Welcome to BobsCNC E3 Review!
The BobsCNC E3 is one of the best home CNC machines that is great for someone who isn’t ready to invest in pricier Router Engraver Kit. It’s the most trusted and praised home built engraver kit by customers today.
The sturdy platform, along with the reliable router that comes with the unit will make your engraving and cutting wooden DIY project less challenging. BobsCNC E3 CNC Router takes engraving and cutting work to the next level. The ergonomics and performance of this unit are unparalleled to most of the CNC unit of its class.
This router comes with specs that meet the needs of amateur users and professionals alike. It’s a perfect engraver kit for both soft and hardwood projects. Moreover, it’s very lightweight that makes it portable and the right choice for small shop owners. It comes with as a complete set that comes with electronics, software, controller, power supply and a milling motor.
So, are you interested to learn more about this best DIY CNC router kits?
Check out our BobsCNC E3 CNC router engraver kit review below to determine whether it’s the CNC router you’re looking for.
About the Brand
BobsCNC is a famous brand name among the woodworkers, hobbyist and craft enthusiasts. Their CNC router kits are highly appraised in the market community for their high-quality components and excellent customer support.
Based in Missouri, BobsCNC is an all-American manufacturer of CNC router kits.Summary
Top Features at a Glance
Specifications
Features and Benefits
Laser Cut Plywood Frame
One of the best features of the BobsCNC E3 is its laser cut frame from Baltic Birch plywood. For those who don't know Baltic Birch plywood is a very durable material often used for making furniture. This rigid frame can hold multiple objects with ease.
Additionally, the solid wood construction makes the unit eco-friendly. Moreover, this construction makes it easy to work with for the users who like to modify the router. In fact, this rigid plywood frame helps to increase not only its durability and stability but also performance.
SG20U Supported Rail System & Software Choices
Another great aspect of the E3 is its wide range of compatibility. The cutting head and gantry of E3 router run on the popular rail system that support SG20U with a GT2 belt drive (on the X and Y axes). What’s more, there is a 5/16 to 5/18 brass nut (dual)on the Z-axis.
There is a good option to choose from several software to run the unit. Most of these software are free to open source. Its DW660 router is easy to control by an Arduino-based microprocessor. It's simple to connect through the USB port to make its operation easier. Additionally, you can run it on Linux, Windows, Raspberry Pi and OSX.
DW660 router included
BobsCNC E3 comes with DEWALT router, which is undoubtedly a right choice for performing CNC work. It features a 5apeeres motor that can run up to 30,000 RPM with no load. This power is considerably larger than any traditional CNC router.
The DW660 has collection ports of ¼- and 1/8-inch. Additionally, there is a spindle lock, so the bits are very easy to change.
The router weighs only 3.2 pounds. What's more, in the mounted position, the router's gantry height becomes 3.3-inch. Of course, its bump-off, turn-on power switch is sealed against dust damage that enhances the performances.
The motor is powerful enough to cut through harder materials like butter when the right cutting tool is employed.
Large Work Space, Cuts Thick Materials
This bad boy offers a generous cutting area: 450mm (17.7-in.) x 390mm (15.3 in.)x 85 mm (3.3 in.) on X, Y and Z axes respectively. This working space can easily accommodate soft and hard materials of diverse size. Furthermore, it's able to cut up to 3.3-inch thick stock of various composite woods and hardwoods.
Lightweight And Portable
BobsCNC E3 is one of the best portable tabletop CNC routers. Its assembles dimension is 25 x 25x 19- inch that means you can set up it easily along with the computer and other accessories on your work table.
What's more, the assembles weight is only 26 pounds which makes the unit extremely lightweight and portable compared to other CNC machines of its class.
Assembling
Assembling of E3 CNC kit is relatively easy as long as you properly follow the provided installation instructions. Besides, it'll also be a good experience for the people who are just starter in the field of carving, even with the added effort.
In case, you face any problem, BobsCNC has an excellent support team to help you regarding any issue concerning BobsCNC E3 troubleshooting or installation. However, you can easily access and download the software and its instruction manual at the manufacturer's website.
Price
BobsCNC E3 Router Engraver Kit is the best CNC router for the money.
When we're testing this wood carving router machine, we've found that it has almost all the basic and useful features that a starter CNC machine need to have. But amazingly it comes with an affordable price tag. In short, considering all its features, advantages (and of course shortcomings), the price is reasonable compared to other models on the market.
General User Experience
The BobsCNC E3 has certainly gained a lot of attention over recent years.
But most importantly, what do the users of the E3 have to say?
According to the customers' reviews available online, the majority of buyers seem to be positive and happy with what this CNC machine has to offer.
BobsCNC E3 holds a respectable average rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 bases on approximately 128 customer reviews at the time of writing.
However, a very few users report that precision suffers if the workpiece wouldn't align properly with the Z-axis shaft. Some of the users also have faced problems with the software control system.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Considering the design, workspace, performance, the inclusion of the milling motor and the price, the BobsCNC E3 router is one of the best desktop CNC routers and DIY CNC router kits.
If you’re a DIYer or professional alike who is looking for the best CNC machines for woodworking, then the E3 is the right product for you.
Hope, this BobsCNC E3 Review has helped you a lot to pick this magnificent and best hobby CNC router in 2019.
Good luck on your next wood carving Bobs CNC projects!Related Articles
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Can it carve and cut marble?
Hi Wilian,
BOBs CNC E3 is a reasonable option that is mainly meant for thicker materials like hardwood and composite woods. It’s not suitable for cutting marble, unfortunately.
I am helping my friend get his setup. The assembly was easy. Getting the machine to work, not so easy. The instructions on the website are dated. My friends laptop runs the mist current version of windows. The software shows older versions of windows and the verifications don’t match new windows. I am still working to get it running….
Hello,
You should contact the seller to find an appropriate solution.
Thank you
Can the E3 or E4 be operated via a Macintosh computer?
Yes, you can!