3040 CNCs are neither too small nor too large, making them ideal for DIY and small business applications like cutting, milling, carving, and engraving jobs.
These machines are a good pick for anyone wanting to work on soft workpieces, including metals like aluminum.
With a 3040 CNC, one can do quality work at an affordable price, but many important factors must be considered before buying a 3040 machine.
This guide will walk you through selecting the best 3040 CNC for your application.
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Best 3040 CNC Routers in 2023
1.

Vevor is a machine tool manufacturer based in the USA. They make many machines for the automotive, arts and crafts, gardening, and food industries.
Their 3-Axis 3040 CNC is a popular choice among many hobbyists. It comes as a 3-axis machine, but you can upgrade it to 4-axis with their optional rotary upgrade.
It has an aluminum build, and its footprint measures 24.0″ x 17.7″ x 15.4″. Its work area can safely house up to 2.2″ thick workpieces.
Vevor 3040 CNC is powered by a DC motor with a variable speed range of 0 – 12,000 RPM. It is powerful enough to work on soft materials like wood, wax, plastic, acrylic, and composites.
All three axes are screw driven and are supported by rigid chrome shafts. The screw drives are covered with aluminum panels to protect them from dust.
The drives are computer-controlled by stepper motors but can be manually turned using the rotating wheel built into the drive system.
It has a repeatable accuracy of 0.05mm (0.002″) and works with a maximum transmission speed of 2000 mm/min.
The machine comes with detailed manuals having information on the machine and its assembly.
They also have videos that guide you through the assembly process. For queries, you can contact them through phone, email, live chat, or the contact form on their website.
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2. Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 CNC

The Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 CNC from SainSmart is a popular 3040 CNC router.
It can’t be called a true 3040 CNC because its work area is larger at the X-axis (400 mm) and short at the Y-axis (300 mm).
Comparatively, a true 3040 CNC will have a narrow X-axis (300 mm) and a wider Y-axis (400 mm).
Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 can house workpieces up to 4.3″ (110 mm) thick. It can work on soft materials like plastic, foam, vinyl, wood, composites, etc.
The machine uses leadscrew drives on all three axes for transmission. Separate NEMA 23 stepper motors drive them.
Interestingly, the Y-axis of the machine uses a dual drive. This allows the gantry to move smoothly without racking.
Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 is powered by a 12,000 RPM spindle capable of attaining a maximum feed rate of 2000 mm/min.
The range of upgrades Genmitsu provides for this machine makes it a unique pick. It is truly a versatile machine with its 6060 extension, laser module, and offline control kits.
Sainsmart provides a 1-year warranty for the Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 CNC machine. Each upgrade also has an independent warranty that you can claim.
For queries, you can contact Sainsmart through phone or email.
If you already have the Genmitsu 3018-PROVer CNC, you can upgrade it to 3040 CNC with their extension kit.
It is a versatile machine and it has many upgrade options.
It is provided with a 1-year warranty.
3. JFT 3040 CNC

The 3040 CNC from JTF is a good option for hobbyists and small businesses. It is equipped with a water-cooled spindle having a max speed of 24,000 RPM.
You can change the spindle speed using the variable speed control on the controller modules. It also has a digital readout screen showing the spindle speed.
JFT 3040 CNC has an all-metal aluminum build. Its workbed has T-slotted rails for easy clamping.
For transmission, it uses ball screw drives on all three axes (X, Y, Z). With it, the machine can achieve a maximum feed rate of 4,500 RPM and repeatable accuracy of 0.03mm.
JFT provides Mach3 control software with the 3040 CNC machine. It runs on computers having Windows OS.
You can also operate the machine with other control software like ArtCAM, TYPE3, etc.
JFT 3040 CNC ships as a DIY kit, and you need to assemble it. The tools required for machine assembly are provided in the kit.
JTF provides a 1-year warranty for their 3040 CNC machine. For support, you can contact them through their Facebook page.
It has an all-metal build made of aluminum.
JFT provides it with a 1-year warranty.
An Introduction to 3040 CNC
3040 CNCs are medium-sized desktop CNC machines that can be used to mill, drill, cut, and carve different materials. These machines provide a work area of 300 x 400 mm, ideal for small projects. Their affordable price and rigid build make them an ideal choice for beginners and hobbyists.
These machines provide a medium-sized work area that is bigger than 3018 CNCs but smaller than 6040 CNCs.
What to look for in a 3040 CNC?
Machine Build
The build quality of a CNC machine is one of the most important factors to consider.
It determines the machine’s rigidity and stiffness, which directly affects the materials it can work with.
A 3040 CNC machine with an all-metal build is the best option to get good rigidity. It helps them deliver a strong cutting force on the workpiece.
This rigid configuration allows 3040 CNCs to be used for machining metals like aluminum.
Work Area
The work area of a CNC is the fixed area in which the cutter can move. It determines the size of the workpiece that can be machined.
3040 CNC’s work area measures 300 x 400 mm (11.81″ x 15.74″). It is ideal for working on small projects like sign making, coasters, key chains, dog tags, PCB milling, wax carving, etc.
Spindle

