An excellent series of videos James (I could have put this comment on any one of them!). No flannelling, BS or other unnecessary stuff, straight to the point and you make things very understandable. You're a natural educator, but I do appreciate the amount of work that must go into each video all the same. Thank you.

I just watched this video. I'm about a year too late to help with the laptop problem, but here goes. Most laptops have a power control option on the USB ports that will shut the power off after a predefined time of no user interaction. The strange thing people don't realize is that means mouse or keyboard interaction, not USB communications. You can set the option to "Never" on most laptops. Great video!

You are the BEST!!! You solved my spindle not coming on issue in the first 20 seconds of the video. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Thank you , my 3018 was printing inverse and backwards you're video helped be change my $3 correctly . Its working great now

Thank you. Was so frustrated. I did what you sad and removed the offline controller and was able to connect straight Away... you are a lifesaver

Excellent as usual. Thanks James.

James, superb series of videos/tutorials. I bought a 2 in 1 3018 and watched several of your videos whilst awaiting delivery. When the kit arrived, I assembled the whole thing without reference to the (inadequate) assembly instructions. A few minor hiccups on connectivity and then up and running very quickly. A couple of tips I'd like to add: 1. Rinse/dry/clean/dry lube the screw rods (I had to do this retrospectively as I was so keen to get going). 2. When fitting the coupling (bit that connects the step motor to the screw drive) I had to dissasemble and create a tiny gap (two sheets of paper) to stop the coupling rubbing against the body of the motor - this fixed the problem of sticking/skipping due to drag. Your suggestion to use blue tape / mitre bond is brilliant and saved my sanity. The clamps are so badly designed. Thank you so much.

Thanks James Dean for creating this video. You've answered a couple questions that I'm having trouble with. 1, how to adjust the direction and depth of the spindle. 2, how to download the system onto my laptop. Basically, I've had my CNC3018 for a while. Downloaded it to another laptop. Now I have a new laptop and had to figure out how to download the system control to the new one. Now I can go set things up and see how things go. You are a Great Help with Sharing Your Knowledge. Thanks again for everything and wish me luck that I do things right, lol.

Thank you so much! The Y axis on our 4030 needed this exact treatment 😊

All good info James. Thanks. Jim

Wow! Working my way through your awesome tutorials. Your efforts and hard work are appreciated. Hoping your contributions are up. They definitely have value. I'll definitely be contributing towards my future education from James Dean Designs.

I don't have my machine yet (comes in today hopefully) But I'm SO glad I found your channel. I'm binging your videos in preparation for its arrival and it makes me feel lot less un-easy about getting into this since you have so many videos for the entry level folks like us!

Brilliant video as always, James

After a week of trying everything I could think of I found your video.$3=1 stopped my 4030V2 from cutting backwards in the X axis. Thanks for your great videos

Great tutorials, James! Thanks for sharing your skills.

Awsome just had change usb port on laptop been at it since xmas morning keep up the good work : ))))))))))

What a great tutorial. 10/10👍

Excellent helpful video.👍

re comms cutting out part way through a job - I found that problems sometimes came and went with Win updates, and the 340 drivers have a bad reputation with windows. I took to checking whether my CNC was still working every time there was a win update, so I could roll back before the time limit. I now use a raspberry pi. I have always used candle as it is what arrived with my 3018. Candle for the raspberry pi has defeated many linux fluents (of which I am definitely not one) - but there is a port of candle for the pi out there on the web, and even in my noobery I got it working. As to recognising a comms failure (it was always that the driver had lost connection to the 340, so was unrecoverable without an unplug/replug, which resets candle) - typically the symptom was that the spindle was left spinning but all the axes stopped moving. The key here is that GRBL has not detected an error, so has left the spindle on while it waits for more commands. The key to recovering is that BEFORE doing anything you look in the Gcode log to see where it got to, then you know the current position of the axes (because the lack of error condition means GRBL successfully executed the last command it heard). Write down the latest position in the Gcode (NOT the current displayed position, because the actual position never made it back to the PC because the comms broke), and replug the USB. When candle comes back to life, it will consider itself to be at 0,0,0, but you can move it back to "real" 0,0,0 using the "latest point" you wrote down above (basically G0 then negative the numbers you wrote down, but be careful not to move "through material" - best to move Z upwards to a clearance height, then X&Y, then Z). Then zero the axes and you've got a shot at continuing the job. Ideally edit down the Gcode to omit all the moves it has already made (but obviously not Motor control / other settings) - this is only if you understand the Gcode well. FWIW I have a switch in my spindle feed, so I can switch off the spinning spindle while I'm investigating where it had got to.

