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16 Free (or Inexpensive) CNC Christmas Projects You Can DIY – File Links Included

Woodworking / By / November 3, 2023

With Christmas just around the corner, gift ideas are on everyone’s minds. If you’re a machinist or woodworker, CNC projects might be the perfect solution for your holiday gift-giving dilemma. We’ve compiled a curated list of simple yet meaningful CNC Christmas projects that will impress those you care about with your thoughtfulness.

Whether you’re working with a desktop CNC mill, CNC plasma cutter, CNC laser cutter, CNC router, or 3D printer, these DIY projects will make this Christmas one to remember. You too can create unique and personalized gifts with the help of your home CNC machine!

What materials and tools will I need?

Because you could make everything from Christmas tree decorations to a Christmas wreath for the front door, we recommend choosing your projects before compiling a supply list. Part of the fun is not only choosing the design, but also deciding which materials you’ll use – wood, metal, plastics, acrylics, and glass are all possibilities. You will also need cutting tools, such as a 1/8″ down-cut endmill, a 1/4″ down-cut endmill, and a 60-degree V-bit cutter.

Five DIY Wooden Christmas Projects for Your CNC Router

Here are five woodworking Christmas projects designed for a CNC router. Each project has a file (.SVG, JPG, PNG, or DXF) you can download and a list of tools and materials.

The first project is a DIY Christmas Countdown machined from a 12″x18″ piece of 1″ thick wood. The tools and materials are at https://www.loveandrenovations.com/diy-christmas-countdown/. You can download the files at https://easel.inventables.com/projects/5sr-wF7yFQ4ZznQNJToJdA

The next project is a YouTube tutorial that offers detailed instructions on the basics of woodworking and how to use a CNC router. Check out How to make 3D wooden Christmas ornaments on the CNC machine if you’re new to woodworking and would benefit from step-by-step instructions.

The third project is a simple Laser Cut Christmas Tree (5mm) using a DXF file that you can download at https://3axis.co/laser-cut-christmas-trees-5mm-dxf-file/eo4qgvg7/

Next is a CNC Snowman Charcuterie Board. This digital file package includes a Vcarve Pro .crv file along with the following vector files: AI, EPS, PDF, and SVG. Only 2 router bits are required to create this snowman (60-degree v-bit and 1/8″ compression bit). The download is available here.

Finally, check out this Wood Reindeer cut on a CNC router from 1/2″ common-size birch plywood with a .125″ compression endmill and an outside profile cut. The finished size is approximately 14″L x 8.75″W x 23.25″H. The files are available here.

Three Christmas Projects from a Single Piece of Wood

If you want to make easy Christmas CNC router projects to sell or give as gifts, this is the video for you! These CNC Christmas projects are small and make great Christmas gifts. Here are the Etsy file links for these:

Table-Top Christmas Tree: https://www.etsy.com/listing/12120488…

Believe Log: https://www.etsy.com/listing/899613843/believe-log-cnc-cut-file?ref=yr_purchases

Santa Tray Creator Kit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1071157726/dear-santa-tray-svg-creator-kit-diy?ref=yr_purchases

A Unique Snowflake Ornament

Made from white oak using V-Carve Pro software, the free snowflake vector was downloaded from www.vecteezy.com (shown on the video) and the YouTube video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcAVYloGFvU showing the short machining process.

Try This Merry Christmas Puzzle

This is an interactive Merry Christmas Puzzle that adults and children will love putting together. The excellent instructional video project shows you how to cut the letters to fit in their pockets with enough clearance so they won’t frustrate little hands on Christmas Eve. It’s a relatively simple project that helps children learn letters while creating lifetime memories.

Check out the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uURJrGbjbU for complete instructions and information on downloading the files.

Christmas Tree 3D Model

With a 3D printer and some festive STL files, you can design custom decor to make your place the toast of the season. For a classic centerpiece, download this evergreen tree model and print your own custom Christmas tree. Decorate it with ornaments of your choosing for a creation that’s uniquely you.

You can find a classic Christmas tree 3D model and decorate your house by breathing some life into it with the help of an FDM or resin 3D printer. The web is filled with free STL files for all sorts of holiday decor, and 3D printing is an excellent way to add some flair to your home without dropping a fortune.

