The Best 3D Wood Carving Machine For Crafters

Machine for wood carving; who would have thought we would ever live to see this day? But when you hear about just a product, you can’t help but wonder about the complexity of the components and how one would operate such a thing. There are so many questions that come to mind when you first come across the concept of such a piece of equipment, so we are going to try and answer some of the most common ones, and then provide you with a list of the best 3D wood carving machines that money can buy right now.

Quick Comparisons Of The 5 Best 3d Wood Carving Machines

About Wood Carving Machines

It’s very common to wonder how such a machine would function, what are its components, or what are some of the best types of wood that you can use with this device.

What Is A Wood Carving Machine?

You will often come across something known as a CNC router, which is basically a cutting tool that’s controlled by a computer and connected to a hand-held router. As these components are brought together, they are useful for cutting through a variety of different materials, such as glass, steel, plastic, or wood.

3D Wood Carving Machine Applications

When it comes to wood carvings, you can do pretty much anything you want with these machines. You can carve on doors, create interior decorations that are made from wood, work on wooden signs and panels, create frames, make wooden musical instruments, and even wooden furniture.

Best Wood For Choosing Carving Machines

This is a really important question for those who are looking to buy a 3D wood carving machine and aren’t sure what wood to get for their projects. Wood that comes from fruit trees is really good for making dishes and wooden spoons because of its fine grain. Basswood has a surface that makes it super easy to work with and it’s excellent even for manual carvings. Butternut is really good for relief carving, while white pine or oak are great for making furniture.

Tips For Choosing A 3d Wood Carving Machine

Choosing the best machine for your needs means knowing what to look for to begin with. Take a look at these key components when shopping around and make sure the machine you choose is one where these aspects fit for you.

CNC Controller/Computer System

This is the brain behind any wood carving machine. They work together to give the actual motor commands on how to move and how deep to cut so that you can get the best results each time. Before every actual carving process, you need a digital design and special compatible software to turn those designs into a language that the motor can understand.

The Spindle

This is the part of the machine that does the actual cutting. It is basically a rotating cutting tool that operates at different speeds that can lead to up to 30k rotations per minute. Some wood carving machines have spindles so powerful; they can easily carve on surfaces made from metal as well.

The Cutting Bed

This is the surface where all the magic happens. It is the table that supports the surface being cut and it can come in many different sizes.

The Linear Drive Systems

It’s very difficult to talk about these components without overwhelming you with the technical details, but let’s give that a shot. Your wood cutting machine has a different axis, and each axis is equipped with a linear drive system responsible for moving the spindles. For CNC machines, these systems include a motor, some lead screw assembly, and a linear bearing system.

Top 5 CNC Wood Carving Machine Reviews

Let’s dive even further into the matter and discover what the market has to offer in terms of 3D wood carving machines. Stick with us as we guide you through the best of the best.

1. BobsCNC Evolution 3 CNC Router Kit

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This router kit is the kind of product that will overwhelm you at first, but once you learn your way around it, it can be extremely valuable and pleasant to work it, giving you good results time and time again. It is a piece of very complex machinery that you have to learn in order to understand everything about the software and accuracy.

The good news about the assembly process is that you don’t need that many additional tools, except some wire cutters, needle-nose pliers, and a Phillips screwdriver. In order to actually get the CNC to work, you will need an application that can read G-code and transfer commands to the machine. You will also need software that will help you with the design or design files import so that a G-code file may be generated.

Who Should Buy This?

Those of you that value durability and sturdiness in a CNC machine will appreciate the high-quality construction of the BobsCNC Evolution 3 wood carving machine.

Pros:

• Complete kit.
• Clear assembly instructions.
• Free software.
• Good for simple to complex projects.
• Sturdy construction.

Cons:

• Takes a long time to assemble.
• Few complaints about accuracy.

2. MYSWEETY CNC 3018PRO-M Mini CNC Machine

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We move onto a budget buy and a machine that is available in three different sizes so that you don’t have to spend money buying a large piece of equipment if all you really need is something to help you work on smaller projects. This is a carving and engraving machine that works with different types of materials and surfaces, like wood, hard metal, plastic, or acrylic.

It comes with two acrylic baffles on each side that grant you a better overview of the engraving process. It allows you to manually adjust the three-axis locations so that you can work on your projects without the need to download any files. The offline controller gives you the opportunity to use the machine even without a computer connection.

There is also a laser module available, but you will have to purchase it separately. The actual kit contains a router kit, an offline controller, four clamps, 10 bits, two acrylic bafflers, plus one extension rod with ER11 collet.

