Question 1

Is this too loud for someone living in an apartment? Is it quieter like  a Dremel, or more like a more powerful power tool?

Accepted Answer

I have this in an apartment and I run it as part of a business. The noise level depends on what you are doing with it. When doing light engraving it's not too bad. However, when cutting/milling with a spiral up-cutting bit or doing a deeper v groove/engraving, it is quite loud and it is even louder now that I have the 20000 RPM spindle (highly recommended for proper feeds/speeds by the way). As Brian mentioned, the dust is an issue as well. To address both of these issues, I built an enclosure similar to the one by James Dean Designs; however mine is simpler and lined with pink insulation foam that I cut into sound foam with a larger V bit. This contains the dust and noise for the most part. I also had to put extra TPU feet under the machine inside the enclosure to dampen the vibrations. Even with these precautions I only run my PROVer during business hours for noise reasons. The only problem with the enclosure is that is makes it a bit difficult to reach the sockets in the back if you are going to be switching between and spindle and laser engraver. IF YOU BUILD AN ENCLOSURE BE SURE TO MOUNT THE EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON ON THE OUTSIDE.

Question 2

Second question.  Can this be used as a pass through to do longer pieces than the surface? Making wood onlays.  Need narrow, but longer than work area

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 3

Does the 3018-prover come with clamps? i don't see any pictured or mentioned.

Accepted Answer

There are some basic clamps that use bolts placed in the t-track of the bed.

Question 4

What is the cost of the software and what do I need?

Accepted Answer

CAUTION! GRBL is the software that runs on the controller board on the system--IT DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT STL FILES.  It accepts g-code files a few commands at a time (buffers them) and converts the g-code command to step and direction commands to the stepper motor driver circuit that is also usually on the same controller board.  YOu'll need some CAD software to generate the g-code file.  That varies from free, or and annual subscription, to a few hundred US Dollars, to a few thousand dollars.

ASIN	B07ZFD6SKP
Amperage	1.03 Amps
Base Type	Fixed
Battery Description	Corded electric
Best Sellers Rank	#269,165 in Tools & Home Improvement ( See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement ) #31 in Power Milling Machines
Brand Name	SainSmart
Customer Reviews	4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,284)
Horsepower	96
Included Components	CNC Router Machine
Item Dimensions W x H	16.54"W x 11.42"H
Item Type Name	CNC Router Machine with Full Aluminum Structure for Beginner
Manufacturer	SainSmart
Manufacturer Part Number	3018-PROVer
Material Type	Aluminum
Maximum Rotational Speed	10000 RPM
Model Number	3018-PROVer V2
Power Source	Corded Electric
UPC	816550022917
Unit Count	342.4 Ounce
Voltage	24 Volts

SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer V2 CNC Router Machine for Beginner, Mini Milling Engraver Kit with Z-Probe, Limit Switches, E-Stop, Ideal for Wood, Acrylic, MDF, Plastic (Without Offline Controller)

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