Download one of the files at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2687318

Try One of These Santa Claus Sleigh Projects

If your machine tool can handle this full-size sleigh, it will be one Christmas gift your friends and family won’t soon forget! You create it from four or five sheets of 3/4” plywood, and the finished sleigh will be strong enough to hold more than one adult. It’s more challenging than anything else on this list, but the results are stunning!

Instructions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaBIX9frEB0

Free Vectric Files at https://jayscustomcreations.com/2020/12/full-size-santa-sleigh-free-files/

If your worktable requires smaller CNC Christmas projects, here is a Santa sleigh made from a more manageable workpiece. These Christmas Santa Sleighs for Laser and CNC are designed to fit Glowforge laser cutting machines but can be used with any laser or CNC machine.

These files are ideal for machines using the following files:

  • DXF (AutoCAD)
  • SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
  • PDF (Adobe Portable Document)
  • AI (Adobe Illustrator)
  • CDR (Corel DRAW)
  • JPG files (for reference only)

All vector files are in curves, and the user can resize the template without losing details of the design.

A Wooden Christmas Tree Challenge!

Etsy.com offers a digital file for a CNC router to make a 6-part plywood Christmas tree. The finished tree is over four feet high and almost 3.5 feet wide. The parts are all made from .25” plywood and require no nails or screws. (assembly instructions are included. Files to download: Adobe PDF and AutoCAD Interchange (.dxf file).

You can find the details at https://www.pinterest.com/pin/560135272415332937/

Personalized Stocking Tags for the Christmas Stockings

This is another easy CNC Christmas project from 1/4” plywood. Turn your CNC machine into an engraving machine, and create these stocking tags with your children’s or grandchildren’s names engraved into them. Or, if you’re looking to make extra money for Christmas, start taking orders because personalized items are always a hit. See how easy this one is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxbdHAQu3Kw&t=590s

Christmas Automata from an Instructable Video

Create a fascinating Christmas automata with these detailed instructions. You get a bill of materials, downloadable DXF templates for each ornament, step-by-step image instructions, and a YouTube video to help you along.

See the Instructable at https://www.instructables.com/Simple-Christmas-Automata-Ornament/ and watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNMBBlMBViI&t=76s

Consider One of Our Desktop CNC Machines for Your Next CNC Christmas Project

All you need to start creating Christmas projects is a computer, time, and a willingness to learn! If you’re looking to upgrade your CNC router or milling machine before the holidays, hobbyists and professionals alike stand by our desktop CNC machines for their versatility, ease of use, and footprint that fits even the smallest home workshop.

At CNC Masters, we offer three of the best Desktop CNC Mills, and they are all available online. These CNC machines provide compact power at an affordable price. CNC Masters offers options in small CNC machines to fit your work and budget. We sell only high-quality, USA-built machine tools with ball screws, a warranty, and excellent service – all at a competitive price!

Please email us directly at sales@cncmasters.com, call us at 626-962-9300, or visit our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!

About Peter Jacobs

Peter Jacobs is the Senior Director of Marketing at CNC Masters, a leading supplier of CNC mills, milling machines, and CNC lathes. He is actively involved in manufacturing processes and regularly contributes his insights for various blogs in CNC machining, 3D printing, rapid tooling, injection molding, metal casting, and manufacturing in general. You can connect with him on his LinkedIn.

View all posts by Peter Jacobs

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29. Create a Peck Drilling Program in Circular or Rectangular Patterns
Using the Circular or Rectangular Drilling Wizards, you can program the machine to drill an un-limited series of holes along the X and Y planes. Program it to drill straight through to your total depth, use a high-speed pecking cycle, or deep hole pecking cycle. You can program the cut-in depth and return point for a controlled peck drill application to maximize chip clearance.

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20. Change up to 30 tools with compensation, and store your tool offsets for other programs
The MX supports…

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21. Use the optional ATC rack up to 8 tools for milling, drilling, and rigid tapping applications
The CNC Masters Automatic Tool Changer Rack and Tools (US Patent 9,827,640B2) can be added to any CNC Masters Milling Machine built with the rigid tapping encoder option. The tutorial will guide you through the set-up procedure using the ATC tools.

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22. Use the optional Rigid Tapping Wizard without the need for tapping head attachments
When you order your CNC Masters machine, have it built with the optional rigid tapping encoder. You can take any drill cycle program and replace the top line with a tapping code created by the wizard to tap your series of holes up to 1/2” in diameter.