Who Should Buy This?

If you’re looking for a smaller 3D wood carving machine to work on smaller projects, but one that is efficient and easy to use nevertheless, you can opt for the stress-free MYSWEETY CNC 3018PRO-M.

Pros:

• Engraving process monitorization.
• Offline controllers are available.
• It can be used without a computer.
• Compatible with lasers.
• Good for different materials.
• Three sizing options.

Cons:

• Will only work for small-scale projects.

3. Next Wave Automation CNC Piranha XL

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Sometimes, wood engravings and carving are all about very detailed work, especially if you’re making decorative wooden objects that require intricate patterns. For such type of work, you can rely on a piece of machinery such as the Next Wave Automation CNC Piranha XL. The machine is operated by the VCarve Desktop V8 Design software which is included for free with the purchase of the carving machine (note that the software is not compatible with Mac systems).

Once you’ve created the digital design of your choice, you can transfer the design using a USB flash drive and have your machine do the rest. The Next Wave Automation CNC Piranha XL includes a variety of awesome features, like rotational sensing technology, a cutting area of 12 x 24 inches, and the fact that you won’t have to stress over the installation process too much since the machine is sent to you already assembled.

Who Should Buy This?

The Next Wave Automation CNC Piranha XL is a great wood carving machine that’s perfect for people who want to create intricate ideas that are rich in details, and especially for those who are interested in making wooden decorations and engravings.

Pros:

• Great for making ornaments.
• Software included.
• Shipped ready assembled.
• Included processor.

Cons:

• Software is not Mac compatible.
• Requires a separate palm router.

4. VEVOR CNC 3018 Pro Max 3

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Let’s talk about the VEVOR CNC 3018 Pro Max 3, a machine that’s designed for beginners who want to get acquainted with what such a piece of equipment can do before they end up spending money on more expensive products. The machine is powered by 42 stepper motors that are integrated on each of the three axes to make sure the unit can smoothly make cuts on different wooden surfaces.

It comes with a multifunctional offline controller that gives you the power to operate the machine without having to connect it to a computer or download any files, being operated just about the same way as the MYSWEETY CNC 3018PRO-M Mini CNC Machine. The machine isn’t just compatible with wooden-based projects, but it can also work with surfaces that are made from PVC, soft aluminum, plastics, acrylics, and more.

Who Should Buy This?

When you’re new to the world of 3D wood carving machines, you want a unit that’s easy to use, simple to figure out, and doesn’t cost a fortune. The VEVOR CNC 3018 Pro Max 3 meets all those requirements (and more).

Pros:

• Offline controller included.
• Versatile surface compatibility.
• Solid aluminum construction.
• Good for beginners.
• Affordable price.
• It can reach speeds of up to 10k rotations per minute.

Cons:

• YouTube videos for assembly assistance might be needed.

5. CNC Piranha FX

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The CNC Piranha FX is a piece of machinery very similar to the CNC Shark, and it’s meant to deliver a cool interface that gives you the freedom to work on a variety of wood carving projects. It comes with a 12 x 18-inch table that’s suitable for smaller projects that vary from decoration items to wooden plaques.

The machine can be considered one of the most accurate ones in its price range, as it can be used for projects that are as detail-sensitive as a custom circuit board. Because of its relatively low dimensions, the machine should fit on just about any medium-to-large table, so you won’t really have to worry about investing in other pieces of furniture for machine placement.

Who Should Buy This?

The CNC Piranha FX is an ideal machine for people who want a very straightforward and easy-to-use piece of equipment, but are willing to spend more than what’s expected for a beginner’s 3D wood carving machine. It’s also a great buy for small Etsy shop owners that are looking to make a business out of wooden carving decorations and custom projects.

Pros:

• Highly accurate.
• Not a large space consumer.
• Easy to use.
• No computer connection required.

Cons:

• A bit expensive.

Bottom Line

Owning a good 3D wood carving machine is amazing for a lot of different reasons. If you are the average home user, you can create some of the most amazing and customized wooden decorations and carvings that you can think of, and end up having the items that you dreamed of but simply couldn’t find in shops. But, in my opinion, the BobsCNC Evolution 3 CNC Router Kit is probably the best 3D wood carving machine when you factor in cost, value, versatility, and more.

If you are looking to make a living by offering people a wide array of customized objects and are looking for something that can help you carve in wood, these machines are a must-have, even if some of the most feature-packed models can end up costing thousands of dollars.