Genmitsu 4040 Reno

I have been doing both woodworking and CAD (though in separate fields) for over 40 years but never combined the interests until a relative recently asked for a keepsake box with a design that would have pressed my hand-carving skills. What an excuse to finally buy a CNC router! After researching options, I settled on the Reno since Genmitsu/Sainsmart has a good reputation, the Reno has a decent working area (400x400mm), and the price wasn't so steep that if I decided CNC machining wasn't for me, it wouldn't hurt so much to not use it. But I like it so much that I want to do more!The Pros: the machine is packed well and assembly is not hard, though I recommend watching the YouTube videos out there since the instructions leave much to be desired at times. The workmanship is also excellent, everything fits just right and is designed intuitively. The spindle does a lot for being a teeny little thing (I am used to my hefty handheld or router table Bosch tools). I also like that Genmitsu has a great array of bits that are excellent, reasonably priced, and available on Amazon. As much as I like the beautiful and top-notch tools you can buy online, getting things in a few days through Amazon with free shipping rocks!Doing a complex carve with multiple bits like the ones shown in the photos was easy (hint: write the machine coordinates for the model origin in the corner of your to guarantee precision). Sending the Gcode from my CAD software was easy using the recently released Reno WiFi module. Another hint - you can mount the WiFi module directly on the motherboard, there is no need to use the cables they supply. All that the cables give you is the ability to see the blue LED when connected, but you will know if your WiFi is connected or not if you cannot talk to the router, and the circuit won't be as exposed to shop dust.Nits: I have two, but are not deal breakers. One is the dust collection - the shoe offered cannot be used without trimming the bristles, lest they get tangled easily in the bit with disastrous results (I still haven't found all the parts after it exploded). I built an enclosure to help manage dust collection, but a better-designed shoe that works even when cutting at 20mm depth would be a great improvement. The other nit is this is a belt-driven machine (The horror! The horror!). I haven't had real issues with this, but the lack of direction for how to tighten the belts - and indicating what is too loose or too tight - is missing. Since they know how to do it at the factory, what is so hard about adding that information to the installation guide (or to the missing maintenance guide)?Their support fills the gap in the documentation - you will get a response in 24 hours and the support group has provided me with the missing guidance. Genmitu also should consider using more English-speaking copy editors for their products destined for English-speaking markets. For example, my spoil board bed has a label that is "ourside" instead of "outside" - simple little things. But speaking only skoshii Nihongo and virtually no Chinese at all, I respect the challenges and effort needed for multilingual product support.Bottom line? The Genmitsu Reno is good and makes me want to expand my CNC capability. I can see needing a larger, more powerful spindle and a larger bed. This probably means a larger CNC machine, but the Reno could remain the workhorse for smaller pieces. It's a great machine for either a serious woodworker to get started with CNC, or for an enthusiastic hobbyist to up their game many, many notches. It pains me to think the work I've done in the past by hand is now so easy for someone with less experience, scars, and missing digits to do faster and better, but that is progress!

I have about a years experience with a larger, more expensive CNC. This one is portable and fit our needs for wintering in the South. There are some weird things with it. It comes with a design software called Candle and another software to send the G code to the machine from your PC. I didn't like either of the software apps. If you design something in Candle (Or any other app) you have to generate the G-code, save it to your PC and then close the design app. Otherwise, you can't connect to the machine to run the program. Genmitsu is aware of this issue. Fortunately, the machine will run with the Easel program and with G-sender, which are much more user friendly. You still have to close Easel after creating your design, in order to connect to the machine. One of the quirks I found was, if you "pause" a cut in the middle, normally you can start back from the line you left off. In this case, you can do that but, you have to start the spindle manually, then resume the cut. When I do this, the machine returns to the last line and, just before the bit touches the wood, the spindle will turn off and then, stab the bit into the wood and break it off. I could not find why it turned the spindle off and, I couldn't find a way to write an M3 code into the lines to keep it on. So, you need to start the cut all over from the beginning. Fun! Finally, for a belt driven cnc, I find that it runs smooth and is accurate. We made Christmas ornaments on acrylic this month and were satisfied with the outcome. I have ordered and received the larger attachment bracket to use a trim router with this cnc, and a dust shoe. I don't have them installed yet. All in all, if you don't quit from frustration, you'll have a nice little portable machine that works well.

If you are a beginner like me, this is the CNC machine you are looking for that comes with excellent support team to get you started. The first thing I notice is how well all the parts are packaged and boxed and well identified for easy assembly. I'm a hobby diy self taught woodworker and no professional and I was able to assemble this machine in a little bit over an hour taking my time. The instructions is clear and if you need help there’s a few YouTube videos to help you out. The machine itself looks very attractive nice color with a clean design it looks very nice and sturdy. I love that it comes with bits and a poster with bits information. The spindle that it comes with it is real smooth doesn’t make that much noise but you will need a dust shoot cause it spits out lots of shavings. To get started on your first job is important to understand that there’s a learning curve and you need a lot of patience. Trust me I did. cause I don’t know anything about CNC so I watched youtube videos to get educated and joined Facebook groups which is a lot of help and like I said SainSmart is there if you ever need help, they are good at that. Some times you need to wait cause of the time difference so be patient with them they will answer.Once you up and running you will love this machine. I went with the Easel software since is an all in one software It works well. (This cnc does come with a flash drive with what you need to get you started.)I was surprised how easy it was cause I was intimidated with the software so don’t be.The CNC itself is smooth for what Im using it for. Im learning to engrave names and signs. What I like about this CNC that it has the ability to be able to change to a palm router or laser module and that is sweet something I’m thinking about. So if you like me go for it you won’t be disappointed trust me this is the cnc for you.

once I opened the package, I found some screws in the box without any clue of where it came from and also, I didn't find that offline control