CNC4Newbie C4N4836TK

About the Machine

The C4N4836TK, CNC4Newbie's most popular size, has a 50 x 38 x 6 in work area (60 x 48 x 22 in footprint), 12mm diameter leadscrew drive (12mm per turn) on X, Y, and Z with square linear bearings and an adjustable brass anti-backlash system, and comes as a turnkey kit with a UCcnc/GeckoDrive controller, leg kit, and router mount included. Spindle or router is not included; mount options run from a 65mm Makita RT0701C up to an 89mm 3.5in spindle.

Cut Settings on this Machine

Every cut starts with one formula: Feed Rate = Spindle Speed (RPM) x Chip Load x Number of Cutting Edges (flutes). Chip load is the thickness of material each cutting edge removes in one revolution of the bit. This number comes from the manufacturer of the bit, which publishes a chip-load chart for each bit diameter and material. Look up your exact bit and material, start from the middle of the published range, and you have the third number in the formula. The chart below shows the recommended spindle speed for each material and bit type.

The C4N4836TK ships without a spindle, so its top RPM depends on whatever router or spindle you mount, check that unit's own rating plate against the chart rather than assuming a number. Its 12mm leadscrew drive on all three axes with square linear bearings and an adjustable anti-backlash system is solid for a hobby-to-prosumer kit, but a leadscrew frame is still lighter duty than a ball-screw or rack-and-pinion machine. A truly rigid machine with a powerful spindle can cut as deep as the bit is wide in a single pass, but that takes real spindle torque, a drive train and clamps that hold firm, a gantry that will not flex, and enough mass to soak up vibration. The C4N4836TK falls short of that bar, so take shallower passes. Push too deep and the bit deflects and chatters, leaving scalloped edges, or it rubs instead of cutting and burns the material. The fastest way to dial in a cut is to see what has already worked for other people.

Worked example for feed rate: 1/8in (3.175mm) two-flute solid carbide end mill in hard wood. The chart says 16,000 RPM. This machine ships without a spindle, so check the RPM rating on whatever you mount and use its actual number if it differs from 16,000. With the bit maker's 0.025mm per tooth (0.0010 in), at 16,000 RPM: 16,000 x 0.025 x 2 = 800 mm/min (31 in/min) feed. For depth per pass, start shallow and check Community Cut Settings in Easel for what works on this machine. If the cut sounds strained, reduce the depth, not the feed. Slowing the feed below the chip load makes the bit rub instead of cut.

Community Cut Settings shows the spindle speed, feed rate, and depth per pass other makers actually run for your machine, material, and bit.