If you’re in the market for a new or used CNC router machine or table kit, you may be interested in knowing how much it costs.
According to data from Amazon, Chovm, AliExpress, eBay, and STYLECNC, the average price of a CNC router in 2022 is $6,312 with an average payment of $526 per month. In addition to the sticker price and payments, there are also the costs for additional accessories, shipping costs, tax rates, customs, and other expenses to be considered.
The final price will also depend on make and type, so, let’s figure out how much you’ll really spend on your new CNC routers.
Table of Contents
How to Determine the Total Cost of a CNC Router
New vs. Used CNC Router Costs
Relevant Questions
How to Determine the Total Cost of a CNC Router
Consider averages
The below table shows how much a new CNC router costs to own, including additional costs like router bits, automatic tool changers, dust collectors, rotary attachments, and software, as according to market data:
| Average new CNC router cost | ||
| New CNC router category | Average total cost | Average transaction price |
| Hobby CNC router | $2,768 | $2,980 |
| CNC wood router | $5,980 | $6,860 |
| CNC metal router | $6,708 | $7,158 |
| CNC stone router | $5,762 | $5,981 |
| CNC nesting router | $8,821 | $9,622 |
| 3 axis types | $3,689 | $3,867 |
| 4th axis (rotary axis) types | $5,280 | $5,765 |
| 4 axis types | $9,789 | $10,282 |
| 5 axis types | $12,098 | $12,735 |
| ATC types with tool changer | $10,129 | $10,896 |
Breakdown of total cost
The total cost is based on your CNC router’s table kits, spindle kits, controller, software, as well as the additional accessories, shipping costs, tax rates, customs, service, and care and maintenance costs. Some of these costs are unavoidable, like those for the core components. However, others are optional add-ons, such as the router bits.
Table kits
The average cost for a CNC router table is about $3980, when looking at the following table sizes: 2′ x 2′, 2′ x 3′, 2′ x 4′, 4′ x 4′, 4′ x 6′, 4′ x 8′, 5′ x 10′, and 6′ x 12′. Cast iron bed frames are stable but more expensive than welded steel bed frames. Vacuum tables, meanwhile, cost about $1000 more than T-slot tables.
Spindle kits
The spindle is the main component of any CNC machine. These can be purchased as high-speed motorized spindles, air-cooled spindles, and water-cooled spindles. Well-known spindle brands include HSD, HSK, HQD, Makita, DeWalt, and Bosch. Different spindle motor powers have different routing speeds, with each used for different materials. The price of a spindle depends on its brand and power.
Controller
The most commonly used CNC controllers include DSP, Mach3, Mach4, LNC, NcStudio, Syntec, OSAI, Siemens, and FANUC. The DSP is a handheld controller that comes with limited ability but low cost. The others consist in CNC controllers with computer control systems, meaning they are more adaptable. These CNC control systems come in the more expensive original versions as well as free pirated versions, meaning that the price can vary. The version you can use will depend on your local laws.
Software
There are many types of CAD/CAM software on the market, including Type3, ArtCAM, Cabinet Vision, CorelDraw, Solidworks, UG, MeshCAM, UcanCAM, AlphaCAM, MasterCAM, PowerMILL, CASmate, Fusion360, Alibre, Aspire, Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, and Rhinoceros 3D. Most of these are paid software compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, and which can cost from $1,000 up to $10,000. There are also some free options, although these have limited functionality. You can choose which best suits you based on your budget and needs.
Additional accessories
The additional accessories include router bits, automatic tool changers, 4th axis for rotary carving & cutting, dust collectors for woodworking, water tanks for stone and glass, and vacuum tables for adsorption.
- Router bits can cost from $8 to $268, depending on the power needed to cut or mill the different materials.
- Automatic tool changer spindle kits cost about $1,500.
- The cost of a 4th rotary axis starts from $980.
- An additional water tank is usually priced from $780.
- The average cost, based on a range of sizes, for a vacuum table is about $1,200.
Care & Maintenance
The average care & maintenance cost for a new CNC router that runs 10 hours per day is about $200 per month. This cost includes the maintenance of spindles, motors, guides, ball screws, and tool replacement.
Service
Most CNC router manufacturers offer free services and support for the duration of the warranty period, which is usually 1 to 3 years. If the warranty expires, there will be additional fees. However, you can pay a fee to extend or upgrade the warranty, which will vary depending on the specific manufacturers, suppliers, or dealers.
New vs. Used CNC Router Costs
Used or secondhand CNC routers cost less to buy. Market data shows that customers pay an average of $7,836 for new CNC routers but only $2,132 for used CNC routers. However, used CNC machines generally have higher repair and maintenance costs due to breakdowns and a diminishing warranty time. This is the trade-off that is unavoidable when saving on the initial cost, and one that should be considered when deciding whether to buy a new or used CNC router.
Relevant Questions
How much does it cost to DIY a CNC router?
The cost of a DIY CNC router kit start at around $796, with this including everything needed for beginners with simple needs. However, this cost can reach as high as $5,600 for those needing the highest configurations. The exact price will depend on the table size, the spindle brand, the overall power, CNC controller, and any add-ons needed.
How much does it cost to ship a CNC router?
In 2022, the average cost to ship a CNC router has been about $2,000 when shipping by international ocean freight and about $3,000 when sending by air or by international express logistics companies, such as FEDEX, DHL, and UPS. However, it should be noted that the global shipping costs have been fluctuating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How much do router bits cost?
The cost of a router bit starts at around $8. However, you should expect to spend between $80 and $160 on router bits every month based on the quality of the tools and the workload.
Is buying a CNC router worth it?
When buying a used or new CNC router, it’s easy to overlook the total cost of ownership. If you require a CNC router for your hobby, it may be best to purchase a DIY kit or a good budget small desktop CNC router kit. If you need it for work, buy the right industrial CNC router machine for commercial use based on your manufacturing plan. If the right CNC router for you is out of your budget, you may need to consider other alternatives to reduce the cost of your work.
Source from stylecnc.com
Disclaimer: The information set forth above is provided by stylecnc independentiy of Chovm.com. Chovm.com makes no representation and warranties as to the quality and reliability of the seller andproducts.
