Genmitsu 4040-Pro CNC Upgrade Unbox and Test Cut: Enhanced XY-Axis & 710W Compact Router ASMR | #50
Stop Wasting Wood
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My Genmitsu CNC is great, but the stock spindle motor is... cute. It's a small DC motor. It struggles with deep cuts in Oak. It stalls if you look at it wrong.
The Solution: Replace the toy motor with a Makita 701C Trim Router. The Makita is a beast. 1.25 Horsepower. Impact resistant.
The Bracket Problem
The stock mount holds a 52mm motor. The Makita is 65mm.
- The Upgrade Part: I bought the Genmitsu 65mm Aluminum Spindle Mount. It’s a solid chunk of blue anodized aluminum.
Installation
- Removal: I unbolted the old Z-axis carriage.
- Mounting: The new mount bolted right on (perfect fit).
- The Router: The Makita slid in perfectly.
- Wiring: The stock motor was controlled by the CNC board (on/off). The Makita plugs into the wall.
- Downside: I have to manually turn the router on before I hit "Run" on the computer.
- Upside: UNLIMITED POWER.
The Difference
I ran the same program (cutting a coaster out of Walnut).
- Old Motor: 10 inches per minute feed rate. 1mm depth of cut. (Time: 20 mins).
- Makita: 60 inches per minute feed rate. 3mm depth of cut. (Time: 3 mins).
It tore through the walnut like it was foam. The finish quality was better too, because the Makita RPM is more consistent.
Conclusion
If you buy a desktop CNC, the weak point is always the spindle. For $100 (Router) + $30 (Mount), this upgrade turned a hobby toy into a production machine. I can now cut aluminum details and hard maple without fear.