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23. Use the optional Digital Probe to scan the profile and/or pockets of your fun/hobby type designs to write your tool path program and machine out a duplicate of your original design To “surface” scan an object, you can program the probe along the X or Y plane. The stylus will travel over the part starting on the left side front corner of the object and work its way to the end of the part on the right side. Depending on how the stylus moves, it will record linear and interpolated movements along the X, Y, and Z planes directly on the MX Editor.
To “pocket” scan an object containing a closed pocket such as circles or squares, the scan will start from the top front, work its way inside of the pocket, and scan the entire perimeter of the pocket.
Under the Setup of the MX software you will find the Probe Tab which will allow you to calibrate and program your probe. Your “Probe Step”, “Feed”, and “Data Filter” can also be changed on the fly while the probe is in the middle of scanning your object.

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24. Use work offsets G54-G59 for nesting applications
The work offsets offer you a way to program up to six different machining locations. It’s like having multiple 0.0 locations for different parts. This is very useful especially when using sub-routines/nesting applications.

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25. Create a Rectangular Pocket / Slot with our selection of Wizards to help you build a tool path program
The Cycle Wizards for the mill or lathe makes it easy to create a simple tool path without needing to use a CAD and CAM software.
On this Wizard, the Rectangular Pocket / Slots, can be used to form a deep rectangular pocket into your material or machine a slot duplicating as many passes needed to its total depth.

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26. Create a Circular Pocket Wizard
Input the total diameter, the step down, and total depth and the code will be generated.

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27. Do Thread Milling using a single point cutter Wizard

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28. Cut a gear out using the Cut Gear Wizard with the optional Fourth Axis

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19. Disable the axis motors to manually hand crank each axis into place
Easily de-energize the axis motors by clicking [Disable Motors] to crank each axis by hand, and then press [Reset Control] to re-energize the axis motors.

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30. The MX interface can easily be interchanged from Mill Mode to Lathe Mode
Use this interface for your CNC Masters Lathe. It contains all the same user-friendly features and functions that comes in Mill Mode. Simply go to the Setup page and change the interface.

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31. Use Tool Change Compensation or the optional Auto Tool Changer Turret if your application requires more than one tool in a single program
You can offset the length and angle of each tool and record it under Tools in your Setup. The program will automatically pause the lathe’s movement and spindle allowing you to change out your tool, or allowing the optional ATC Turret to quickly turn to its next tool and continue machining.
On the MX interface, you also have four Tool Position buttons. Select your desired T position, and the auto tool post will quickly turn and lock itself to that position.

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32. Use the Lathe Wizard Threading Cycle to help you program your lathe’s internal or external threads in inches or metric

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33. Use the Lathe Wizard Turning / Boring Cycle to help you program simple turning and boring cycles without having to go through a CAM or writing a long program with multiple passes

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34. Use the Lathe Wizard Peck Drilling Cycle to help you program your drill applications or for face grooving

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35. Facing / Grooving / Part Off Cycle Wizards – with Constant Surface Speed
These cycles can be used with Constant Surface Speed allowing the spindle speed to increase automatically as the diameter of the part decreases giving your application a consistent workpiece finish. With CSS built into the wizard, there is no need to break down the cycle into multiple paths and multiple spindle speed changes.

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36. This is our list of supported G and M codes which can be found under Tools > G Code/ M Code List in the MX
If you plan to use a third-party CAM software to generate your tool path program, use a generic FANUC post processor and edit it to match our list of codes. As an option, we also sell Visual mill/turn CAM software which comes with a guaranteed post processor for our machines to easily generate your tool path programs based on your CAD drawings.

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37. Our pledge to you…

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10. Run each tool path independently to study its movement
1. Run the machine on Trace mode. You can run each tool path independently, one line at a time to study the tool path movement on the machine to verify the position of the application and if any fixture/vise is in the way of the cutter’s path.

2. You can also verify your program by clicking on the Trace and Draw buttons together. This will allow you to view each tool path independently one line at a time in the Draw Window.

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2. Clutter Free Interface
The MX is engineered for the CNC MASTERS machine so you do not have to fiddle with a detailed complicated configuration that can be overwhelming. Just load in the MX and start machining!2. Clutter Free Interface
The MX is engineered for the CNC MASTERS machine so you do not have to fiddle with a detailed complicated configuration that can be overwhelming. Just load in the MX and start machining!

