How to Choose the Right CNC Router for Your Workshop

The answer depends on the size of material you work with most. If you frequently machine 8×4 sheet goods, a 1325-sized machine (1300×2500) is the practical minimum — anything smaller will force you to cut sheets down before machining, slowing workflow and adding frustration. If you offer kitchens, built-ins or commercial fit-outs, stepping up to a 1530 or even 2030 bed makes life easier, giving you extra margins, overhang space, and more comfortable nesting. A CNC should accommodate your material, not the other way around. And remember — people rarely regret going slightly bigger, but they often regret going smaller.

More spindle power isn’t about speed — it’s about cutting without strain. A stronger spindle handles denser materials, larger tools and deeper passes with less heat and less wear. If you’re mainly cutting MDF or plywood, a standard spindle may work well. However, if hardwood, large-scale joinery, thick composite boards or higher-volume production is on the cards, you’ll appreciate extra kW every single day. An underpowered spindle will still do the job, but it will work harder, heat faster, blunt tooling sooner and slow cutting speeds when things get heavy.

It depends on how often you change tools. Manual tool change machines are perfect for low-volume users, prototyping, hobby work or single-bit jobs. But the moment you run multi-stage programs regularly — pocketing → profiling → engraving → chamfering — an ATC becomes more than convenience. It becomes productivity. ATC removes the need for stopping the machine, loosening collets, resetting lengths and restarting cycles. It keeps momentum. Manual works when time is flexible. ATC works when production matters.

If you’re machining full sheets, the answer is almost always yes. A vacuum bed dramatically speeds up loading, alignment and part holding — but it only performs well if the spoilboard is skimmed flat, dust is cleared, and unused zones are sealed. Vacuum strength also varies depending on part size and material porosity, meaning some jobs will still benefit from tabs, onion skinning or tape-and-glue methods. Vacuum isn’t magic — but when looked after, it makes CNC machining faster, cleaner and much more controlled.

The machine is the muscle, but the software is the brain — and without confidence in toolpaths, even the best machine can produce poor results. Learning VCarve, Aspire or Fusion properly will make more difference to cut quality than upgrading any physical component. Operators who spend time mastering toolpath strategy, lead-ins, ramping, finishing passes and nesting often outperform machines twice the price. Software skill isn’t a bonus — it’s the multiplier.

More than most people expect. Good extraction keeps heat down, preserves edge quality, prevents buildup on rails, protects electronics and keeps your workshop clean and breathable. Poor dust management leads to charring, rough edges, clogged flutes and accelerated wear. Power requirements matter just as much — especially when running larger spindles or vacuum pumps. Planning electrics and extraction early makes installation smooth and operation reliable. Many issues blamed on the machine actually stem from airflow or power supply.

Think two or three years ahead. If your product range grows, materials change, or order volume increases, will your machine keep up? Consider whether you’ll later wish you had ATC, extra bed size, stronger vacuum, or more spindle power. Buying a CNC isn’t like buying a printer — it’s a long-term production asset. The right machine should support where your business is going, not just what it’s doing today.