Community Overview
About r/CNC
For anything CNC related: CAD, CAM, automation, and more!
The community at a glance
r/CNC is a Subreddit for Hardware with roughly 120K members. It has been around since 2009. It uses a forum format for communication. It is the 10th largest community in the Hardware topic page.
Roughly 22K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Cnc, Machining, and Programming. Common discussion themes are Advice Requests and Pain & Anger. Product recommendations often mention cnc machine.
Community Topics
Community Features
This community has a forum
Subreddit Analysis
via GummySearchYearly: +22K members
Growth: +21.9% / year
Member growth over time
All time (yearly)
- 2013: 1K members
- 2014: 2K members
- 2015: 2K members
- 2016: 2K members
- 2017: 3K members
- 2018: 5K members
- 2020: 18K members
- 2023: 34K members
- 2024: 19K members
- 2025: 22K members
- 2026: 11K members
2013
+1K new
2014
+2K new
2015
+2K new
2016
+2K new
2017
+3K new
2018
+5K new
2020
+18K new
2023
+34K new
2024
+19K new
2025
+22K new
2026
+11K new
Past year (monthly)
- Jul: 2K members
- Aug: 2K members
- Sep: 1K members
- Oct: 1K members
- Nov: 2K members
- Dec: 2K members
- Jan: 2K members
- Feb: 2K members
- Mar: 2K members
- Apr: 2K members
- May: 2K members
- Jun: 2K members
July 2025
+2K new
August 2025
+2K new
September 2025
+1K new
October 2025
+1K new
November 2025
+2K new
December 2025
+2K new
January 2026
+2K new
February 2026
+2K new
March 2026
+2K new
April 2026
+2K new
May 2026
+2K new
June 2026
+2K new
Themes
- Advice Requests8 posts in the past month
- Can I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree?
- CNC apprenticeship was offered to me. Is starting this journey at this company worth it?
- Need advice on low-volume aluminum part manufacturing (CNC vs casting)
#18Advice RequestsCan I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree? · CNC apprenticeship was offered to me. Is starting this journey at this company worth it? · Need advice on low-volume aluminum part manufacturing (CNC vs casting) - Pain & Anger3 posts in the past month
- I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation”
- What are your least favorite things working in CNC?
- PMI 455-L ripping corners off, please help me troubleshoot!
#23Pain & AngerI’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation” · What are your least favorite things working in CNC? · PMI 455-L ripping corners off, please help me troubleshoot! - Solution Requests3 posts in the past month
- Need help with manufacturing a planetary gearbox
- The function Vectric Aspire is missing: Fully Parametric Design with Variables (Free Tool)
- Lantek Expert alternative?
#33Solution RequestsNeed help with manufacturing a planetary gearbox · The function Vectric Aspire is missing: Fully Parametric Design with Variables (Free Tool) · Lantek Expert alternative? - Self-Promotion1 post in the past month
- Spectar: my new FREE app for machinists and engineers
#41Self-PromotionSpectar: my new FREE app for machinists and engineers - Ideas1 post in the past month
- Help Brainstorming
#51IdeasHelp Brainstorming
Topics
- Cnc325 posts in the past month
- Take a look at the F117 model I’ve recently CNC machined.
- How can these cnc milling head achieve 0.02° precision !!???
- My first cnc job !
#1325CncTake a look at the F117 model I’ve recently CNC machined. · How can these cnc milling head achieve 0.02° precision !!??? · My first cnc job ! - Machining124 posts in the past month
- Machining a critical component in a small all titanium sculpture. (Work in progress.)
- Machining Time
- Machining inspired by the solstice
#2124MachiningMachining a critical component in a small all titanium sculpture. (Work in progress.) · Machining Time · Machining inspired by the solstice - Programming22 posts in the past month
- Can I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree?
- Has your company ever had to contract out programming?
#322ProgrammingCan I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree? · Has your company ever had to contract out programming? - Software21 posts in the past month
- Can I port blender models into cam software
#421SoftwareCan I port blender models into cam software - Design20 posts in the past month
- Do you actually design for manufacturability first, or do you fix it later in review?
- Design considerations I made to increase machinability on a smaller machine. Tormach 770M
#520DesignDo you actually design for manufacturability first, or do you fix it later in review? · Design considerations I made to increase machinability on a smaller machine. Tormach 770M
Flair
- ADVICE64 posts in the past month
- What are these drill bits/end mills and what are they worth?
- Surface finish problems
- Can I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree?
#164ADVICEWhat are these drill bits/end mills and what are they worth? · Surface finish problems · Can I learn CNC programming without an Engineering degree? - SHOWCASE35 posts in the past month
- Is it broken or can we fisk it?
- Five-Axis Machined Mirror Finish Aircraft Model | Thinnest Point: 0.3mm
- Got tired of being splashed with coolant when cleaning vices, here's my simple fix. Thoughts?
#235SHOWCASEIs it broken or can we fisk it? · Five-Axis Machined Mirror Finish Aircraft Model | Thinnest Point: 0.3mm · Got tired of being splashed with coolant when cleaning vices, here's my simple fix. Thoughts? - GENERAL SUPPORT19 posts in the past month
- I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation”
- Need help with manufacturing a planetary gearbox
- The day in the workshop
#319GENERAL SUPPORTI’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation” · Need help with manufacturing a planetary gearbox · The day in the workshop - SOFTWARE SUPPORT19 posts in the past month
- Mach 3 Homing -- inches vs mm
- Heidenhain TNC simulator that runs entirely in the browser
- Rotary machining does unnecessary movements
#419SOFTWARE SUPPORTMach 3 Homing -- inches vs mm · Heidenhain TNC simulator that runs entirely in the browser · Rotary machining does unnecessary movements - HARDWARE SUPPORT19 posts in the past month
- Cracking around THK block mounting holes, Haas Mini Mill
- Hurco Vm10i Computer Issue Fixed!
- I've been trying to get my grandfather's Italian jewelry CNC machine running for months. I'm losing my mind. Please help.
#519HARDWARE SUPPORTCracking around THK block mounting holes, Haas Mini Mill · Hurco Vm10i Computer Issue Fixed! · I've been trying to get my grandfather's Italian jewelry CNC machine running for months. I'm losing my mind. Please help.
Product recommendations
- cnc machine4 posts in the past month
- Best cnc for small business
- Best sub 300$ cnc to cut carbon fiber abt 5-8mm with for drones?
- I want to get into sewing and making my own clothes. would a CNC machine be worth the investment to cut fabric? if so any recs?
#14cnc machineBest cnc for small business · Best sub 300$ cnc to cut carbon fiber abt 5-8mm with for drones? · I want to get into sewing and making my own clothes. would a CNC machine be worth the investment to cut fabric? if so any recs?
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 6/29/2026
Community Reviews
Frequently asked questions
- Who is r/CNC for?
- Best for Hardware enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
- Is r/CNC free to join?
- This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
- How many members does r/CNC have?
- Roughly 120K members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
- What platform is r/CNC on?
- r/CNC runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
- What topics does r/CNC cover?
- On the Hive Index, r/CNC is organized under Hardware.
- How do I join r/CNC?
- You can join r/CNC by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
- What are the Hardware communities like?
- Communities for hardware engineers, electronics hobbyists, and embedded systems developers. Discord and Reddit host communities for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, PCB design, and DIY electronics, alongside more professional spaces for engineers working on commercial hardware products.
Monthly Stats
- 11
- Views
- 9
- Visitors
- 2
- Referrals
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