Welcome to SheetCNC.co.uk – home of the SheetCNC machine.

Update 2024: SheetCNC kits may become available later this year from a new kit-producer. We’ll update this page, as soon as we know more.

SheetCNC is all about CNC’ing timber on a shoestring. We freely admit this isn’t the best flat-bed machine on the market. Our design brief was to create a seriously affordable machine, even if that meant some compromises. SheetCNC was our answer to the question:  “Just how little do I need to spend, to get an 8×4 CNC in my own shed?”

We’ve designed this light-duty large-format 3-axis CNC router from scratch. Apart from the spindle, it uses virtually no components that are specifically (and expensively) engineered for CNC machines. No linear rails, no long leadscrews or racks. It’s built from MDF and steel, mounted on a plywood frame, all to keep costs to a minimum. It’s not perfect, it has limitations on how deep and how fast and how accurately it can cut, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a useful workhorse.

SheetCNC is available only as a kit. The mechanics of the machine can be assembled from the kit by any competent DIYer in a weekend. Then you’ll need to add a water-cooled spindle and a s/h PC to control it and you’ll have a complete, ready-for-work, large-format water-cooled CNC router in your own shed.

Kit production has now been licensed to UK-DIYcnc who have sole license to build and sell SheetCNC kits. They’ve added a 4×4 machine, identically engineered, as an option.

How well does SheetCNC perform, realistically? Here are some of the things that we use SheetCNC for…

  • Every SheetCNC kit ever made has been cut on a SheetCNC machine. Workpieces are 8×4 sheets of 25mm plywood and 25mm MDF.
  • Every PhieldBug produced to date has been cut on a SheetCNC machine. Workpieces are 8×4 sheets of 18mm, 10mm, 6mm and 4mm marine plywood, 18mm MDF, 2mm uPVC sheet, and 4mm polycarbonate.
  • MechanicalCat and its various siblings are made – complete with ready-to-use cogs, gears and bearing-housings – on a SheetCNC. Workpieces include 25mm and 13mm MDF and some plastics.