3018 PRO - Is it worth the money?

After owning a 3018Pro for over 12 months, I thought it was worth answering the question of was it worth purchasing and that is what I cover in this episode.

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[crystalclosser]

You did the thing nobody else did you committed to a yes or no on value and spent our time making this relatable. Thank you.

[SenyaRusty]

I purchased this machine about three months ago. In the process of assembling and configuring, I ran into many difficulties. Sometimes I got to despair. But thanks to the Internet community and YouTube channels such as yours, all the difficulties have been overcome. I do not regret the money spent at all, because the experience that I received during this time is priceless. Thanks for your hard work James!

[lukaskmoch]

Great video and I can't more than agree with your opinions! I bought it about a year ago myself and I am very satisfied.

[MaxKlax]

For those, who don't want to see whole video - the answer is "Yes" :)

[chrisrichard]

Looking at buying my first machine. Green as green can be. Thanks for helping out in making a choice of machines

[AdeSwash]

Thanks for all your great videos James I am a new user of the 3018 and a complete CNC virgin, I have watched a few of your vids but just assembled it today, so will be watching from start to finish. Cheers Ade

[webmonkeyuk]

Really enjoying this video series. I got a 3018 Pro in December.

A couple of ideas for videos:
- Feeds, speeds and cutting bits - I know it's a pretty much endless topic but some standard "recipes" for different jobs
- Your wasteboard - how you made it and how it's fitted to the aluminium bed

Thanks again for the great vids

[frankskerlan]

Thanks Dean for the positive recommendation. After watching several of your videos on the 3018 Pro, I pressed the buy button last night. To my surprise I received my delivery from Amazon by 2 this afternoon. Wow. I quickly ran down into my basement and assembled the little thing just like your video. By 5 this afternoon I had it put together and running with the offline controller. Tomorrows another day and Ill install the software and run my first cut. Thanks for the advice and keep them videos coming.

[ollietravelinaround]

I have procrastinated for ages to buy one of these. At this satge only wanting to leard and do small jobs. Thanks for your 3018 series. I have now pressed the buy now button and am waiting on delivery.

[DaveGatton]

The 3018 Pro is worth every penny and I think you James are an excellent example of why. You have a great YouTube channel that is an excellent source of information for these mini CNCs. I just recently purchased one from Amazon for only $154 and I'm having a lot of fun with it.

[gluonsworkshop]

Thanks for the nice summary! I concur.
I purchased the Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018 PROVer in November 2020 and I am very satisfied with the cutting/surfacing/engraving work I do on wood and acrylic for PC modding projects.
Only limitation I quickly bumped into with this use case scenario was the XY work area, so I recently upgraded with the 3040 extension kit. I took it as an opportunity to also upgrade to the 775 spindle. Really pleased with the upgradability and value for the money so far.

[michaeltrautwein]

Hi there. I bought a 3018pro with laser from another manufacturer. After the assembly, I tried the laser first. I noticed a click in the X direction when the axis is negative. (So ​​-X) Since the spindle of the drive runs through 2 nuts and one is pretensioned by a spring, I found the cause there: The loose nut hits the housing every half turn. (The groove in which the nut sits is apparently a little too big.) A piece of cardboard stuck on one side between the nut and the housing has helped. But you have to come to that first. Since I tested the laser first (5.5 watt version) I was extremely surprised at how fine the lines became. The laser is really great and the lines are 0.05mm in diameter. (Perfect focus point) Since I am new to this field, I did not have high expectations when I tried a picture for the first time, but I was positively surprised. The result was almost PERFECT! (A little too bright, but that's just a matter of setting.) I would buy this machine again at any time! Sorry for the bad text. Made with Google Translator because my English is very bad.

[ericmeehan]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I'll be checking out your tutorials once I get mine :)

[davidearp]

Great video James, you've convinced mine last night via your link, looking forward to watching more of your videos to learn how to use the bugger, thanks again 👍

[guntersg]

Very balanced review, thank you! I just used your link to purchase one! :)

[GadgetmanNH]

Great videos. I just got my 3018 with 2.5w laser for $204 2 days ago. Really hard to beat. Your videos are helpful. I was not aware of the extension kit, so I imagine that will be on my list soon. I like that enclosure you made. I will be making one soon too (I have the window panel on order now due to the laser). I plan to put a small fan with an in and out tube vented to the window when I run the laser. These things are a blast to learn and use.

[jwwilson]

Lasergrbl doesn't do portraits on my cnc-3018pro as you stated. Everything I tried failed to produce a decent portait.

[DWITD]

I've had my 3018 Prover for 18 months now... but don't use it. I need to get at it LOL. I have ALL the upgrades (400mm kit, laser, motor, dust collector, etc.), so it's time to start making money with it. You are very inspiring James, thank you!

[spacewalla]

Cracking video and well presented. Thanks

[krekel]

Thanks James, I am a CNC beginner and have looked at many brands in different price ranges. For now, I just want to make panels for flight simulation projects, basically acrylic with holes and squares I need to make for rotary switches and buttons. This video convinced me and I will buy from your link. Mainly because it is upgradable. I also looked at the 4030, which is obviously the better machine but costs 3-4 times as much.