Hi, I am going to move to a new small workshop of 300sqm, I have a full 4x8 cnc and I am trying to figure out which would be the best layout. Is there anyone with a cnc in a small workshop who has placed it in a central position so base could be used as a workbench while not cutting? Many thanks!!

I've found that putting the 4x8 CNC in a corner yields the most efficient use of a small space. The high short axis end can be put within a foot of the wall in my case and the high long axis is about 2' off the wall so I can just walk into that space.

BH Davis

Thanks! do you find difficult to clean that corner? Do you use the bed for others things than cutting? Trying to find clever solutions for the bed while not cutting. Thanks again!

I have a Camaster 4x8 machine in my 1100 sq ft one man shop and I use it as my assembly bench with a sheet of melamine coated particleboard for a work surface over the mdf spoilboard. I also have a full complement of other machines so the dual use is almost essential, but it wouldn't make sense for someone using the router a high % of the time. Mine is in the center of a 15'x24' space along with a smaller bench w/ vises and all my portable tools and clamps. I cut down the legs on the cnc so the working height is about 32". I have a Crazy Horse dolly which allows for loading the cnc across the corner of the table without stressing my back.

I would add that putting the machine in a corner or against a wall would save space but make servicing the y axis bearings difficult on my machine.

Thanks Kevin, I am going to do some drawings to check if a central location is feasible in my workshop, I have similar problems with servicing and cleaning so I am reluctant to place it in a corner. Maybe pushing it to the longest wall but in the center would allow to access easily from 3 sides...

Why not put some locking casters on it so you can service it easier

Thanks, I thought about that but I am nervous that it will introduce vibrations when cutting, it is a fairly heavy CNC with a rigid bed made with thick steel tubes, it weighs around 3500 lbs. Any experience on putting something like that on casters? Thanks!

I see a lot of people putting trailer jacks on the 4 corners so you can lower it to the floor

I have my 4 x 8 cnc in a corner but with a 4' space to the side wall. It is important for me to be able to walk around three sides of the cnc for loading and unloading. I have a mezzanine above the cnc.
I would not put my machine on casters. I want to keep the table level to maintain accuracy.
I don't use my cnc much for a work table but I do use it for veneer layup - my press sits beside it so it is a convenient loading surface.

There are Wattsan CNC machines with small workshop as laser cutting as milling machines.

Here is the smallest of them all.
Work area:
400x400 mm
Spindle:
1.5 kW
Machine size:
980x880x1030 mm
Weight:
155 kg

https://wattsan.com/products/cnc-routers/