r/CNC

Community Overview
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reddit.com/r/CNC/
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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 119K members. It has been around since 2009. It uses a forum format for communication. It is the 9th largest community in the Hardware topic page.

Roughly 21K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Cnc, Machining, and Metalworking. Common discussion themes are Advice Requests and Solution Requests. Product recommendations often mention cnc machine and cnc router.

On Reddit
Established 2009
119K Members

Community Topics

Community Features

Forum

This community has a forum

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +21K 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: 10K members

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: 476 members

Themes

  • Advice Requests
    6 posts in the past month
    1. Is it time to look for another trade?
    2. How small can I reasonably make the radius of these inner corners?
    3. What’s a realistic hourly rate for 4-axis CNC milling?
    #1
    Advice Requests
    Is it time to look for another trade? · How small can I reasonably make the radius of these inner corners? · What’s a realistic hourly rate for 4-axis CNC milling?
    6
  • Solution Requests
    3 posts in the past month
    1. Bore gage marks causing rejection on tight ID (8 Ra requirement) – looking for better inspection methods
    2. What could cause an X-Carve to intermittently begin cutting 1/8”–1/2” in X+ and Y+ away from the work zero, even after zeroing correctly, and even when using different files and different senders? Please help!
    3. Commercial CNC recommendations for mostly wood, MDF, ply, acrylic, etc
    #2
    Solution Requests
    Bore gage marks causing rejection on tight ID (8 Ra requirement) – looking for better inspection methods · What could cause an X-Carve to intermittently begin cutting 1/8”–1/2” in X+ and Y+ away from the work zero, even after zeroing correctly, and even when using different files and different senders? Please help! · Commercial CNC recommendations for mostly wood, MDF, ply, acrylic, etc
    3
  • Self-Promotion
    3 posts in the past month
    1. Spectar: my new FREE app for machinists and engineers
    2. built a browser based STEP file annotator, so y'all can stop attaching 2D drawings that go out of sync
    3. Finished building online DXF nesting software looking for testers
    #3
    Self-Promotion
    Spectar: my new FREE app for machinists and engineers · built a browser based STEP file annotator, so y'all can stop attaching 2D drawings that go out of sync · Finished building online DXF nesting software looking for testers
    3
  • Pain & Anger
    3 posts in the past month
    1. I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation”
    2. Lost money on three jobs in a row last year because I quoted by gut. What I changed since.
    3. What are your least favorite things working in CNC?
    #4
    Pain & Anger
    I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation” · Lost money on three jobs in a row last year because I quoted by gut. What I changed since. · What are your least favorite things working in CNC?
    3
  • Ideas
    1 post in the past month
    1. Help Brainstorming
    #5
    Ideas
    Help Brainstorming
    1

Topics

  • Cnc
    287 posts in the past month
    1. Bro why the fuck is this subteddit under 20 porn ones when I look for CNC
    2. Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal?
    3. Almost finished my self build CNC.
    #1
    Cnc
    Bro why the fuck is this subteddit under 20 porn ones when I look for CNC · Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal? · Almost finished my self build CNC.
    287
  • Machining
    135 posts in the past month
    1. A rare and unconventional workholding method I use for machining difficult-to-hold parts.
    2. Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal?
    3. Aluminum Gear Housing CNC Machining, Long Tool Deep Wall Cut
    #2
    Machining
    A rare and unconventional workholding method I use for machining difficult-to-hold parts. · Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal? · Aluminum Gear Housing CNC Machining, Long Tool Deep Wall Cut
    135
  • Metalworking
    28 posts in the past month
    1. How can I self teach myself CNC and G-code
    2. Boss wants me to make this part without tailstock
    3. Error in program, looking for help!!
    #3
    Metalworking
    How can I self teach myself CNC and G-code · Boss wants me to make this part without tailstock · Error in program, looking for help!!
    28
  • Programming
    25 posts in the past month
    1. I think I might hate programming.
    2. Has your company ever had to contract out programming?
    3. Two people programming for a machine at the same time?
    #4
    Programming
    I think I might hate programming. · Has your company ever had to contract out programming? · Two people programming for a machine at the same time?
    25
  • Design
    18 posts in the past month
    1. 2.5D cnc cutting my design for a leather belt/strap cutter
    2. CNC design feedback
    3. Do you actually design for manufacturability first, or do you fix it later in review?
    #5
    Design
    2.5D cnc cutting my design for a leather belt/strap cutter · CNC design feedback · Do you actually design for manufacturability first, or do you fix it later in review?
    18

Flair

  • ADVICE
    58 posts in the past month
    1. How to remove 'dead length' collet?
    2. How much can I expect to get for my CNC
    3. HAAS VF-2 burned down 🔥
    #1
    ADVICE
    How to remove 'dead length' collet? · How much can I expect to get for my CNC · HAAS VF-2 burned down 🔥
    58
  • SHOWCASE
    43 posts in the past month
    1. Would anyone actually want this?
    2. A rare and unconventional workholding method I use for machining difficult-to-hold parts.
    3. Got tired of being splashed with coolant when cleaning vices, here's my simple fix. Thoughts?
    #2
    SHOWCASE
    Would anyone actually want this? · A rare and unconventional workholding method I use for machining difficult-to-hold parts. · Got tired of being splashed with coolant when cleaning vices, here's my simple fix. Thoughts?
    43
  • GENERAL SUPPORT
    22 posts in the past month
    1. I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation”
    2. Bro why the fuck is this subteddit under 20 porn ones when I look for CNC
    3. I think I might hate programming.
    #3
    GENERAL SUPPORT
    I’m tired of companies pretending disposable machines are “innovation” · Bro why the fuck is this subteddit under 20 porn ones when I look for CNC · I think I might hate programming.
    22
  • HARDWARE SUPPORT
    15 posts in the past month
    1. Bore gage marks causing rejection on tight ID (8 Ra requirement) – looking for better inspection methods
    2. Cracking around THK block mounting holes, Haas Mini Mill
    3. Might need a little help!
    #4
    HARDWARE SUPPORT
    Bore gage marks causing rejection on tight ID (8 Ra requirement) – looking for better inspection methods · Cracking around THK block mounting holes, Haas Mini Mill · Might need a little help!
    15
  • OPERATION SUPPORT
    12 posts in the past month
    1. Chipped edge on steel after chamfering
    2. Drill issues
    3. Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal?
    #5
    OPERATION SUPPORT
    Chipped edge on steel after chamfering · Drill issues · Machining free-machining steel on a desktop CNC — had to drop cutting speed to 60 m/min to keep tools alive. Is this normal?
    12

Product recommendations

  • cnc machine
    12 posts in the past month
    1. Best cnc for small business
    2. What is the price of a good CNC hobby machine for beginners and what machines do you recommend?
    3. Can anyone recommend a better CNC machine under $1,000?
    #1
    cnc machine
    Best cnc for small business · What is the price of a good CNC hobby machine for beginners and what machines do you recommend? · Can anyone recommend a better CNC machine under $1,000?
    12
  • cnc router
    6 posts in the past month
    1. Best Router?
    2. I want to choose a CNC router for wood. Do you recommend Style CNC?
    3. I want to choose a CNC router for wood. Do you recommend Style CNC?
    #2
    cnc router
    Best Router? · I want to choose a CNC router for wood. Do you recommend Style CNC? · I want to choose a CNC router for wood. Do you recommend Style CNC?
    6
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 6/9/2026

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 119K 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.
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Added 6/5/2026

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