Sainsmart 3018 PROVer Mach3 Cnc Build, Test & Review

[@iPhoneGottaHaves]

Please review everything on the internet lol.. you HANDS DOWN have the most detailed and well informed review! Wow! Great video

[@valeriegeertsen4722]

This is a great and very comprehensive description of the start-up process. A treasure-trove of information

[@imanutnur7]

I was a service engineer for Mazak CNC Machinery at one time and installed and serviced many CNC machines. After retiring I made a CNC machine with ball screws on all axis and decided to enlarge it I made a second one that was 4'x8' with bike chains on X-axis and Y-axis and ball screw on Z-axis. It used the Mach3 operating system also. I just bought a new one off of Amazon.

[@gannas42]

Interesting that adding the dust boot made it a lot more evident how much flex is in the ABS plastic Z axis assembly.

[@brt246]

Woooow , you're knowledge and presentation, woooow 👏👏👏 fantastic ,thank you

[@clustef33]

Excellent and helpful review. I bought the CNC machine after having watched this. The review guided me through all the installation and configuration steps. Easy with this video at hand! I got some problems with the Mach 3 software though: The 'Auto Tool Zero' button doesn't work as expected (I doesn't work at all in fact - as opposed to DrufelCNC, where it worked as expected). I have installed the script as described in the video, including the tool height adjustment. But when I clicked the Auto Tool Zero button, the cutting bit started to move downwards, but it didn't stop when it reached the surface of the tool, the Z axis motor kept running and trying to move the bit down even further. Didn't sound healthy for the motor so I did an emergency stop. I don't believe this is a wiring issue, as DrufelCNC recognizes when the bit touches the tool's surface and stops the motor immediately. A problem with the Mach 3 version (I'm running R3.043.062)? Do you have any suggestion? I contacted Sain Smart support but their answer wasn't very helpful - they just suggested I should watch this video, but I think this kind of problem wasn't addressed, or did I just miss it? Also, in Mach3 the jogging speed is extremely slow by default, also different to DrufelCNC, where the CNC machine behave exactly as shown in your video.

[@techydiy]

In mach3 go to the config menu, Ports and pins and input signals. Then look for a signal called probe. It should be enabled and the port assigned. I can't remember if it is active low or not. You can check the probes state by going into the diagnostics menu and looking at pins current state The probe signal might be called probe or digitize - again I can't remember. You should then be able to touch the probe leads together and see if the probe or digitize "led" lights up

[@MaximKachurovskiy]

Just imagining the amount of time that goes into filming and editing all of this. Forget the actual assembly and gcode :)

[@melmurray2415]

I have a new 3018 pro and it came with no software or instruction Is there any classes I can take to learn how to use it

[@bobuk5722]

Hi. Excellent review, I wish more were done to your standard. To answer some of the comments below Mach 3 is highly capable professional level software and can be used across different types of multiple machines if needed - lathes, milling machines, etc, substantially reducing the cost per machine and excellent value for what you get. I think for the price this kit itself is remarkably good value and I wish Santa would get me one. I can see a lot of applications just for the engraving capability - professional looking machine control panels being just one. BobUK.

[@Maxwellbrutalio34]

why is this satisfying

[@AndrewAHayes]

I saved up to buy one of these and literally the day I was going to order I saw the 3040 model had been released so I will carry on saving although I have increased the amount I save each month, I hope to have the 3040 in four months time.

[@chriskwakernaat2328]

i just saw it on their page too , but europe is crossed out :(

[@aldodu4475]

Excellente vidéo félicitations. Personnellement j'ai acheté la version SainSmart PROVer 3018 basé sur GRBL pour bénéficier du laser et de la CNC mais merci car très instructif

[@pauls.5815]

Kitchen scissors to cut the zip ties triggered me a bit.

[@demihantubelang]

Watch this video from youtube recommendation and because of you, now i want one 👍 superb video production my dude

[@joeschiller6615]

You do such a good job explaining how to.

[@kghhgkgk6322]

Man those programs look like they were made for windows 3.1...

[@JohnColgan.]

Impressive video and very impressed with the machine. Build quality is much better than I expected having purchased a 3018 Pro clone with is much noisier & slower. My optimal cut depth is .4mm any deeper and decibels skyrocket. I wish I had opted for the genuine machine, but I can seriously consider this or its big brother on my upgrade path.

[@rameshtripathy5978]

Awesome machine & find useful ! Thank you so much!

[@toddlafrance4521]

Thank you very much for your efforts in making this helpful video.

[@brianhutchings1447]

Excellent video that was to the point and very informative.

[@yourunclesam6780]

Excelent review.Thank you for your time.

