New to cnc, this is my first purchase. Easy enough to assemble, although the mach 3 software only installed from usb stick, would not install from CD. I bought this model as it appeared a little more substantial than the 3018 variants, with a seemingly more powerful spindle motor. End uses I had in mind on purchase were to cut oak parquet blocks accurately for an intricate non-linear pattern, maybe mill/drill pcb's, and make/cut out front panels for hobby electronics enclosures, hopefully from 2/2.5mm aluminium with the right end mill. Speed is not important, this is not for commercial use for me, and the computer control should be better than me with a drill press and dremel....So far, I have successfully carved text into, and cut out blocks, from 18mm mdf with supplied bits, using a free trial of easel to generate gcode. An enjoyable learning curve for me, but just getting started, so not pushing limits as yet. Initial criticisms are that the clamps are pretty woeful, the m6 hex bolt head with wing nut doesn't hold well in the aluminium v track, and I'd like to have had limit switches, or at least terminals on the (slightly noisy) control box for adding limit switches later. Came with an ER11 1/8in collet, and a few simple bits, carve and end mill, to get started. Overall, then, a worthwhile purchase and I'm very pleased with it so far. I found the video of how to setup helpful, but do expect to do some reading around. It seems stable, its pretty well built, and comparatively good value.
Martin Gard 
