Written by Ekaeo
I’ve been hiding a little secret. A while ago, I reached out to SainSmart about one of their CNCs. I was honestly just hoping they might give me a discount. Instead, they told me to just have the machine and gave me complete freedom on what to do with it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. I said I’d make videos and posts around it, and the funniest part is that I probably would’ve bought one anyway. I already wanted to make content around a small CNC, test things, and try random ideas.
So to my lovely friends at SainSmart, thank you — and if you want to learn more about the machine behind this project, check out the SainSmart 3020 Pro Ultra.
I honestly couldn’t be happier, and I can’t wait to show what I do with it.
Why I Chose the SainSmart 3020 Pro Ultra
I wanted a small CNC that would let me make content, test different ideas, and explore the limits of compact machining. The 3020 Pro Ultra turned out to be a perfect fit for that kind of creative workflow.
The goal of this project was to create a titanium watch box with a strong handmade feel, while still using CNC machining for precision and repeatability.
The First CNC Session
Yesterday’s first CNC session was a success, woho! The proof of concept is there, now it’s time to make four more pieces so we can start assembling the box.
The first part came out a little smaller than I’d like, so we redid the CAD and CAM. If everything goes well, the next step is gluing, sanding, and finishing the actual box for the titanium piece unique.
Let’s roll.
Cutting the Box Components
Just look at my baby boy go — I love my SainSmart CNC.
The 2 outer rings for the box are done! Hand-sanded, just like the watch.
The box for the Titanium Piece Unique is in the final stages. But what’s a Viktor watch without human touch carried throughout the box?
Assembly, Sanding, and Human Finishing
The watch case for the Titanium Piece Unique is finally done! It’s taken me way longer than I initially expected, but it’s finally finished. All that’s left to do is some sanding and a top, and soon it will be off to the new owner.
Final Thoughts on the SainSmart 3020 Pro Ultra
This project showed me exactly why a compact CNC like the SainSmart 3020 Pro Ultra can be such a strong creative tool. It’s small enough to fit into a maker’s workflow, but capable enough to turn a concept into a polished, real-world product.
If you’re interested in a compact CNC for creative projects, precision parts, and hands-on experimentation, the 3020 Pro Ultra is definitely worth a look.
