Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
BoXZY combines an FDM 3D printer, CNC router and diode-laser engraver on one desktop platform. Its appeal is versatility and a shared machine footprint, not top-tier performance in all three jobs: the printer has a non-heated bed, the laser is only 2 W, and useful CNC work calls for more tooling than the kit’s included bit. It may suit a space-conscious maker prepared to handle manual setup, but check current parts, support and pricing before buying; the widely cited $3,599 price is from 2017, not a current quote.
BoXZY specifications at a glance
| Function or component | Published specification | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 3D-printing build volume | 165 × 165 × 165 mm; non-heated bed; 1.75 mm filament; 0.4 mm nozzle; maximum tool-head temperature 230°C. Make, March 30, 2017. | A compact print area and familiar filament size; the unheated bed makes adhesion and warping-sensitive materials more challenging. |
| Listed print materials | PLA, ABS and PVA. Make, March 30, 2017. | These are materials listed as supported, not a guarantee that every print will be equally straightforward. PLA is the practical starting point. |
| CNC router | 1¼ HP Makita router; 1/4-inch collet; 10,000–30,000 RPM spindle range. Make, March 30, 2017. | More substantial than a light engraving spindle on paper, but appropriate results depend on the bit, material, workholding and setup. |
| Laser | 2 W diode laser. Make, March 30, 2017. Campaign FAQ: 6.5 × 6.5-inch engraving area. | For engraving rather than high-power cutting. The work-area figure is campaign-era and is not a verified current production limit. |
| Other campaign-era working dimensions | Mill area up to 7 × 7 × 7 inches, depending on bit diameter and length; laser can load an object up to 7 inches tall. BoXZY Kickstarter FAQ. | These are conditional campaign specifications, not confirmed current limits. |
| Frame and changeover | Aluminum body, industrial ball screws and rapid-swap carriage. Official BoXZY product description. | One rigid platform serves the three heads; changing heads does not remove the need to prepare the machine for each process. |
| Historical price | $3,599 tested price. Make, March 30, 2017. | A dated review figure only; it should not be treated as current retail pricing. |
What can BoXZY make?
It can print plastic parts, mill material with a router bit, and mark suitable surfaces with a diode laser. Those are three distinct processes with different tooling and setup needs, not one machine that performs all jobs at once. The machine’s practical value depends on whether you need all three capabilities often enough to justify the compromises of a shared platform.
How well does the BoXZY 3D printer work?
Filament and print area
BoXZY uses standard 1.75 mm filament and a 0.4 mm nozzle. That avoids dependence on a proprietary filament format. The 165 mm cube build volume published by Make in 2017 is modest by current expectations, so measure the parts you plan to make rather than assuming a desktop machine will accommodate them.
Bed and material trade-offs
The bed is non-heated. PLA is the most sensible documented starting material; although Make lists ABS and PVA support, support does not make those materials equally easy to print. Materials prone to shrinkage and warping are more demanding without a heated bed, particularly for larger parts. For routine use, consider whether your projects fit the build volume and whether PLA covers most of them.
#1 Best Overall
- [Most Advanced 3-in-1 3D Printer]: Snapmaker Artisan 3D printer features Dual Extrusion 3D Printing, 10W Laser Engraving & Cutting (with Camera Capture), 200W CNC Carving. With three functions are integrated into one machine, Artisan help you realize different advanced projects and truly turn your desktop into a workshop. The modular design and quick-swap toolheads & platforms let you shift between 3 functions in 1 minute,really enhance efficiency.
- [Large Work Area But Save Space]: Save workspace. Seamlessly switch between 3DP, Laser, and CNC toolheads, catering to both daily and professional needs. Artisan large 3D printer achieves complex projects with ease in 400mm x 400mm x 400mm larger work area.
