Desktop CNC kit with a 300 x 180 mm work envelope, GRBL control, ER11 spindle, and keyed wiring that let makers engrave PCBs, plastics, and hardwood alongside their 3D printing projects.

I rebuilt my Genmitsu 3018-PRO this fall with the bundled GS-775M 20K spindle and it reminded me why this kit is still the best entry CNC platform under a few hundred bucks. Assembly now takes under an hour thanks to pre-wired limit switches and labeled harnesses, and once the frame is squared it happily carves hardwood inlays, FR-4 PCBs, and acrylic panels with 0.05 mm repeatability. I rely on Candle/UGS with stock GRBL 1.1, but the board also accepts LaserGRBL and gSender when I swap to the 5.5 W diode module. The keyed wiring and acrylic safety shield are welcome upgrades for classroom demos, while the offline controller and Wi-Fi relay let me run a short batch without tethering a laptop. Power-wise, ECO passes on my 3 mm birch sheets draw about 3 A at 24 V, and the new spindle runs cooler than the original 10K motor, so tool changes feel less rushed. You’ll outgrow the 300 x 180 mm work area if you want cabinetry or aluminum, but for badges, instrument panels, and PCB prototypes this kit still punches above its price.

Desktop CNC router with 300x180mm work area and GRBL control. Pre-wired harness and 20K spindle perfect for PCB milling, acrylic engraving, and hardwood inlays.

Genmitsu 3018-PRO Desktop CNC Router with 20K Spindle

Genmitsu 3018-PRO CNC Router with 20000RPM Spindle

Starter kit including Raspberry Pi 5, power supply, case, and cooling—everything needed to set up a capable single‑board computer.

CanaKit’s Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO has become my go-to recommendation when coworkers want to jump into Pi development without chasing parts. The bundle ships with the 8 GB Pi 5, 27 W USB-C PD supply, active-cooling case, pre-imaged 128 GB microSD, HDMI cables, and even a USB-C power switch—everything you need to boot into Raspberry Pi OS in minutes. The new active cooler is whisper quiet yet keeps the board under 65°C while I run Docker stacks or compile Rust projects, and the case exposes all headers so I can still hook up HATs. I appreciate that CanaKit includes a printed quick-start sheet plus a USB card reader for re-flashing the SD when I experiment with Ubuntu or Home Assistant. You’ll still want peripherals (keyboard, mouse, display), but as a one-box platform for tinkering with GPIO, Kubernetes, or retro emulation, it’s excellent.

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO with Active Cooling

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO

Diode laser engraver/cutter for engraving and light cutting of materials like wood, leather, and acrylic with fine precision.

I run an xTool D1 Pro 20W in my shop for custom signage and leatherwork, and it’s a reliable diode cutter. The 20 W quad-diode head slices through 6 mm plywood and 8 mm black acrylic in one pass, while engraving speed stays crisp on anodized aluminum and glass when I slap on the rotary roller. xTool Creative Space and LightBurn both work well; I lean on LightBurn for more advanced layer control. The metal frame stays square, belts haven’t stretched after a year, and the new air-assist keeps char minimal. I topped it with xTool’s enclosure and fume extraction—you’ll want ventilation in any indoor setup. For makers who want a capable diode engraver without jumping to CO₂, the D1 Pro remains my pick.

20W diode laser engraver and cutter for wood, leather, and acrylic. Compatible with LightBurn and xTool Creative Space, perfect for makers and small businesses.

xTool D1 Pro 20W Diode Laser Engraver Cutter for Makers

xTool D1 Pro Laser Engraver

Curated maker products we use and recommend. Each item tested in real-world scenarios. Find 3 products with detailed reviews, pros, and cons.

Maker Products

Genmitsu 3018-PRO CNC Router with 20000RPM Spindle

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO

xTool D1 Pro Laser Engraver