Thanks for this.

Great video as always, very helpful! I'd just like to add that when routing out a profile it's always best with small bits to run multiple paths and drop down say 0.5mm each step. Harder materials the lower the step amount. It takes longer but your bits will thank you (and no I don't work for Manscaped lol!!). I have a 3018 pro but will definitely be building my own rather large CNC machine after scavenging some expensive steppers, just need to get the trinamic 5160 drivers built up...

Excellent video!

Lot's of great information!

Thank you bro ❤

Good stuff! I was one of the unfortunate customers who received a model where the motor was on the left so I was lost on how to switch this around. I also had spindle problems with certain programs. One would only allow the spindle motor to run and none of the other axis, the other would allow everything but the spindle. So I decided to move onto the laser. I quickly realized I got the more powerful laser that doesn't have the proper connection on the board itself so I will need an external power supply to get it working. I've revisited this machine a few times over the past few years but never really have the time to troubleshoot it. Your videos help immensely but I find it a little distracting how you use different programs for certain settings then bounce into another. But at least I have a general idea on what to look for. Maybe I'll get this thing running yet!

Perfect video. Thanks for sharing. Your videos are really eye-openers! Am I wrong when I say that 90+ % of the people who buy a simple CNC machine (because they are beginners, just like me I hope in a couple of weeks) don't realize the complexity and all the things that can go wrong between buying the CNC machine and getting it up and running and having made the first design in wood or any other material. I am curious how many 3018 machines have been sold during the last few years and what percentage of them is still used by the first buyers. You deserve many more subscribers and a lot of patreons or other people who'll give a financial contribution to keep your channel running.

My TwoTrees ttc450 was freezing up randomly. I soldered a 10 pico farad capacitor from each terminal on the motor to the motor housing. I haven't had the problem since. I always had to do this for my rc cars & airplanes. I figured it would help here, too.

Whe I was training to become Tool Maker I was taught the formula tp calculate RPM is (Cutting Speed (Find out for whatever material you are using im meter/min)=Pi(3.14 or 22/7)*D(Diameter)*N(RPM)/1000)

Great videos been a big help being new to running a cnc machine. Why does it leave small uncut pieces in some of my cut outs

You forgot a big one, people not using ER collets correctly. I have seen plenty of videos here on YT where people insert the bit into the ER collet, then stick it in the spindle and fastening it with the ER nut while the bit is already in the collet. ER collets have to be clicked into the ER nut first (without the bit), once the collet is clicked in place you can insert the bit and screw the lot onto the spindle (or even better screw the collet and nut on the spindle lightly first, insert the bit and then tighten it down).

James, just found your channel. Thank you for all that you are doing for the community at large. Great information for beginners and, especially in trouble-shooting issues. Quick question or two - I notice you have your cnc's in housings. Is this for noise and dust, or simply to keep the machines clean? Also, I'm looking at a small bed cnc - 17x24" - what cnc's do you recommend in this size?

Why my gantry not moving continuously but only single times for few unfix distance after sending moving command from Ugs and then in few attempts it gets disconnected until I reset the arduino, or software? I think it's because of EM interference create by motor but not sure since it showed be immune to these EM noise as it's made for these purpose.

Thanks for this playlist! Just bought ant assembled my 4030 and the 6060 extension. Can you please make a video on how to change the homepoint (in candle) and some of the features of Candle? Thanks again!

I am using Easel and UGS to do a project.

