This 5-axis CNC router could soon be an open source tool. [Mike Calvino] built it for the School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas. It can be used as a router or as a plasma cutter/weld… ...

Featuring large extruded aluminium rails and fully supported Y-axis the CNC router has 1/4″ steel gantries on all axes, and high precision MG-12 type linear guides on the Z-axis.

The Compass CNC features a compact core-XY gantry that moves the router only a few inches in each direction, along with Z-axis control to set the router’s depth.

Visit www.powermatic.com for more information and to locate the nearest dealer for the Powermatic PM-2X2RK CNC Router (1797022K, $5,719.99) and Powermatic PM-2X4SPK CNC Router (1797024K, $8,499.99).

The router spins a cutting bit at up to 25,000 rpm. CNC stands for computer numerically controlled and those numbers, the zeros and ones, are the programming needed to direct the cutter.

A CNC Router is an incredibly useful tool for woodworkers of any level, but they can quickly get expensive. Here's why you should avoid buying a used one.

For a certain kind of handy geek, the journey is way more fun than the destination. That’s why Patrick Hood-Daniel, founder of buildyourcnc.com and author of the DIY CNC bible Build Your CNC ...