[@electronic7979]

Nice item

[@enricodesign619]

that's a good and in depth review, thank you

[@BC-ox4yo]

HI, This machine's "Y" axis can easily be increased at least of 1 foot long for having a huge covered and working space. I Always wondered why CNC Design Engineers did not think to increase le "Y" Axis to reach and win a large market. I Like the Idea and color of blue Plexis protection.

[@techydiy]

Fyi They have a y axis extension kit

[@BC-ox4yo]

@@techydiy Hi, Thxs for the answer, The Genmitsu company is from which country? On an other hand I've seen the The Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030, this machine does it have a "Y" extension kit and how long is it ? Thxs a lot. BC213

[@forMakers]

Detailed description best!

[@alfredellis8549]

Is the 3018 prover worth it over the 3018 for a beginner cutting hardwood?

[@tbabajan]

Really wanna see how it does with aluminum!

[@alfredomoleiro7897]

Will this work cutting or engraving metal?

[@preloprints]

Thank you so much for the video! Is it possible to use the CNC for milling on brass or copper?

[@techydiy]

Yes you can mill soft metals

[@safranvialar4555]

Amazing

[@samk.871]

Which one again you recommend with better software and to add laser and psp milling?

[@chiendangphi395]

Cho hỏi máy này bay giờ bán báo nhiêu tiền, trên trang nào vậy

[@DeadduckDen]

Hi TechyDiy, Great review, very informative, even for seasoned CNC users. I'm really curious as to why you would recommend the Prover GRBL version for PCB Milling instead of the Mach 3 version? Mach 3 works on the same premise of Gcode, so why would GBRL have an edge?

[@techydiy]

Grbl because of cost and the software for PCB milling is better. Other than that I prefer mach3. The usb mach3 controllers have a problem with height mapping (probing) which is essential for PCB milling

[@zoltanmeszaros580]

Professional man! I want to ask for your help. I installed Carbide version 514 without any problems and I can't create my own milling tool in the tool settings. I copied what you typed, but it does not accept and also indicates in the diameter that something is not good. It does not allow you to write a period for 3D parts. When I'm done, I can't save it because I also have a problem with the angle, but it's not an active window. Where did I go wrong?

[@tonymontero4752]

hi my friend i order 3018-PRO CNC ROUTER MACHIN but my i insert USB on computer but is not working dosnt open the file

[@Snowmunkee]

So the only differencd between the normal PROver and this is the control software?

[@hendalbdre3128]

Great vedio thank you I need to know "the price of these mashen and from weher

[@donaldorr1625]

Would a fourth axis of 50 mm work on this machine? Can Mach4 be used? Lots of good info. Thanks.

[@techydiy]

Probably, No only mach 3

[@Lawzy]

Absolutely fantastic review. I want a CNC to cut small carbon fibre parts (adding a water bed). Do you think the 3018 is suitable?

[@techydiy]

I haven't tried it. I know that others do so. Other than that I can't really help.

[@saifdarwish7644]

God 🙏 you ..

[@spiridon2349]

Не долго музыка играла думаю, где дымоудаление?

[@billmartin6687]

Thanks again for a fantastic video but what numpty doesn't like it. I bought the Genmitsu CNC router 3018 PROV-er. It arrived yesterday and spending a lot of time trying to make it work It wouldn't do anything but I slowly went through a previous video that you made on the this model and it's working now. I now have two problems . 1 the coupler on the spindle motor axis keeps jumping out when I home the machine. 2 the Y+ and Y- work the wrong way round. If you could Please help that would be great. Tried getting in touch with Sainsmart about these problems nothing yet.

[@techydiy]

Q2: You need to change the $3 direction port invert mask setting github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Configuration#3--direction-port-invert-mask To find the current value, type $$ into the console Look at the table in the webpage above, workout the new value. Type $3= New Value in the console. I think I covered this in the second part of the PROVer video (not this one)

[@techydiy]

Q1: the coupler on the spindle motor axis keeps jumping out when I home the machine. I am not sure what you mean by this. Is the limit switch working ?

[@davidalan6701]

Have you made the design/files available for your dust collector? I've been struggling with dust collection on mine.

[@techydiy]

www.techydiy.org/3018-prover-cnc-dust-boot/

[@davidalan6701]

@@techydiy awesome! Thank you!!!

[@joanS12]

subscribed! thank you so much for these reviews. i have so far seen the 4030 and 3018 from your channel. i am looking for a cnc able to cut 3mm sheet of copper. (in many passes of course) do you think the 3018 with this small motor would handle it? or should i go directly with the 4030 wich is much more expensive? it seems i could upgrade the 3018 with 500w motor but im not sure the frame is strong enough...