I began setup of my Sainsmart 3018 and noted that the metal table moved forward to a point where it was maxed out and it "bumped" against the front several times before retreating. I am concerned this may damage the machine and want to know how I set the machine up to avoid such mishaps. Thank you.

Nice video James….!!!!! Now, which one do you think is the better…. If you do one video comparing the 2 machines, pro’s and con’s….. that would be awesome 🤩

Hi thanks for the info But where did you get the orange protective screen ??? Please ???

great content. i have issues with my 3018. the design always cut mirrored. can you please help me with that? or is it the $3 problem also. thanks for enlighment

James I just installed UGS to run my machine ( 3018 pro) to replace the gcode sender that came with the machine ( grbl control). the ugs loads and will communicate with the machine but has a fault. the fault is that when I click on the jog buttons the program will not always send the command to the machine. other times it will send the command and the machine does as the command requests. in addition the machine ( while running the program code as sent ) will run a small portion of the code and then stop. I have run code using the grbl control and have not had any problems ( some of the buttons do not function , and never have zero z and zero xy) I have noted your use of the ugs and though to replace the grbl control with ugs to help me get away from some of these problems. Anything you can do to help?

Awesome vids James. I have a problem with candle. I have a prover 4030 and when I am ready to machine the spindle in the visualize doesn't move. All the videos I watch it shows where it is cutting. Hope u can help. Great job again. I have learned a lot from u.

Great tutorial James. thank you ! I just have one question, is it possible to heat treat some low-quality bits to make them stronger ?

Can I ask. Have you added a third rail for extra support to your 3018?

Had to shim the bed sliders for smooth travel check the travel without the lead screw

Thank you so much for all your help a few months ago when I was setting up my fox alien 4040 - XE. My machine has been running fine for a few months.When I try to home my device and it hits the switch on the left side wall coming in it starts to jerk and will not stop unless I shut off the machine. Do you think it could be that a motor is going bad or a switch? Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi James, great videos and thanks a lot too...I have a bit of a problem with a mini CNC machine from Banggood, its model is a 1419. Now I'm using Easel to simply generate a 20mm circle pocket I want cut. That's all fine. Am using UGS as my platform for importing my easel file. It all works fine until its about half way though the job or so and just looses connection. My green comms LED stops flashing, so no comms obviously. my fix is I need to re-connect, sometimes at that stage it resets itself to zero. I have to start again. Sometimes when I get it to try to go to 'zero' it goes the other direction..odd I know. I see that the control board is really an Arduino Nano , if that makes any sense to you. Anyway, when the unit isent actually doing any work and at idle, comms is fine...Could it be power, lack off that is . ?

Thank you. This video help me with one of my issues. I am new to CNC and purchased the 3018 pro. I also add the 3040 Y-Axis Extension Kit for 3018 Series CNC Router and spoilboard. Do I need to change any setting. I can not find any information. I am using Vectric Cut2D desktop and Candle (Grblcontrol).

thanks for the tips James but I have this problem. I tried to use limit switches and try to use the settings on my ugs. the problem came up when i finished to see the limit switches that it worked i tried to home the machine and then the machine stopped with the ALARM. Goes also with the candle, it showed the ALARM. Everything froze. I tried pressing the reset button on the board but nothing happened. Can you help me on this?

I just ordered the powered hub. Unfortunately couldn't through your link due to there being Amazon here in Sweden. Nice information for newbies like myself.

Great video do you have to install the driver each time you use the machine? thank you

Another great video James. Once again very informative. Can I just point out something that I've not seen in any of your tutorials ( though I could be wrong) , VREF settings for the stepper motors. I was having an issue with my 3018 constantly loosing steps. When I checked the drivers (woodpecker board) they were only putting 400ma to the steppers. Since adjusting them to the proper setting for a nema 17 the issue has gone.

James, got a stepper motor (Y) that is inconsistent (seizes, runs backwards sometimes, just plain unreliable ). Have you run into this? Thinking about revisiting the GRBL setting or replacing motor.

