By material
CNC routers, sorted by what you cut
A CNC router handles wood, MDF, plastics, acrylic, foam and softer metals like aluminium and brass. The harder and denser the material, the more rigidity, the right spindle and the correct feeds and speeds matter. Match the machine to your toughest material, not your easiest one.
Material decides the machine. A router that breezes through plywood can fight you on aluminium.
Softer materials
Wood, MDF, acrylic and foam are forgiving and suit most routers. A 1.5 to 2.2 kW spindle handles softwood, MDF and plywood at hobby and light production speeds; solid hardwood and steady production runs are better served by 3 kW or more. These are where hobby and small shop machines shine, and where bed size, commonly a 2x4 or 4x8 foot bed, matters more than raw spindle power.
Harder materials
Aluminium and brass demand rigidity, the right spindle and correct feeds and speeds; a light machine built for wood will chatter, deflect and break tools trying to cut them. Softer alloys like 6061 are workable on a rigid router with a single-flute bit and the correct feed rate, but sustained hard metal work at higher volume belongs on a CNC mill instead. The right router bit, an upcut or compression spiral for wood, a single-flute for aluminium, matters as much as the machine itself. If metal is in your plan, buy for it from the start rather than upgrading later.
In this section
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Can a CNC router cut aluminium?
- Yes, a rigid router with a suitable spindle cuts aluminium, especially softer alloys like 6061. Success depends on rigidity, the right bit and correct feeds and speeds. A light machine built for wood will struggle, chatter and break tools.
- Is a CNC router good for cutting signs?
- Very. Routers are a sign shop staple for cutting and carving wood, acrylic and composite panel. The bed size sets your maximum sign, and a clean spindle plus the right bit give crisp edges and lettering.