Choose the machine. Understand the tooling. Make better parts.
Independent practical guides for comparing CNC machines, inspecting used equipment, building tooling systems, planning a shop and researching current marketplace inventory.
Buy the complete production system your actual parts require: machine, control, workholding, tooling, metrology, software, support, installation and training.
Holiday gift guide
Gifts for CNC makers and hobby machinists
End mills, probes, clamps and machine upgrades matched to their router or mill, with the collet, spindle and controller checks first.
Open the gift guideMore gift ideas: CNC stocking stuffers Gifting a desktop CNC Black Friday CNC tools
Start with the decision in front of you
CNCGuide.co is organized around machine selection, used-equipment due diligence, process planning and the equipment ecosystem around the machine.
Machine Finder
Match the part, material, work envelope, budget and production goal.
Start hereUsed CNC Inspection
Check the control, spindle, axes, lubrication, geometry, tooling and records.
Start hereTooling & Workholding
Build compatible systems for mills, lathes, routers and production cells.
Start hereShop Calculators
Estimate RPM, feed, chip load, image scale and other planning values.
Start hereCAD/CAM & Posts
Connect design, toolpaths, machine definitions, simulation and validated NC output.
Start hereOhio Manufacturing
Machine-tool history, job shops, education, auctions and industrial research.
Used machines can be valuable—or expensive surprises
Inspect the machine cold, review alarms and maintenance, exercise every axis, listen to the spindle, inspect lubrication and way protection, verify backups, test tool changes and calculate rigging and installation before bidding.
Open the inspection guideSearch current equipment
Use marketplace listings to understand inventory and asking prices, not as proof of condition or value.
Search eBay CNC machinesAffiliate link.
Build the complete shop ecosystem
CAM to control: verify before production
Autodesk Fusion can generate toolpaths and NC code, but machine definitions and postprocessors must be checked for the exact controller. Our Fusion manufacturing workflow guide includes a machine-specific release checklist, simulation limits, and shop documentation steps.