[@techydiy]

You can cut copper sheet, the trade off is time. I cut copper sheet in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6fEcqeep6-Eo5I with a 3020 pro max. The proverxl is a much more capable machine, if you have the budget and the space, then that is what I would recommend.

[@flighttherapybullisticfpv133]

So can the PROVer Mach3 version be modded to use a laser at all? Or do you have to go with the non-pro bakelite version to get laser functionality? Great review btw, this helped alot!

[@techydiy]

It doesn't have a laser port. Its quite difficult to make the laser work with mach3. The grbl based PROVer has a laser option and it works well.

[@youcamilo1]

How come there are 2 extra axis plug-ins available on the control board? Is it suggesting you could have the option down the road to add 2 more axis like a spindle that could cut at a diagonal left/right as 1 axis and diagonal front/back another 1 axis.

[@techydiy]

Usually rotary

[@hossrod]

Sorry if I missed it, but what are all the differences between this one and the plain "PROVer" I saw in other video of yours? For example, you said this one uses injection molded ABS parts but the regular PROVer uses 3D printed parts. Thanks!

[@techydiy]

They are both the same, all the same parts, except for the controller PCB.

[@bobf3598]

If the Genmitsu Mach3 Control Board for 3018-PROver is now discontinued, what replacement is there now just incase the inevitable happens, blue smoke or other disaster etc.??

[@techydiy]

Get a grbl board I guess

[@tazanteflight8670]

Im confused. How can you use the GRBL post processor on a Mach3 machine?

[@techydiy]

The gcode is pretty much the same

[@domenicoavizzano8841]

Hi! Can I use with this machine even wood A3 (30x42cm) further A4? It would be possible? Thank you! D.

[@youcamilo1]

Hello thank you for your videos, they are super helpful. Does this version not support a laser engraver module then? Just to make sure I understand this correct, after installing a spoiled board You would lose the Thickness of it in the z axis cutting ability? If I wanted to make A few pairs of dice to play a game, how accurate would you guess I couldn’t get it to align On the same dice for each time I cut a face (six sided dice, so six times)? I’m thinking I would make some type of template board that the dice would sit in, so they would be in the same location every time.

[@techydiy]

No laser. The normal prover version supports a laser. If you use a spoilboard you might lose some cutting depth. I am sure it is accurate enough for the dice

[@youcamilo1]

@@techydiy Thank You techydiy, this seems like a perfect budget CNC for me being that I know nothing about writing code. I look forward to seeing any mods you do in the future. I wish they could figure out a laser module for this down the road.

[@benjaminschmolck2398]

Hi! Does anyone know if I can use this CNC with MacOS, too? Will I be able to use the same software or are there any third party softwares I can use? Thank you!

[@heeder777]

I run Mach 3 on my mill but candle on my ProVer. Did you find Mach 3 performs better or more specifically with better precision or better detail?

[@techydiy]

No. The soft limits work better and a few of the tools are useful but that's about it

[@wonderfulmystical4316]

Hey! Awesome video! Keep it up! I am very jealous of your dust shoe though. Do you have the files to share with us? I'd love to add that to mine as well :)

[@techydiy]

www.techydiy.org/3018-prover-cnc-dust-boot/

[@kenparsons1396]

Do you think I could disconnect the spindle cable and use it as a diamond scribe?

[@techydiy]

Yes

[@chriskwakernaat2328]

are there bearings on both sides of the leadscrew on the gantry? or is it like the standard 3018 with one sided bearing ?And as a beginner ,which 3018 version would you recommend?( for carving/milling)

[@techydiy]

Bearing one side, stepper motor the other side. Depends if the additional features are worth it to you. Limit switches are fairly essential when your starting out. Probe is useful. The external controller avoids the need for a pc or laptop to be tied up for hours. You can add all these things, its just whether you can be bothered.

[@Falney]

It boggles my mind that they would upgrade the frame but keep the linear rods instead of upgrading them. More backlash on these machines come from using rods. Especially on the bed.

[@techydiy]

Cost and people’s budget, it’s as simple as that. Add linear rails / supported rods and the cost goes up. Add ballscrews, the cost goes up. Add a stiffer frame the cost goes up. Add a more powerful spindle, the cost goes up.

[@Falney]

@@techydiy yeah, but rails would have been cheaper than the frame and are a more important upgrade imo.

[@kennel1952]

I have one . too .

[@robmolenaar340]

Hi, Great videos! Is the Mach3 software worth it? You did the programming bit in Carbide Create. Can you then use that directly on the the ProVer Mini? Thanks.

[@techydiy]

If you are used to using mach3 or already have a licence then it makes sense. It has features like edge finding and it is very configurable. For a lot of people a grbl based machine is all they need. Creating the gcode is a separate process. You can use carbidecreate with the pretty much any cnc machine.

