WHICH CNC MACHINE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The CNC Basix CNC Machine Buying Guide

Choosing the right CNC machine can be confusing.

There are different drive systems, machine sizes, controllers and configurations available, and the machine that is right for one customer may not be the right machine for another.

At CNC Basix, our CNC router range is built around four main drive systems:

LYNX — Timing Belt
EAGLE — Lead Screw
PANTHER — Ball Screw
SABER — Rack & Pinion

This guide explains the differences between the four ranges and helps you determine which type of CNC machine is suited to your application.

START HERE: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR CNC?

Before choosing a machine, consider four things:

1. What material do you want to cut?

• Wood
• MDF
• Plywood
• Perspex / acrylic
• Plastics
• PCB materials
• Aluminium

2. What size material do you want to work with?

The required cutting area is one of the most important factors when choosing your machine.

3. How often will the machine be used?

A machine used occasionally in a workshop has different requirements from a machine that will operate as part of a production business.

4. How much precision and production capability do you require?

The drive system affects the machine's positioning characteristics and intended application.

Once you know these requirements, choosing the appropriate CNC Basix machine becomes much easier.

🐆 LYNX — TIMING BELT CNC MACHINES

Affordable CNC cutting for workshops, hobbyists and general applications

The LYNX Timing Belt CNC range is designed for customers looking for an affordable CNC machine for woodworking, signage, engraving, plastics and general CNC cutting applications.

The LYNX range is available in different working sizes and configurations, allowing you to select a machine according to the size of the work you need to produce.

WHAT CAN THE LYNX DO?

Standard Timing Belt CNC machines can be used for applications including:

• Wood cutting
• MDF
• Plywood
• Perspex / acrylic
• Plastics
• PCB work
• Engraving
• Sign making
• Decorative work
• General CNC projects

The maximum cutting depth per pass of up to approximately 1 mm for Light Industrial Timing Belt CNC machines, depending on the application and cutting conditions.

LYNX HIGHLIGHTS

✓ Timing belt drive system
✓ Available in multiple machine sizes
✓ Suitable for woodworking and signage
✓ Suitable for engraving
✓ Suitable for plastics and perspex
✓ Suitable for PCB work
✓ Available in Core, Plus and Elite configurations
✓ Upgrade options available

CURRENT LYNX RANGE

The CNC Basix Timing Belt range currently includes:

LYNX1010
LYNX1515
LYNX1525
LYNXZ1530

These models are available in different configurations including Core, Plus and Elite versions.

WHO IS THE LYNX FOR?

The LYNX is suited to customers who need a CNC machine for general cutting, engraving and workshop applications without requiring a production-oriented heavy-duty drive system.

Typical applications:

Sign making • Woodworking • MDF cutting • Acrylic cutting • Engraving • PCB work • Decorative projects • Hobby CNC

[VIEW LYNX TIMING BELT CNC MACHINES]

🦅 EAGLE — LEAD SCREW CNC MACHINES

Increased positioning resolution for more demanding CNC work

The EAGLE Lead Screw CNC range provides a different level of machine movement and positioning compared with the Timing Belt range.

Lead Screw CNC machines are suitable for customers looking for a CNC machine for detailed work, woodworking, engraving, plastics, perspex and selected aluminium applications when correctly configured.

WHAT CAN THE EAGLE DO?

Depending on configuration, EAGLE machines can be used for:

• Wood
• MDF
• Plywood
• Perspex / acrylic
• Plastics
• PCB materials
• Engraving
• Sign making
• Detailed CNC work
• Aluminium applications with the appropriate configuration

The maximum cutting depth per pass of approximately 1–2 mm for Lead Screw CNC machines, depending on the material and cutting conditions.

ALUMINIUM CUTTING

If aluminium cutting is required, a Lead Screw machine with upgraded X and Y stepper motors, or a Ball Screw machine will be required.

EAGLE HIGHLIGHTS

✓ Lead Screw drive system
✓ Increased positioning resolution compared with the Timing Belt range
✓ Suitable for detailed CNC work
✓ Suitable for woodworking
✓ Suitable for perspex and plastics
✓ Suitable for PCB work
✓ Aluminium capability with the appropriate configuration
✓ Available in different machine configurations

CURRENT EAGLE RANGE

The current CNC Basix EAGLE range includes:

EAGLE0909
EAGLE1414

Both models are available in different configurations including Core, Plus and Elite.

WHO IS THE EAGLE FOR?

The EAGLE is suited to customers who want more positioning resolution than a Timing Belt machine and require a CNC machine for detailed work, woodworking, engraving and selected aluminium applications.

Typical applications:

Sign making • Detailed engraving • Woodworking • Acrylic cutting • PCB work • Prototyping • Light aluminium work

[VIEW EAGLE LEAD SCREW CNC MACHINES]

🐾 PANTHER — BALL SCREW CNC MACHINES

Professional CNC machining and production capability

The PANTHER Ball Screw CNC range is designed for customers who require a more advanced CNC machine for professional, workshop and production applications.