The tool that cuts the workpiece is connected to a spindle. A powerful motor powers the spindle by rotating it at high speeds.
A 3040 CNC can have speeds anywhere between 0 – 24,000 RPM. Most of them max out at 8,000 or 12,000 RPM, but some manufacturers offer higher speeds.
High speeds spindles are a good workaround for small-sized machines like a 3040 as you can make intricate details on small work surfaces with a tool rotating at high speeds.
A CNC with variable spindle speed control provides the ability to work on different materials and ensure high-quality outputs.
Generally, most 3040 CNCs have a variable speed controller that adjusts the spindle speed with a rotary switch.
Number of Axes

A hobby CNC like 3040 generally has about 3 axes (X, Y, Z). As the number of axes increases, the complexity of controlling the machine also increases.
Some 3040 CNCs provide an optional rotary axis, which can be connected in place of a master axis (usually the Y-axis). This is because these machines come with a 3-axis controller and do not provide support for 4-axes system.
Transmission

Machine transmission and rigidity have a major part to play in the accuracy and repeatability of a CNC machine.
The transmission system is what drives the tool head along each axis to make the desired cuts.
3040 CNCs generally come with a ball screw or lead screw drive. Both are threaded metal rods combined with barrel nuts and pattern nuts for machine transmission.
A machine with a ball screw transmission will be much more precise and can hold heavier loads compared to a machine with a lead screw drive.
Accessories
The accessories used with CNC machines can help support the machining operation by monitoring and controlling the process.
Some of the common accessories used with 3040-type CNCs include cutting bits, coolant systems, z-probe, dust collectors, rotary rollers, etc.
Coolant systems are only needed while working on metal workpieces. Also, on a machine like 3040 CNC, you will only use spray-type coolant systems.
The accessories you need to use with your machine depend on the materials you process and their applications.
Upgradability
An upgradable CNC machine will be much more flexible and will serve you for a long time. This includes the hardware of the machine and the software the machine controller supports.
Software Compatibility

To connect and control the 3040 CNC machine, you need to use software that allows you to do all the operations you want to perform.
While selecting software, check whether it supports additional axes and accessories or if it can perform both CAM and control operations.
Also, check whether the software supports your computer in terms of the operating systems and hardware requirements.
Support
The support you get from the manufacturer and the community surrounding the machine you purchase are important factors to consider.
Having a large and active community means most of the questions related to the machine will be easily answered on forums and discussions.
Poor support systems with delayed responses to queries can negatively affect your warranty claims, replacements, etc.
Final Thoughts
3040 CNCs are a step up from the 3018 CNCs and are suited for light to medium routing/milling jobs.
Their powerful spindles are one of the most attractive features that allow them to perform various operations like milling, cutting, drilling, chamfering, etc., on different materials.
When coupled with special end mills, some 3040 CNCs provide the ability to engrave steel, but it is not recommended to use them for cutting hard metals.
Having a small, handy CNC like the 3040 CNC is great for hobbyists, as it allows one to perform small jobs without compromising quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own CNC router? If so, how?
Yes, you can make your own CNC router. Designing and building a custom CNC router is a tedious but rewarding process. First, you have to engineer a rigid design to withstand the physical cutting process. Many DIY CNC designs are available online, you can either use any of those or make one yourself. Then list out the components you need to make the machine and calculate the estimated cost. Generally, custom builds cost less than buying a similar-sized machine, but if you make mistakes and break machine parts during the process, then it can drive up the price.
How much does a DIY CNC cost?
A DIY CNC machine can cost anywhere between $300 – $10,000. The cost varies depending on the complexity of the design, tools, materials, control, and drive systems used to build the machine.
What can I do with a home CNC machine?
You can use a home CNC machine to make parts, signage, furniture, and other objects out of wood, aluminum, plastic, acrylic, and more. The material a home CNC can work on will depend on its build quality, spindle power, and cutting tools.