[@robmolenaar340]

@@techydiy Thanks.

[@karlgustafson7850]

Do you think this would be able to engrave brass sheet for watch dials?

[@techydiy]

Yes

[@ecarvey1]

Great vidios can you tell me were to get the software bundle for the Pro ver mx3? I puchased the grbl version but i got the mx3 board and would like to fin the software I looked on sainsmart but did not find it. Hope you can help.

[@techydiy]

Mac3 www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/ For the other software you would have to ask Sainsmart support for the link

[@pedrocrespomira4693]

Can this machine operate with lower rpm like 4000 ou 5000 rpm for example or only works with 10000?

[@techydiy]

It has spindle speed control

[@Jpifr]

Hi, is it possible to upgrade this one with a bigger frame ? I need to make 3200mm by 150mm by 8mm parts...

[@techydiy]

If you need a bigger frame then you really should start with a bigger frame. You can tile in the y direction to make longer parts

[@Vocu]

I just ordered one of these, I love the shop vac modification, do you happen to sell those or the files to make it?

[@techydiy]

You can find the link to the files in the video description

[@Vocu]

@@techydiy oh i see it now, thanks

[@paullepper2648]

Great video! What is your opinion of DrufelCNC as opposed to either Mach3 or GRBL?

[@techydiy]

It works ok, but you either need mach 3 or you don't. If not go the grbl route

[@comm1508]

Hi I purchased one of these and use the Drufelcnc with Easel to write the code works very well. Could not get Mach3 to work or candle just would not connect to the machine.

[@spanier2011]

Hi, I have a problem with Carbide Create. If I select pocket for the text, than Carbide crashes. I use Windows 10 on different notebooks and also Windows 7 in a virtual box. On all these Computers crashes Carbide. Is there a solution for that?

[@techydiy]

Works fine for me, report it to them, they appear to be quite responsive.

[@Berghiker]

Does this work with gerber files and Flatcam software? How much is the software licence?

[@techydiy]

Yes it will work with flatcam. However, to successfully mill pcbs, you need auto levelling / height mapping and that doesn't work well on this machine. I would suggest that you look at grbl 1.1 based machines like the one in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIWblalnesahptU I also showed some of the pcb milling software options in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3iYc4R_aM1pe80

[@arthurdent8091]

Hi, you say that the 3018 has an MPG socket, to my eyes, it looks like a DB-15 connector, if this is so please advise me because it opens a possibility to me and maybe to anyone else with a 3018. Thanks.

[@techydiy]

Yes the mpg socket is presented on a db15 connector. The pinout is in the controller manual. It's not a serial port.

[@JohnColgan.]

You can purchase a much improved offline controller or jog control medallion for this controller that used that port, they are specific to this type of control box only and not cheeper Arduino/Grbl control boards.

[@staszoo]

I just purchased this. Is there a post file that comes with it? For example, can I use Gibbscam to write basic programs for this?

[@staszoo]

I can post .nc files , but it’s set up for Haas

[@techydiy]

No, You would need to find a post for mach3. But most basic gcode output is going to be ok

[@Britineeng]

Can this machine cut metals?

[@techydiy]

Soft metals slowly

[@Britineeng]

@@techydiy what settings you recommend…thanks

[@Gr8Success]

a desktop cnc its a nice thought but god damn this things are messy and noisy ... the noise prevents me from getting one

[@mertcapkin7263]

tool diameter 0.01mm? Seems incorrect

[@mertcapkin7263]

@@techydiy it's also what you put in the programme as tool diameter. 0.1mm still seems to small to me though. Or maybe I am misunderstandig the setting.

[@techydiy]

@@mertcapkin7263 give me a time in the video and I will have a look

[@mertcapkin7263]

@@techydiy from 26:20 onwards

[@techydiy]

Ok, the real tool diameter is 22mm but if I put that in the settings then it wouldn't cut right up to the corner edge, so I put in a small value Instead and use the larger bit. I then change the stepover value manually. If your using more complex cam software then there are other ways of doing it.

[@frankhovis]

Bakelite ?

[@henrique31888]

o vilela não deixa o cara falar... deixa o convidado se expressar e terminar a linha de raciocínio

[@CyrusBrinkworthRAS]

y a t'il des Français qui l'ont reçue? well I ask anyway, coses it is like "not allowed in 'France' to do things". I did china once, and never seen anything back!

[@MdSalim-dv4cy]

CNC machine rupees

[@wood4me]

G'day mate. Sorry but you are fitting the collet the wrong way. It should fit thin end in first. Cheers.

[@techydiy]

I fitted the collet correctly. They snap into the nut.