Take your tabletop CNC to the next level with this shop-made 3-in-1 CNC upgrade designed to improve comfort, storage, and cutting capacity. In this video, I build a sturdy CNC base with a built-in storage drawer, add a table extension to expand the usable work surface, and install a replaceable MDF spoilboard that protects the table and allows clean through-cuts.
The custom base raises the CNC to a more ergonomic working height, making long carving sessions more comfortable while keeping essential accessories like bits, wrenches, and hold-downs organized and within reach. Adding a storage drawer beneath the machine turns unused space into a convenient place to keep tools and setup hardware close at hand.
To get more from a compact CNC, the project also includes a smart table extension that eliminates wasted “dead space” around the machine. The extension increases the supported cutting area so larger workpieces are easier to manage and stay stable during machining. A replaceable MDF spoilboard completes the upgrade by protecting the machine’s table and making it easier to cut parts all the way through the material without damaging the base.
This version was originally built for the Next Wave CNC Shark SD120, but the design can easily be adapted to other tabletop CNC routers with a few adjustments. You can build the entire setup as shown or modify the design to fit your own CNC and shop layout.
If you’re looking for a practical shop project that improves workflow and helps you get more performance from a small CNC machine, this upgrade is a great place to start.
Download the step-by-step plans and build your own CNC workstation upgrade.
