Silenci Mill One in 2026? With some V1E flair

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Some of you probably remember the Mill One. Nomad style, boxed In budget CNC.

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I love the idea of this desktop style CNC. With the enclosure made of Birch Ply or MDF. Purpose being for Makera style projects but in Plywood not aluminium.

The Mill One had many issues apparently. But it had lots going for it:

  • very low part count
  • enclosure
  • portable
  • cheap

If we were to redesign a CNC of this type what what be good decisions to make?:

  • Would using belts like lowrider be better than leadscrews?
  • Keeping bed fixed and having moving x axis mounted to Y axis?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. MPCNC level performance in this package with a focus on low part count, ease of build and reasonable tolerance in wood.

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I see only Z- and X axis, No Y?

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The bed moves like a 3d printer

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In the picture I can see 2x X-axis and no Y. the bed can move from left to right and vv and where the Z is hanging also moves from left to right and vv if I am not wrong

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The circled areas show a 3D printer style Y axis. There are 2 smooth rods and a lead screw in the center. At the back of the box is a mount for a stepper driver. It’s plainly visible, but looks like a bad render because there appears to be interference of the bed with the box on the front edge of the enclosure.

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I am very familiar with building 3d printers but this bed seem to hit the front and backplate. left and right off the bed there is some spaces that is why I tought this was the Axis

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It also appears to have a wrong offset for the spindle, the spindle would never be able to reach the front half of the bed.

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Guys, ist just the general idea. For a portable CNC it’s a great starting point.

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I don’t see how it’s in any way better than one of these with a 65mm mount and a trim router or spindle. I have one of these that I put a jackpot on.

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To be frank, a small LR4 would obliterate it in every possible way.

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It’s the portability in a box. Love the idea. :slight_smile:

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Sienci posted a ‘Bringing back the Mill one’ blog post I’ve linked below. Discussing what changes they would make.

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Maybe th “right thing to do” would be some clever mix of the two?
I mean, imagine this box, but with two rails goinng through for the x axis and an LR4 x carriage riding it…
Then make the same thing in Y at the bottom of the box with the moving “bed” riding 2 rails…
Then you have some kind of “portable LR4”…

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Hmmmm… very interesting thought

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I’ve started messing around in CAD.

After looking on amazon for linear rails I’ve settled on HGR20 for X and Y. About £30 for a pair.

I would’ve used the cheaper SBR16’s but none of the sellers have clear dimensions for them.

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My number one priority is probably low part count. So once I’ve laid out rough plans I’ll probably design some monolithic parts combining things.

The plywood frame can serve for a bunch of mounting points. And im hoping to make the X axis carriage and Z axis plate one part.