@ 6:45 Machine not connecting to your computer. I found that if I have Easel open in any tab, it connects to my 3018 and blocks any atempt to connect with UGS. So when i use easel to generate the cut-file, I need to close the tab, and then connect the machine USB cable, and then I can connect to it with UGS.

Great video James, I bought 3018 pro and my main issue right now is the spindle not working using Candle or UGS on my MacOS , but it's working fine using Easel. My main worry the GRBL configuration are missed or corrupted , I heard some Mac users they don't have any issues with spindle on Candle and UGS software. Do you have any idea how could I troubleshot it?

Hi great video as usual. I bought a 3018 pro recently do you know if you can change language on the offline remote it's in Chinese,,,

Got the USB thumb drive from Sainsmart, but it didn't include the COM port driver file. Plugged my newly built 3018 PROVer MX-3 into my Windows 10 PC and the XYZ axes (as well as spindle power) seem to be responsive using the Druefel manual controls in the software, however, Windows (or my PC) don't seem to show the CNC router as a device, or a COM port with the device attached to the COM port (it shows COM 1 - but no 3018 PROVer). Do I still need to try and find a COM port driver file and install in this case?

Your videos are excellent. I was wondering if you have seen a way to control a cnc3018pro with an Android or Apple tablet? I have adapters from usb to usbC.

where do you find programs already set up? I want to flatten wood blanks so that I can engrave them

good morning, I have a CNC machine 3018 pro I purchased recently. I am using Lightburn for the laser ans Candle for the router. my problem is that when I send the carving command the machine is performing a small carving of the design I want. for example, if the design is 5x5 inches, it carves it at 5x5 mils. How can I fix this feature? please advice. Thanks, Richard

hello, Best channel I have found for cnc info. I have one question, What bit, spindle speed and feed rate should be used for aluminum?? I have the 3018 pro. I have not broken a bit but the bit chatters and goes out of path.

Love your videos sir very informative and much appreciated. Whenever I create a design in UGS itself and send the design, the gcode that is generated for that design is defaulting to a spindle speed of 0. How do I fix this so that when it is created it defaults to at least ON? Also to note this does not happen when the gcode is imported from easel.

Hi i just got my 3018 pro,my problem is the X,Y does note move when i try to,only the motherboard making a noise,the motors are working cause i tested it with the Z connection.Do you have any ide whats going on,thanks!

my machine does some random movement in the middle of a job. It always does a random movement but not always the same. So, the error (random movement) always differs. The job is saved on a card so there is no USB-connection while running the machine. any idea?

Great video as usual James. Love the channel My problem with my machine is the machine isnt being recognized by the laptop. This is after reinstalling the drivers, i eventually purchased another control board. I think it may be a solution for my machine. Tell me your opinion

Hi James, finding your videos extremely useful. Problem I have is that the spindles are not running fluently. All seem very jerky and moving incredibly slowly. Even the Z axis which I did not build! I hve tried the loosening bars and moving to each end and tightening up again (X and Y) but they are still the same. Couplers are tight enough. Any ideas?

Hi James, do you ever do remote troubleshooting? I’ve just gotten a 4040-pro and cannot get this machine to start a project..I’ve even tried the sample test that was included. I’ve reset Candle and it helped but it won’t cut from a gcode file,

I guess my problem may be the g code itself. I keep having the same shut off problem at the same time into the cut, approximately. Trying to surface the spoil board has become insane. I've tried it with the laptop more than once. With the offline controller more than once. Which tells me it's not the laptop or the controller. I've used both the laptop and the controller at different times with an IO -T relay. I started with the IO-T relay and thought that might be the problem. Once I took the IO-T relay out of the circuit it seemed to work one time through but then the stopping problem returned on the next pass. I know I'm going to end up on the phone with Foxalien and just want to beat my head on something. Is it possible that some some part in the big control box is screwed up? On an unrelated topic, when using the offline controller it's limited to jogging 10mm at a time. That's very slow when you have to move 25" / 636mm. I would just send it back but I really don't want my laptop in the shop if possible. I should say my machine is the Vasto xl.

