I have had a cnc (computer numerically controlled router) in my shop since early 2019. I started with an X-Carve cnc and upgraded it a few times. In the late spring of 2023 I upgraded that cnc to a Onefinity X50 Journeyman, giving me a bigger work area and faster speeds. The Onefinity that came used a Makita palm router to do all the work of routing out the designs that I came up with. It was fine but it was loud and the router speed wasn’t fast enough to get the most out of the bits that I was using, so I ordered in a water cooled spindle and z-slider (the piece that allows the router or spindle to move up and down) in May of 2024. I also changed my dust collection system for the cnc from 2 1/2 inch to 4 inch to match everything else in my shop. Yes, it’s early in 2026 and I’m finally doing the upgrade.

I decided to go with a PWNCNC spindle. The spindle I chose is 1.5kw 80mm 110 volt and water cooled. It comes with the vfd, cables, hoses, collets, and wrenches. I also chose to add a S&A CW-3000 water chiller to go with it. In my mind the chiller is much better than running the spindle from a bucket of water.

I already use my cnc to create face grain cutting boards that I engrave, my hope is to take my cutting boards to a new level since this upgrade. I’m going to be making end grain cutting boards with end grain inlays. All of the pieces are created on the cnc and offer almost limitless possibilities. Multiple species of woods can be used to add natural colors to each design. This should be a lot of fun.

Below is a video where I talk about the upgrades and then I use the new spindle and upgrades to flatten a face grain cutting board.