PANTHER machines use a ball screw drive system and linear rail management to provide controlled and accurate machine movement.

Depending on configuration, PANTHER machines can be used for materials including:

• Aluminium
• Perspex / acrylic
• MDF
• Wood
• Plastics
• PCB materials
• Other suitable CNC materials

WHAT MAKES THE PANTHER DIFFERENT?

Ball Screw machines are designed for applications where controlled movement, positioning and production capability are important.

The maximum cutting depth per pass of approximately 4 mm per pass for soft materials, with the cutting depth decreasing when working with harder materials.

PANTHER HIGHLIGHTS

✓ Ball Screw drive system
✓ Linear rail system
✓ Designed for professional applications
✓ Suitable for production work
✓ Aluminium cutting capability
✓ Suitable for woodworking
✓ Suitable for plastics and perspex
✓ Multiple machine sizes available
✓ ESP32 controller configurations available
✓ MASSO controller configurations available

CURRENT PANTHER RANGE

The CNC Basix PANTHER range currently includes:

PANTHER1010
PANTHER1515
PANTHER1520
PANTHER1530
PANTHER2030

These machines are available with different controller configurations, including ESP32 and MASSO.

WHO IS THE PANTHER FOR?

The PANTHER is suited to customers who require a professional CNC machine for more demanding applications and regular workshop or production use.

Typical applications:

Furniture components • Professional woodworking • Aluminium machining • Sign making • Production components • Prototyping • Detailed CNC work

[VIEW PANTHER BALL SCREW CNC MACHINES]

⚔️ SABER — RACK & PINION CNC MACHINES

Large-format CNC cutting for professional and production applications

The SABER Rack & Pinion CNC range is designed for customers who require larger working areas and a CNC machine suited to workshop, professional and production environments.

Rack & Pinion drive systems are particularly suited to larger CNC machines where long axis travel and large working areas are required.

WHAT CAN THE SABER DO?

SABER machines are designed for applications including:

• Woodworking
• MDF
• Plywood
• Sign making
• Furniture manufacturing
• Plastics
• Perspex / acrylic
• Aluminium
• Large decorative panels
• Sheet processing
• Production CNC work

Larger SABER models provide extensive working areas for processing full-size sheets and other large materials.

SABER HIGHLIGHTS

✓ Rack & Pinion drive system
✓ Large-format working areas
✓ Designed for professional applications
✓ Designed for production environments
✓ Suitable for woodworking
✓ Suitable for signage
✓ Suitable for furniture manufacturing
✓ Suitable for plastics
✓ Aluminium capability
✓ Multiple machine sizes
✓ ESP32 controller options
✓ MASSO controller options
✓ MASSO G3 Touch controller options

CURRENT SABER RANGE

The CNC Basix SABER range currently includes:

SABER1222
SABER1727
SABER2232

These machines are available with different controller configurations including:

ESP32
MASSO
MASSO G3 Touch

WHO IS THE SABER FOR?

The SABER is designed for customers who need a large-format CNC machine for regular professional or production work.

It is particularly suited to businesses working with large sheets and requiring a larger CNC working area.

Typical applications:

Furniture manufacturing • Cabinet manufacturing • Signage • Shop fitting • Large decorative panels • Sheet processing • Commercial woodworking • Production CNC

[VIEW SABER RACK & PINION CNC MACHINES]

WHICH CNC DRIVE SYSTEM SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The easiest way to understand the four CNC Basix ranges is to look at the type of work you intend to do.

LYNX — TIMING BELT

Choose LYNX when:

You need an affordable CNC machine for:

✓ Wood
✓ MDF
✓ Plywood
✓ Perspex
✓ Plastics
✓ PCB work
✓ Engraving
✓ Sign making
✓ General workshop projects

Focus: Affordable CNC cutting and engraving.

EAGLE — LEAD SCREW

Choose EAGLE when:

You need:

✓ More positioning resolution
✓ Detailed CNC work
✓ Woodworking
✓ Acrylic and plastic cutting
✓ PCB work
✓ Engraving
✓ Selected aluminium applications with the correct configuration

Focus: Detailed CNC work with Lead Screw drive.

PANTHER — BALL SCREW

Choose PANTHER when:

You need:

✓ Professional CNC capability
✓ Ball Screw drive
✓ Controlled and accurate movement
✓ Regular workshop use
✓ Production applications
✓ Aluminium cutting capability
✓ Larger machine sizes

Focus: Professional CNC machining and production.

SABER — RACK & PINION

Choose SABER when:

You need:

✓ A large-format CNC machine
✓ Large working areas
✓ Full-size sheet processing on applicable models
✓ Furniture production
✓ Signage production
✓ Commercial woodworking
✓ Plastics
✓ Aluminium
✓ Regular production

Focus: Large-format professional and production CNC.

