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Unbox, Setup and First Cuts with Genmitsu CNC Router Machine 4040-PRO

January 26, 2024
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Unbox, Setup and First Cuts with Genmitsu CNC Router Machine 4040-PRO
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I resisted CNC (Computer Numerical Control) for a long time. "It's not real woodworking!" I said, while using my electric table saw and digital calipers. But curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to be able to carve logos, make precise inlays, and replicate parts perfectly.

I picked up the Genmitsu 4040-PRO. It’s a "desktop" CNC, meaning it fits on a workbench, but the 4040 size (40cm x 40cm) is big enough to do real work, unlike the tiny 3018 machines.

Unboxing & Assembly

It arrived in a surprisingly small box.

  • Frame: Solid aluminum extrusions. It feels rigid, not flimsy.
  • Drive System: Lead screws (not belts!). This is huge. Belts stretch; screws are precise.
  • Assembly Time: roughly 2.5 hours. It’s like a complex LEGO set. The instructions were actually readable English, which is rare for these machines.

The Learning Curve (Software)

The machine is the easy part. The software is where you cry. You need two things:

  1. CAD/CAM (Design): I used Carbide Create (Free version). You draw your shape and tell it which bit to use. It generates "G-Code" (a text file of coordinates).
  2. Sender (Control): I used Candle (included). This software takes the G-Code and sends it to the machine.

My First Mistake: I didn't "Zero" the Z-axis properly. The machine thought the wood was 1 inch lower than it was. It plunged the bit into the wood at full speed and sounded like a dyingbanshee. Lesson: Always "air cut" (run the program 2 inches above the wood) first to verify!

Performance Test

I carved a sign out of hard Maple.

  • The Spindle: The stock motor is quiet but weak. You have to take shallow bites.
  • Accuracy: Incredible. The lettering was crisp. The circles were perfectly round.
  • Speed: Slow. It took 45 minutes to carve a 6-inch sign. But I didn't have to do it—the robot did. I drank coffee.

Conclusion: Is it "Cheating"?

No. It's just a different tool. You still have to sand, finish, and design. The 4040-PRO is the perfect "Gateway Drug" into CNC. It’s affordable (~$500), rigid enough for wood (and soft aluminum), and teaches you the fundamentals of G-Code without risking a $10,000 professional machine.

If you are a tinkerer who likes tech + wood, you need one.