3D printing brought home manufacture within the reach of any maker or small business. But plastic has limits, and a maker’s projects can quickly hit walls from the fundamental weakness of printed parts. To continue the maker revolution, CNC milling needed to become as accessible as 3D printing. The world needed:

• A low-cost CNC mill that could work with industrial materials – not just wood and wax, but steel and titanium. 
• A mill that could fit in any home or workshop. 
• A mill that anyone could program and run, not just trained machinists.

So we built it.

Coast Runner CR-1 is the world’s first desktop CNC with the power and rigidity to handle industrial materials like steel and titanium. Its strong internal frame, powerful custom VFD (variable frequency drive) spindle, and horizontal form factor are optimized for true 3-axis milling. The CR-1 outperforms every other desktop CNC. 

This is no CNC router, capable only of engraving or light cuts in soft plastics: The CR-1 can perform true milling cuts, including full-width slot cutting, drill cycles, and thread milling in hard metals. The CR-1 contains the capabilities of industrial mills in a 42lb package the size of a microwave.

CNC milling has long been inaccessible to non-machinists due to its steep learning curve. But why can’t CNC be as easy as 3D printing? With CR-1, it can be!

Our CRWrite control software provides simple, step-by-step instructions for each part of the milling process, ensuring that even total beginners can easily create metal parts in their own home or shop. We include comprehensive educational packages designed to take anyone from a milling novice to a CNC adept.

Milled metal parts are stronger, more precise, and more durable than 3D printed parts, and Coast Runner CR-1 is the easiest way to gain this capability in your workshop. What will you make with Coast Runner CNC?

Coast Runner affords you the widest array of materials of any desktop CNC on the market, and we provide the feeds and speeds to match!

The CR-1 is the only desktop CNC capable of performing true milling operations on steel and titanium. Don’t limit yourself to wood and wax. 

With Coast Runner CR-1, there’s no need to rent a shop or rewire your garage. Weighing only 42lbs, and with a footprint the size of a microwave, the CR-1 can go wherever you need it to — on your workbench, your desk, or even your car!

Coast Runner runs on standard household power. No high voltage or three-phase required. Simply plug it in and get milling.

Coast Runner offers, for the first time ever, a platform that makes CNC milling as easy as 3D printing. We achieve this through our CRWrite software, which allows makers of all skill levels to make full use of our machine.

CRWrite’s core feature is a guided, step-by-step system that walks you through every step to mill a part. In guided mode, you are told exactly when and how to load a tool, install your stock, secure the fixture, and every other milling task.

Experience the power and control of CNC without complexity and difficulty in CRWrite’s manual mode. Manual mode combines the best features of the traditional serial terminal, DRO and mill control software into a single package. Thoughtfully laid out and packed with quality of life features, CRWrite is a control software that programmers and operators actually want to use.

Unlike other desktop CNC mills, we aren’t content for you to simply buy the machine: we want you to truly know how to use it! When you back Coast Runner CR-1, you also gain access to our educational library, which will contain lessons on topics from basic milling theory to advanced probing and pathing techniques.

3D printing’s success is due to the rise of strong file sharing communities. So much of the success of Makerbot was built on the community and resources at its website Thingiverse.

Enter CoastCAD, an online community dedicated specifically to sharing desktop CNC cut codes, solutions, and knowledge.

CoastCAD embodies the CNC community’s collaborative spirit by offering a full spectrum of projects suitable for the Coast Runner’s specific capabilities. The site is for everyone, from novices with basic patterns, to experts seeking to explore the machine’s limits with advanced designs.

CoastCAD is not just a file repository, but a dynamic platform where users of all skill levels can easily follow guided project modes for precise machining. An open source community for sharing and learning, we encourage users to download projects and contribute their own. This ensures CoastCAD and the CR-1 can constantly evolve, showcasing and integrating the latest in CNC design and innovation.

 

We’re actively expanding a library of guides and educational content to empower users with the skills to maximize the Coast Runner’s capabilities, driving precision engineering and craftsmanship from the work of many more hands than our own.

 

Our design approach is informed by open source philosophy. There are no artificial hardware or software restrictions on the CR-1. We use industry-standard ER-11 collets and tooling which can be purchased from any supplier. Your mill accepts and runs grbl-flavored G-code, which can be generated with any modern CAM software. Our connection interface with the mill is a simple serial terminal, meaning the CR-1 can be controlled not just with CRWrite, but with any software capable of serial communication.

But our open-source approach doesn’t stop there. Coast Runner is for everyone. We are committed to open-sourcing our entire set of hardware, firmware and software for worldwide review and modification.

Upgrade your game to true making with the power of CNC. Dive deeper into the realm of industrial crafting, commerce and realizing your ideas with unmatched precision. Coast Runner CNC isn’t just a machine – it’s the best new companion for your existing workflow. Whether you’re just starting on your making journey or have years of experience under your belt, our platform is designed to enable your masterwork.

If you believe in the next phase of the maker movement, we invite you to back Coast Runner CNC. Join us, become an early supporter, and see the revolution for yourself!

For 10 years Coast Runner has been providing contract manufacturing and commercial prototyping services for desktop CNC companies. We are proud to now offer our first, fully designed, in-house project incorporating our collective expertise. As one of the most experienced producers of desktop CNC machines in the industry, we are ready to begin rolling CR-1s off the assembly line immediately upon funding.

Coast Runner CR-1 will ship worldwide. Shipping will be charged a few weeks after our campaign wraps via our pledge manager, where you will also be able to confirm your address, rewards, and any add-ons. 

Please note that our prices do not include local taxes, duties, and VAT, which are determined by your local jurisdiction. 

The CR-1, while very small and light for a CNC, is still a relatively large and heavy item to ship, and the modern logistics environment make estimating shipping costs imperfect. This said, we estimate shipping charges as follows: 

Certain backers, including those who live in difficult to reach or remote locales, may be charged higher shipping or import fees. But we will work with our international partners to ensure your shipping expenses are in line with your country’s norms. We are do not seek to profit from shipping fees, and have set our pricing to only cover our expenses.