- [All-metal Design]: We introduce industrial-grade transmission technology to desktop fabrication—steel guiderails made by CNC grinding at micron level. This leads to a significant raise in precision, rigidity & durability. Artisan also comes with an upgraded one-piece die-cast base plate. It’s as steady as a rock even during high-speed CNC machining.The included laser-proof &dust-proof Enclosure ensures laser class 1 safety for you and your family. Laser Class:Class 1. Power Output:10W=10 000 mW
- [Perfectly Supports 600+ Materials]: Snapmaker Artisan 3-in-1 3D Printer supports a wide range of materials across its 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC carving functions. Use various filaments like PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and Nylon with the dual extruder, including easy-to-remove supports. Handle wood, metal, leather, and acrylic with different laser modules, and tackle precision machining on tough materials with the 200W CNC Module and 4mm CNC bits.
- [Easy-to-Use]: Artisan 3D printer is equipped with a 7" Touchscreen, providing you a broader vision and a smoother workflow with our ergonomic touchscreen, offering live displays of working status, dual-nozzle temperature configuration, G-code file previews, and the convenience of module replacement without powering off. Our Free 3-in-1 Software provides concise and easy-to-follow configuration workflow of 3D printing, and laser and CNC machining. Excel in 3 fabrication methods with 1 software.
Setup and profiles
A community setup guide documents three-point leveling, magnetic platform seating, homing, and BoXZY profiles for Slic3r and Cura. A magnetic platform must be seated correctly before printing, and the axes need to be homed and the bed leveled. Those steps make the printer more hands-on than a system designed around automatic calibration.
What is the BoXZY CNC mill capable of?
The CNC head uses a 1¼ HP Makita router with a 1/4-inch collet and a published spindle range of 10,000–30,000 RPM. This is a full router rather than a low-power engraving spindle, giving it a stronger hardware basis for milling tasks. Actual results still depend on the bit, material, toolpath and secure workholding; motor power alone does not establish precision or cutting speed.
Rank #2
- [Artisan Standard+2W Infrared Laser+Air Purifier Combo]: This Artisan combo features Dual Extrusion 3D Printing, 10W Laser Engraving,200W CNC Carving,2W Infrared Laser and Air Purifier. With three functions are integrated into one machine, Artisan help you realize different advanced projects and truly turn your desktop into a workshop. The modular design and quick-swap toolheads & platforms let you shift between 3 functions in 1 minute,really enhance efficiency.
- [Large Work Area But Save Space]: Save workspace. Seamlessly switch between 3DP, Laser, and CNC toolheads, catering to both daily and professional needs. Artisan large 3D printer achieves complex projects with ease in 400mm x 400mm x 400mm larger work area.
- [All-metal Design]: We introduce industrial-grade transmission technology to desktop fabrication—steel guiderails made by CNC grinding at micron level. This leads to a significant raise in precision, rigidity & durability. Artisan also comes with an upgraded one-piece die-cast base plate. It’s as steady as a rock even during high-speed CNC machining.The included laser-proof &dust-proof Enclosure ensures laser class 1 safety for you and your family. Laser Class:Class 1. Power Output:10W=10 000 mW
- [Perfectly Supports 600+ Materials]: Snapmaker Artisan 3-in-1 3D Printer supports a wide range of materials across its 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC carving functions. Use various filaments like PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and Nylon with the dual extruder, including easy-to-remove supports. Handle wood, metal, leather, and acrylic with different laser modules, and tackle precision machining on tough materials with the 200W CNC Module and 4mm CNC bits.
- [Easy-to-Use]: Artisan 3D printer is equipped with a 7" Touchscreen, providing you a broader vision and a smoother workflow with our ergonomic touchscreen, offering live displays of working status, dual-nozzle temperature configuration, G-code file previews, and the convenience of module replacement without powering off. Our Free 3-in-1 Software provides concise and easy-to-follow configuration workflow of 3D printing, and laser and CNC machining. Excel in 3 fabrication methods with 1 software.
