Top 5 Tools for Your At‑Home CNC Adventure

Written By Matt Breining

You’ve caught the CNC bug. Maybe you’re cutting guitar parts (the best use, in our humble opinion), custom signs, shop jigs, or just seeing what’s possible when wood meets code. 

Below are the top 5 tools every at‑home CNC maker should consider, whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your garage workshop. And wouldn’t you know it, some of these items are prizes for our 2025 Holiday Giveaway (spoiler - one of those items is not the new MacBook Pro… but maybe next year?)

1. A Desktop CNC Machine (We love our Shapeoko)

At the heart of any CNC adventure is, unsurprisingly, the CNC machine itself. Especially for hobbyists looking to get into the at-home CNC’ing, the Carbide 3D Shapeoko line consistently hits the sweet spot between capability, reliability, and price, not to mention an incredibly helpful online forum (https://community.carbide3d.com/).

Why Shapeoko?

  • Designed specifically for home shops and garages

  • Rigid enough for hardwoods, aluminum, and instrument parts

  • Massive user community and learning resources

  • Supported by Carbide Create and compatible with Fusion workflows

Whether you’re carving bodies, routing pockets, or cutting templates, a Shapeoko gives you professional‑grade results without requiring an industrial footprint.

2. A Laptop (Design from the Couch)

CNC work doesn’t just happen at the machine. A huge portion of your time is spent designing, tweaking, simulating, and refining parts. For that reason, we love laptops.

A few key advantages:

  • Take your computer into the shop for setup and zeroing

  • Bring it back inside to design from the couch

  • Make quick changes without running back and forth

If you’re a Mac user, this is a great time to be alive. Autodesk Fusion now runs beautifully and natively on Apple Silicon (M‑series) MacBooks, making modern Mac laptops more than powerful enough for CAD, CAM, and toolpath simulation.

Bottom line: mobility equals more design time, which equals better projects.

3. Digital Calipers (Get Nasty with Precision)

CNC machines are precise but only if your measurements are, too. Digital calipers are one of those tools you’ll reach for on every project, from checking material thickness to dialing in press‑fit tolerances.

You’ve got options here:

  • A decent pair from Amazon is a perfectly acceptable place to start for under $30; or

  • If you want to go big, Mitutoyo Electronic Calipers boast ±0.02 mm tolerances, rock‑solid repeatability, and long‑term durability. They’re an investment—but one that pays off in cleaner fits and fewer surprises.

👉 Bonus: We’re giving away a pair of Mitutoyo Electronic Calipers in our 2025 Holiday Giveaway, so keep an eye out if you want precision without the price tag.

4. A Woodshop Apron (Your Pockets Will Thank You)

A woodshop apron might not seem essential, until you wear one.

A good woodshop apron:

  • Keeps dust and chips off your clothes

  • Gives you dedicated pockets for calipers, pencils, and wrenches

  • Saves your jeans from becoming sacrificial sandpaper

  • Most importantly, make you look like you know what you’re doing

In a CNC workflow, you’re constantly bouncing between measuring stock, changing bits, tightening clamps, and checking parts. Having your most‑used tools on you speeds everything up and keeps you focused.

5. A Laser Attachment (For the Bold and Well‑Researched)

If you’re feeling a little extra adventurous, adding a laser attachment to your CNC machine can open up a whole new creative lane. We’ve had good success with our laser add on from Jtech Photonics, but do your research to find one that works best for your setup.

Laser engraving lets you:

  • Add logos, serial numbers, and artwork

  • Personalize projects without extra tooling

  • Combine CNC cutting with laser detail work

That said—this is not a casual add‑on.

⚠️ Lasers are dangerous if used improperly. Before adding one:

  • Thoroughly research your specific laser module

  • Follow all manufacturer safety guidelines

  • Use proper eye protection and enclosures

  • Understand ventilation and fire risks

When done correctly, lasers absolutely spice up CNC projects. When done carelessly, they’re a serious hazard. Respect the tool.

Final Thoughts

An at‑home CNC setup isn’t about having every tool, it’s about having the right ones. A solid desktop CNC, a mobile design workflow, precise measurement tools, a few quality‑of‑life upgrades, and (optionally) advanced add‑ons will take you a long way.

Whether you’re building guitars, furniture, signs, or shop fixtures, these five tools form a rock‑solid foundation for your CNC adventure.

Time to make chips.

Matt Breining
Next

Can a Desktop CNC Machine Make a Guitar?