CNC BASIX CNC MACHINE COMPARISON

Feature	LYNX	EAGLE	PANTHER	SABER
Drive system	Timing Belt	Lead Screw	Ball Screw	Rack & Pinion
General woodworking	✓	✓	✓	✓
MDF	✓	✓	✓	✓
Plywood	✓	✓	✓	✓
Perspex / acrylic	✓	✓	✓	✓
Plastics	✓	✓	✓	✓
PCB work	✓	✓	✓	✓
Engraving	✓	✓	✓	✓
Aluminium	Configuration dependent	With correct upgrade	✓	✓
Large-format work	Depending on model	Depending on model	Depending on model	✓
Professional production	—	—	✓	✓
Controller options	Arduino / ESP32	Arduino / ESP32	ESP32 / MASSO	ESP32 / MASSO / MASSO G3 Touch

IMPORTANT: MACHINE SIZE MATTERS

Choosing the correct drive system is only part of selecting your CNC machine.

You also need to consider the size of the material you intend to process.

For example, if you regularly work with large sheets, a larger CNC machine may be more appropriate than buying a smaller machine simply because it costs less.

The cutting area is approximately 200 mm smaller than the overall machine size.

For example:

1 m × 1 m machine → approximately 800 × 800 mm cutting area

Always check the specific model's specifications before ordering.

WHAT ABOUT ALUMINIUM?

If aluminium cutting is one of your requirements, this should be considered before choosing your machine.

CNC Basix specifies that aluminium can be cut using:

Lead Screw

A Lead Screw CNC machine with upgraded X and Y stepper motors.

Ball Screw

A Ball Screw CNC machine.

The correct tooling, spindle, cutting parameters and machine configuration are also important when machining aluminium.

CAN THESE MACHINES CUT STEEL?

No.

The CNC Basix CNC routers are not designed for cutting steel or stainless steel.

If your primary requirement is steel or stainless-steel cutting, a different type of CNC cutting system is required for example the ARC and ARCX Plasma CNC Machines 

HOW DEEP CAN A CNC BASIX MACHINE CUT?

The maximum cutting depth depends on the machine, cutter and material.

The maximum machine cutting depth of 50 mm, while normal cutting bits generally cut approximately 15–20 mm.

Maximum cutting depth per pass is specified as:

Timing Belt: Up to approximately 1 mm per pass

Lead Screw: Approximately 1–2 mm per pass

Ball Screw: Up to approximately 4 mm per pass in soft materials

Actual cutting performance depends on the material, tooling, spindle/router, cutting parameters and machine configuration.

WHAT ABOUT ACCURACY?

CNC Basix specifies the following accuracy figures for the different machine types:

Timing Belt: Approximately 0.3 mm

Lead Screw: Approximately 0.1375 mm

Ball Screw: Less than 0.1 mm

Rack & Pinion: Less than 0.05 mm

The appropriate machine should therefore be selected according to the type of work being performed rather than simply choosing the machine with the highest specification.

STILL NOT SURE WHICH CNC MACHINE YOU NEED?

Don't choose your CNC machine based on price alone.

The correct machine depends on:

MATERIAL

What are you cutting?

SIZE

What size material are you processing?

PRODUCTION

How often will the machine run?

ACCURACY

How precise does your application need to be?

DRIVE SYSTEM

Which drive system best suits the work?

CONTROLLER

Which controller and level of machine control do you require?

QUICK CNC BASIX DECISION GUIDE

I mainly want to cut wood, MDF, plywood, acrylic and plastics.

Consider the LYNX Timing Belt range.

I need more positioning resolution and want to do detailed work.

Consider the EAGLE Lead Screw range.

I want to machine aluminium and require a professional CNC machine.

Consider the PANTHER Ball Screw range, or an appropriately configured EAGLE.

I need a large CNC machine for furniture, signage or sheet production.

Consider the SABER Rack & Pinion range.

I want a professional production machine with a large working area.

Consider the SABER Rack & Pinion range or PANTHER Ball Screw range, depending on your required working area and application.

CNC BASIX CNC MACHINE RANGE

LYNX

Timing Belt CNC Machines

Affordable CNC cutting for woodworking, engraving, signage, plastics and general applications.

[VIEW LYNX MACHINES]

EAGLE

Lead Screw CNC Machines

Increased positioning resolution for detailed CNC work, woodworking, engraving and selected aluminium applications.

[VIEW EAGLE MACHINES]

PANTHER

Ball Screw CNC Machines

Professional CNC machining with Ball Screw drive, suitable for demanding workshop and production applications.

[VIEW PANTHER MACHINES]

SABER

Rack & Pinion CNC Machines

Large-format CNC machines designed for professional and production applications, including woodworking, furniture, signage, plastics and aluminium.

[VIEW SABER MACHINES]

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

If you're still unsure which CNC machine is right for your application, contact CNC Basix.

Tell us:

1. What you want to cut
2. The size of the material
3. How often you will use the machine
4. Whether you need to cut aluminium
5. Your approximate budget

We can then help you identify the machine range and configuration that best matches your requirements.

CNC BASIX

CNC Machines for Hobby, Workshop, Professional and Production Applications.

CONTACT CNC BASIX:

Cell Phone: 072 353 6785

Cell Phone: 074 653 5555

Email: sales@cncbasix.co.za

[VIEW ALL CNC MACHINES]