ON A 21 MM THICK MATERIAL, BUT WHEN I SET THE XYZ ORIGIN THE MACHINE DOES NOT START. I THINK THAT THE TRAVEL OF THE Z AXIS IS LIMITED BY THE END STOP SWITCH. IS THERE A WAY TO DEFINE THE TRAVEL SO I CAN WORK ON MY 21 MM WOOD? THANKS

[samuelcook]

How long did you test it for -- did it hold up for more than a month?

[mtz]

can a bigger router be place on this machine?