Bits and included tooling
Make reports that the kit includes only one 1/4-inch milling bit and cautions that it is a poor choice for intricate or small projects. Plan on buying additional 1/4-inch router bits for the work you intend to do. If a desired bit uses a different shank size, check whether a compatible collet adapter is required before purchasing it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWork area and clamping
The Kickstarter FAQ gives a mill working area of up to 7 × 7 × 7 inches, conditional on bit diameter and length. It is campaign-era information, not a verified production specification for a current machine. The workflow also depends on securing stock with clamps; Make warns that clamps can catch as the Z-axis rises, so their placement must leave the machine’s travel clear.
Rank #3
- All-Aluminum Structure & Enhanced Stability: Engineered with an all-metal framework and linear rail Z-axis, the FoxAlien Masuter Pro offers superior precision, durability, and stability for detailed engraving and cutting on wood, acrylic, MDF, nylon, and more.
- Upgraded Dust-Proof Controller & User-Friendly Design: Features a compact, dust-resistant controller box with easily accessible emergency stop and home buttons for safer, more convenient operation.
- Versatile Spindle Compatibility & Customization: Includes two spindle clamps (52mm & 65mm) compatible with 60W and 300W spindles, as well as custom upgrade options like 65mm router or 1.5KW spindle for advanced carving needs. It also supports the 69mm spindle clamp, please buy separately.
- Quick Assembly & Pre-Wired Components: Main parts are pre-assembled with pre-wired wiring to the controller, plus a detailed step-by-step manual—set up in just 10-15 minutes, ideal for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.
- Large Working Area & Expandability: Features a generous 15.75” x 15.75” x 2.36” (400 x 400 x 60mm) engraving surface, with optional Y-axis extension kit, perfect for larger projects and versatile woodworking applications.
Is the 2 W BoXZY laser strong enough to cut?
It is best treated as an engraver, not a general-purpose cutter. Make characterizes the 2 W diode unit as relatively weak but adequate for etching wood, leather, acrylic and similar materials. The campaign FAQ states a 6.5 × 6.5-inch engraving area and says an object up to 7 inches tall can be loaded. Both area figures come from campaign-era material and should be confirmed for any specific unit.
A critical operating detail is the laser-off command: Make warns that a laser G-code job must include an explicit shutoff command or the laser may continue burning after the intended engraving. This makes checking the generated job and its end behavior part of safe operation, not an optional software nicety.
Rank #4
- All-Metal Z-Axis & 0.1mm High Precision - Upgraded metal Z-axis with T8 backlash-eliminating lead screws, 0.1mm positioning accuracy, no shaking during engraving. Better stability than nylon Z-axis models, supports aluminum/brass sheet processing
- 15Lbs Lightweight & Small Space Friendly - Only 15 Pounds and 420x355x280mm compact size, fits any desk corner. 300x180x40mm working area meets DIY, personalized nameplate and small business production needs
- GRBL CONTROL BOARD, USB WIRED CONNECTION - 32 GRBL control board with USB data port for direct wired PC connection; no built-in TF card slot, no Bluetooth, no 2.4G/5G WiFi wireless functions supported; only transfer .nc/ Gcode files via attached USB cable; compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10 operating systems.
- All-in-One Kit & Ready to Create - Include 10 standard cutters, ER11 collet (0.5-7mm), 775 spindle motor (7000-9000RPM) and professional tools. No extra purchase, start your first project in 10 minutes
- STEM Education & GRBL Compatibility - 40+ precision components full disassembly kit, learn XYZ-axis motion principles while assembling. Compatible with GRBL, ArtCam, Fusion360 and Windows/Mac OS, perfect for DIY, school education and maker training
What does changing heads and using BoXZY involve?
The rapid-swap carriage makes it possible to move between printing, milling and engraving without buying three separate machine frames. It does not eliminate process-specific preparation. A typical job entails installing the appropriate head, homing the axes, preparing the platform or stock, selecting suitable software settings, and verifying that the work area is clear.
- For printing: seat the magnetic platform carefully, level it, home the machine and use an appropriate BoXZY profile in Slic3r or Cura.