Hey I'm new to CNC - built my new Genmitsu 3018-PRO using your build video (thank you), connected to my computer tried using both Candle and UGS. Both softwares connect to my machine, however when I try and test the machine by turning on the spindle or jogging the axis nothing happens. Any advice?

Hey James, Great video. When using UGS with my FA 4040 XE, I get connected but when I push my jog controls, I hear the motors however nothing is moving. I checked with my offline controller and everything works fine....any thoughts why it won't move with UGS?

Thanks!!! Quick question that maybe you’ve covered in another video. Is it possible to do your creation in the software then save g-code to a usb stick then plug it into the 3018 somehow. Basically have the CNC as a stand alone without being hooked up to the desktop?

Hi. I’m new to easel and I’m having a problem with the rough cut. It’s going all the way through the cut and not stopping for a bit change. Is that normal. Should I have to recycle the process for the detail cut? Thank you.

Hi there! I have been watching your videos, as a new ProverXL 4030 owner. I am running into a problem that I have not been able to find answers to. No matter where on the board I start my test files, I keep getting "Hard Limits Reached" errors. I am a beginner, so maybe there is a step I have missed somewhere? Any help or point in the right direction, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much and I am enjoying your videos as well!

James, very good videos for us new to the game. I still have issues 😭. I am using cnc 3018 pro, candle software and easel to make my design. Nothin difficult just a deer plunge. I downloaded it,opened it in candle and nothing works when I send. Just says processed three times and sent for everything else. Please help,been working on getting this thing to run for weeks to no avail

please help. I just bought a cnc pro + 15w. Im looking to engrave birch but the option is not there in my listings. Is there anyway that i can add this on laserGRBL. thanks

I got the direction of the axes cleared up, but new problems persist. X and z axes are quiet and move at normal speed. My y axis sounds like someone driving fast with emergency brake on. The y direction is also very slow. I have the extension kit -- got it from Amazon as it wasn't available from Sainsmart yet. Doesn't work any better with extensions. Six months of having this Genmitsu and still have not been able to carve anything. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi james, i am having problem with the axis. it doesn't cut as designed size. for example, my designed is 280mmx80mm. but the machine cut at size 220mm x 40 mm. what should i do?

Hi bro can we cut golden acrylic sheet to make cake toppers with cnc 3018 drill

I had to turn off my time out on my USB port on my laptop. Some of my USB ports were turned off but the one I was using was turned on (active) and part way through a print the laser stopped.

Great video James, for newbies but I have a different issue. My spindle after completing a job and going to home, the spindle keeps running. It won't respond to candle or even after powering off the 3018 SE-V2. As soon as I power it up the spindle starts. Any ideas?? Most appreciative

Hi James not sure if you've had this issue before or but, I have a annoy board controller which works fine with my original laser but I brought a Sain smart 5.5 watt laser module kit but had nothing but Trouble When I connected it up it fired straight away then had to disconnect it by the power I was told that the board was un compatible and it was missing controller drivers after speaking to the sain smart Solutions and not getting anywhere do you know which board would work with it as I have had nothing but Trouble and now thinking just to send it back and get my money back 5 weeks later not even used it it and 87 emails layer to sain smart many thanks Rod

My cut started ok on my 3018 pro but then the spindle was a little too high after 2 minutes not touching the stock. All parts were running but the spindle was hovering over the stock. I stopped the project after that and here I am thinking what potion I should do next to fix the problem. It was cutting ok a few days ago I change the the cut depth to cut from 2 mm to 1 mm.

Hi James, Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Very much appreciated! However, I need your help regarding my 3018 CNC. I am using UGS, the system was working fine for 2-3 days, then now all I get is idle response errors in UGS console, and after a short time the cut is halted but motor is still spinning.

I have a 6060 running gSender. I can see movement on the screen when I manually jog the router but the router just makes a clicking noise and no movement. Any thoughts. I have a 19 second video of the issue.

