Kenneth Duckworth
Live CNC demonstrations make the woodworking workflow truly visible: visitors get to watch material removal in real-time, follow a toolpath, and see exactly how a machine fits into a practical working setup. At this year's Long Island Woodworkers Show, Kenneth Duckworth demonstrated our Genmitsu PROVerXL 2x2 and Genmitsu Cubiko side by side. His inspiring setup showcases two distinct, yet practical routes into CNC woodworking: building a customized, larger workstation around a machine, or starting immediately with a compact, fully assembled desktop solution.
Kenneth is the founder of Duck Duck Wood on Long Island and Vice President of the Long Island Woodworkers Tech SIG. His impressive portfolio includes CNC routing, laser engraving, 3D printing, and teaching CAD/CAM. We are thrilled to share the valuable lessons and hands-on insights drawn from his show preparation and live carving demonstrations.
PROVerXL 2x2 vs. Cubiko: Choosing the Right Genmitsu CNC for Your Workspace
The two Genmitsu machines served different, yet complementary needs in Kenneth's demonstration. The PROVerXL 2x2 is an expandable powerhouse that required a dedicated support and transport system for the show. On the other hand, the Cubiko arrived fully assembled and was making chips within minutes. This side-by-side comparison perfectly highlights the work needed around the machine, helping you choose the right setup based on your projects and available space.
| Planning Considerations | Genmitsu PROVerXL 2x2 (Expandable & Robust) | Genmitsu Cubiko (Compact & Plug-and-Play) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation before carving | Torsion box, rolling cart, secondary spoilboard, surfacing, and tramming | Unbox, plug in, and start the assembled machine |
| Show / Workshop Transport | Custom doorway cradle and a vehicle-to-cart transfer | Easily carried in and placed directly on a table |
| Demonstration / Setup Style | Open-frame machine with a raised monitor and shop vacuum | Fully enclosed machine with built-in lighting and a front controller |
| Main Workspace Requirement | Room for assembly, a stiff customized base, and a planned transport route | A compact desktop workspace and a significantly shorter initial setup |
Note: These are observations from Kenneth's specific show installation. His description of approximately 300 lbs relates to his custom moving setup combined with the larger machine. Always refer to our official product specifications and actual assembly weight when planning your workshop setup.
Pro Tip: Build a Flat, Stiff Base Before Preparing Your Toolpaths
A reliable CNC workstation always begins with solid physical support. Kenneth cleverly assembled his PROVerXL 2x2 on the bed of another CNC to ensure a perfectly flat surface during the build. He then engineered a torsion box and a collapsible rolling cart to support the machine flawlessly at the show.
The Power of a Torsion Box
A torsion box is a stiff panel with an internal grid structure, similar in principle to a hollow-core door. For this project, it provided an ultra-flat base for the CNC and a platform that could easily move with the machine. Kenneth took it a step further by adding a secondary spoilboard, surfacing it, and tramming the router. Surfacing establishes a true working plane, while tramming squares the router to that plane—crucial steps to avoid unwanted ridges in your carves.
How Kenneth Secured the Frame
To ensure stability, Kenneth fastened plywood strips alongside the frame rails. At each clamp point, a screw and fender washer overlapped the rail and engaged its extrusion channel. The plywood strip supported the washer at the required height so the screw applied direct downward clamping pressure, rather than pulling the rail sideways. (Note: This is a brilliant case-specific fixture design by a maker, complementing our standard assembly guidance.)
Planning CNC Transport: Doorways and Loading Heights
If your machine needs to leave the workshop (or just move between rooms), transport planning is essential. Kenneth built a separate torsion panel and protective side panels that supported the machine vertically on heavy-duty casters. This custom cradle allowed his expansive setup to pass through standard doorways while keeping the gantry and router completely protected.
For vehicle transport, the machine rode flat on its torsion box in his Chevy Traverse. At the venue, Kenneth smartly positioned the cart beside the vehicle and slid the assembly right onto it. Matching the transfer height drastically reduced the need to lift the entire heavy setup.
Check out Kenneth's CNC unloading demonstration on Instagram to see it in action.
Mastering the Workflow: Roughing and Detail CNC Carving
The main attraction for the PROVerXL 2x2 was carving the beautiful Long Island Woodworkers logo in pine. Kenneth prepared the toolpaths using Carveco and utilized a two-cutter strategy: a 1/4-inch end mill to aggressively clear the pocket, followed by a Cadence Manufacturing GrooVee Jenny 60-degree V-bit for crisp lettering and sharp outlines.
Step-by-Step Workflow for Logo Carving:
- Prepare the foundation. Assemble the machine on its intended base, prepare the spoilboard, and verify router alignment.
- Design the toolpaths. Use software like Carveco to intelligently separate bulk pocket clearing from fine detailing.
- Clear the pocket with an end mill. Let the flat-bottomed 1/4-inch cutter handle the heavy lifting and bulk material removal.
- Switch to a V-bit for detail. The pointed 60-degree cutter easily reaches intricate lettering features and sharp corners.
- Engage your audience. A raised monitor showed the live toolpath, while a shop vacuum kept the open-machine station clean and safe.
The biggest takeaway here is to divide your job based on what each cutter does best. Let one tool do the grunt work, and the other handle the finesse.
Cubiko: The Power of Plug-and-Play
While the 2x2 showcased large-scale capabilities, the Genmitsu Cubiko ran a stunning relief carving right beside it. Kenneth highlighted its incredible out-of-the-box experience—arriving fully assembled with a built-in enclosure, lighting, and an integrated controller screen. Visitors loved watching the carving safely through the transparent cover. Kenneth also noted that the enclosure did a fantastic job of containing both dust and noise right on the tabletop.
Your Workstation Grows With You
At the previous year's show, Kenneth demonstrated our Genmitsu 4040 PRO MAX on a mobile miter saw stand. This year, stepping up to the PROVerXL 2x2 required a custom support system. This beautifully illustrates how your Genmitsu machine and its surrounding workstation can evolve and grow together as your project ambitions and transport needs change.
Watch his mobile CNC stand build on YouTube. For more woodworking inspiration and CNC learning, explore our SainSmart Resource Center & Tutorials.
FAQ: Planning Your Genmitsu CNC Setup
What should I prepare before a large CNC like the PROVerXL 2x2 arrives?
Plan a dedicated assembly surface, a flat and stiff support structure (like a torsion box), adequate space around the machine for operation, and a clear route into your workshop. If you plan to move it, factor in doorway clearances and vehicle loading heights.
Why use both an end mill and a V-bit on the same carve?
Efficiency and precision. As shown in Kenneth's demo, the end mill rapidly clears out large, flat pockets, saving time. The V-bit is then swapped in to carve fine lettering and sharp internal corners that a round end mill simply cannot reach.
Is the Genmitsu Cubiko really ready to use out of the box?
Yes! As Kenneth experienced, the Cubiko arrives fully assembled. Simply unbox it, plug it in, and you can begin carving within minutes. It’s the ultimate zero-hassle desktop CNC.
Can I use Kenneth's transport cradle design for my own CNC?
Kenneth's cradle was custom-built specifically for his machine's base, his doorways, and his vehicle. We highly recommend using it as creative inspiration for designing a transport system that perfectly fits your specific environment and needs.
Special thanks to Kenneth Duckworth of Duck Duck Wood for sharing his expertise and October 2026 show experience with the SainSmart community. Follow his amazing work at Duck Duck Wood Designs on YouTube and @duckduckwood on Instagram.
