CNC Mills Don't Have to Be Beautiful, But This Bamboo One Sure Is

“CNC milling machine” has an intimidating ring to it, doesn’t it? Or at least a for-professionals-only vibe. Sure, 3-D printers are user-friendly, but most can only build up objects from plastic or resin. CNC mills can go further, engraving, inlaying, and cutting complex shapes out of not just plastic but also metal and wood. They’re as much fun for hobbyists as they are for serious industrial designers. And while the Nomad isn’t cheap, it’s a beauty, especially when you pick the bamboo option for the enclosure. A 56-watt brushless motor spins the cutting bit at 10,000 rpm, making precise edges and perfect lines. The included software suite means the only things you need to bring to the fabrication fiesta are your laptop and a raw block of whatever you want to carve. You’ll fab like a pro, even if you’re strictly (hell, proudly) amateur. $2,600 & up