Hi , i have set up my 3018 pro and all seems ok but, when i go to test my x + y i have the issue of them juderring and not moving correctly. I carried out some testing by removing the power to x and y worked fine and visa versa.....have you had this issue and is there a fix

i tried the test program i got a 5mm square not 50 how do i re adjust the calibration

I have the FA CL 6560 and when I adjusted the GRBL settings for the movement in the x and y axis something else got changed. As a result my stepper motors for x and y will stall out and any movement above 1260 mm/min. I cant seem to find the problem. Any help will be apprieciated. Thank you and keep up the good work!

I notice when you are adjusting the guiderails, you rotate the lead screw manually. Is this necessary, or can I have my machine jog to the loosened side?

I just put my genmitsu 6060 together and when i move my xmotor by turning the wheel every couple of inches it makes a grinding noise can you help thanks.

Laser grbl will not do portraits with my cnc-3018pro. Why not? All the videos I have followed by details all failed.

Great video, as usual James. My problem is, everything works fine, cuts fine (mind you still on simple shapes). Thing is, it cuts on the work piece, upside down. When finished, of course, the shape is cut and I just turn it. But just wondering why. Is it a matter of changing the $3 line? Cheers Peter C.

Hi i`m new to this i have a 3018pro it work was working great then XYZ axis stop moving i have power going to to motors any ideas would be welcome

I bought a 2 in 1 CNC and laser machine, laser works fine but having issue with the CNC... its uses candle software and connects but the x and y axis movement is very little when i press the arrow buttons it moves like less than 1mm, even the z axis moves very little

Hello James, i bought a CNC laser cutter 3020. I installed and build according to the manual yet it doesnt work. The cylinders around the bars they turn and spin when i put in a command in candle yet the bar doesnt turn it self non of them do. Can u please advice me... maybe i overlooked something

Hello James, I'm really enjoying your videos. Very well done. I'm totally new to this. And I am having issues. I have a 3018 Prover and it gets gets stuck on Connecting when trying to connect via UGS. I'm using a Mac so I know you may not be able to help with that. It was connecting just fine until I tried to run the first job. If I try using the Offline Controller I get SD Card OK and error 2. When I try the computer the Controller is unplugged. When I try to use the controller the computer is unplugged. The 3018 is not being locked by any of the limit switches. It almost seems like the configuration stored on the board is bad. Is there a way to fix this? I did fill out the contact form at SainSmart's website three days ago and still have not heard from them. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Andy

You mention exporting the design from Easel to Candie to do the cutting. I can't work out how to export from Easel. How is this done? I am a complete newbie with a 3018. First test carve worked fine. Since then, every attempt to carve from Easel has failed. I set the X Y Z points as instructed. When I start to carve, the machine lifts the bit, moves over and does the correct X,Y path but never lowers the bit to the work surface. Could this be caused by the bug you describe at 12:00?

Hi I have a cnc3018pro and with the laser it works perfect but the router does work the x,y,z the router does not spin and in ugs I create macros to turn on and off the spinner but the x,y,z axes do not move and the same happens with candle. What I’m doing wrong. I have an hp laptop with 24 gigs of ram.

How do you laser engrave on acrylic. Mine goes straight through to the wood without leaving on mark on the plastic., Can you advise what i am doing wrong pleeeeeeese

Please Help... My 3018 pro power supply tripped the breaker a few times. So I plugged it into an outlet with a higher out breaker. Now it does nothing and doesnt trip the breaker on the one I originally plugging into. Im not electrical savy, any idea what happened? Appreciate the help and thank you for all your help videos. There is pretty much no support for the Annoytools 3018 Pro.

I will have suggestion about driver, i had problem with stoping work in middle of work and after everything figured out it was driver problem it was 2011 year developed, i found new one latest 2019 and it fixed connection problems

Hi.i m using 3018.its sometimes reset during job.how I can resolve it.also it lost the origin point that I have set

Hi my 3018 is printing wrong dimensions for example a 2x2 cm square is printed 2.5x2.5 cm what can i do to fix this issue should i calibrate the machine Thank you