- For CNC work: secure the workpiece with the supplied clamps and check the full Z-axis path so the moving assembly cannot catch a clamp.
- For laser jobs: confirm the toolpath has an explicit laser-off command after the engraving.
- Before reaching inside: use the physical emergency stop, as the community guide advises.
These setup demands matter if the machine will be used frequently or by several people: the convenience of a shared platform comes with calibration, tooling and safety checks each time the process changes.
Best Value
- 500W Spindle & High Speed CNC Router Machine: The 500w Spindle is a Robust and Versatile Component Design. Its High-power Output Enables It to Deliver Consistent Performance, Even When Cutting Through Dense Materials Like Aluminum and Copper. This Powerful Spindle Ensures That Your Machine can Tackle Even The Most Demanding Projects While Maintaining Precision And Efficiency. The Maximum Movement Speed can Reach 5000mm/Min. The Spindle Speed Range is 0-12000RPM/Min.
- 3018 Pro Max All Metal Structure: All-metal Construction, Have Durability, Stability, and Reliability. By Using Reinforced Aluminum Profiles, The Machine Frame can Withstand Heavy Loads and Resist Wear And Tear Over Time. Furthermore, No Plastic Parts (Except For Electrical Components) Ensures That The Frame Maintains Its Structural Integrity Even in Harsh Operating Conditions.
- Extra Long Z-Axis Travel: The New Design Makes This Machine Have The Longest Z-axis Stroke Among (80mm) The Standard Models on The Market.additionally, Our Machine Frame Incorporates a 12mm Optical Axis, Which Provides Precise Linear Motion and Accurate Positioning. This Feature is Crucial For Maintaining The Performance and Efficiency of Various Machinery and Automated Systems.We Provide Dedicated Upgrade Kit for 12mm, Please Contact us if Necessary(Upgrade Kit is Sold Separately).
- 3018 CNC Unparalleled Security: The 3018 CNC Machine Boasts a Robust Safety System with 6 Limit Switches and an Emergency Stop Button, Ensuring Optimal User Safety While Effectively Preventing Any Potential Abnormal Machine Conditions. Moreover, The Xyz Axis is Thoughtfully Outfitted with Manual Handwheels, Enabling Seamless and Accurate Positioning of The Machine Origin, Thereby Enhancing Overall Operational Efficiency and Facilitating a Highly Convenient Working Process.
- Two-in-One CNC Machine: The Ability to Switch Between Spindle and Carving Modes Allows Users to Perform a Wide Range of Tasks with a Single Machine, From Cutting and Carving to Marking and Etching. Having Versatile Equipment That can Adapt to Different Tasks and Materials is Essential for Maximizing Productivity and Efficiency.
Is BoXZY worth buying?
It makes sense for
- Makers with limited bench space who will genuinely use all three functions.
- Owners comfortable with manual homing, leveling, tool changes and software profiles.
- Users whose printing needs fit a 165 mm cube and who can primarily use PLA.
- Projects that benefit from a substantial router and 1/4-inch tooling, rather than only fine engraving.
Look elsewhere if
- You need reliable, easy printing of warping-sensitive materials or routinely print larger parts.
- Your main requirement is laser cutting; a 2 W diode engraver is not a high-power cutter.
- You expect intricate CNC work straight from the box without acquiring suitable bits or adapters.
- You need modern, clearly documented retail availability, warranty terms or readily confirmed parts support.
Check before paying
The available official and campaign information is historical or stale. Before buying a new or used unit, confirm the actual machine’s included heads and tooling, current parts inventory, warranty and support arrangements, software compatibility, and total cost after acquiring task-appropriate consumables. Compare alternatives on print volume and heated-bed capability; router power, collet and workholding; laser power and usable area; changeover and calibration; software openness; noise and enclosure; included tooling; service availability; and overall cost. The 2017 $3,599 figure is not enough to determine whether any present offer is good value.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