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3. Features Tour and Tutorials Included
The Features Tour will give you a quick run-down on all the features the MX can do for you. The Tutorials are easy to follow even for the first time CNC machinist.
Feel free to download the MX on any of your computers. We recommend downloading the MX along with your CAD and CAM software there at the comfort of your office computer to generate your tool path programs. You don’t need to be hooked up to the machine either to test your program in simulation mode.

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4. Navigate and Edit Your Program through the MX interface with Ease
With a few clicks of the mouse or using touch screen technology, you can easily navigate through the MX interface importing saved programs into the Editor from the File drop down menu. Using standard windows features to edit your program you can then lock the Editor Screen to avoid accidental editing, and if you need to insert a line in the middle of a program, just click on [ReNum] to re-number your tool path list.
You can create a program or import CAM generated G-code tool paths into the Editor
The X Y and Z W arrow jog buttons are displayed from the point of view of the cutter to avoid confusion when the table and saddle are moving. You can also adjust your spindle speed and coolant control while jogging each axis.

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5. Feed Hold – Pause in the Middle of your Program
Feed Hold lets you pause in the middle of a program. From there you can step through your program one line at time while opting to shut the spindle off and then resume your program.
You can also write PAUSE in the middle of your program and jog each axis independently while your program is in pause mode.

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6. Hot Keys
Hot Keys is an alternative method to easily control your machine using your hard or touch screen keyboard. One can press P to pause a program, press S to turn Spindle On, G to run a program, Space Bar to Stop, J to record your individual movements one line at a time to create a program in teach mode.

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7. Pick Menu – for conversational mode programming
Write FANUC style G-codes directly into the Editor or select commands off the [Pick] menu and write your tool path program in conversational mode such as what is written in the Editor box. You can even mix between conversation commands and G-codes in the same program.

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8. Pick Menu List of Options
Use commands such as MOVE, SPINDLE ON/OFF, COOLANT ON/OFF, PAUSE, DELAY, GO HOME…. to write your tool path programs in conversational mode.

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9. Draw the Tool Path to verify it before pressing Go
Hit Draw to view your tool path program drawing, check out its run time, or even simulate the tool path in 3D mode. This can be helpful to quickly verify your program before running it. You can also slow down or speed up the drawing or simulation process.
You can also hit Go within the Draw Window itself to verify the cutter’s position on the machine. The current tool path will be highlighted and simultaneously draw out the next path so you can verify what the cutter will be doing next on the program.

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MX Software – Easy to Use, Easy to Learn – Included with your machine purchase
The MX software is designed to work seamlessly with your CNC Masters machine. It is made to work with Windows PC – desktop, laptop, or an all in one – on standard USB. Use it on Windows 8 or 10 64-bit operating systems.
No internal conversion printer/serial port to USB software or additional conversion hardware is used with the MX.

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11. Counters display in Inches or Millimeters – Continuous Feed
1. When running a program, the counters will display a “real-time” readout while the machine is in CNC operation without counting ahead of the movement.
2. The current tool path is highlighted while the machine is in operation without causing slight interruptions/pauses as the software feeds the tool path to the machine. The MX internally interprets a program ten lines ahead to allow for “continuous machining” avoiding slight interruptions as the machine waits for its next tool path command.
3. “Run Time” tells you how long it takes to run your tool path program.

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12. Use the “Go From Line” command to start in the middle of your program
If you ever need to begin your program from somewhere in the middle of it, use [Go From Line] which you can find under Tools. The Help guide will walk you through how to position the cutter without losing its position on the machine.

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13. Exact Motion Distance without over-stepping on an axis while jogging
Use “Relative ON” to enter a specific coordinate to jog any of your axes to an exact location without having to write a program. It’s like using “power feed” but easier. You can jog an exact distance on any of the axes without needing to keep the key pressed down and mistakenly over-step the movement releasing your finger too slowly off the jog button.
Let’s say you need to drill a hole exactly 0.525” using the Z. So you enter 0.525 in the Z box. Next, adjust the JOG FEED RATE slider for the desired feed rate. Then “click once” on the +Z or -Z button to activate the travel. In this case you click once the -Z button first to drill the hole exactly 0.525”. Then click once on the +Z button to drive the axis back up 0.525”.

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14. Teach Mode – Jog Input
You can create a tool path program by storing each point-to-point movement by simply jogging an axis one at a time. Click on either of the Jog Input buttons to store each movement on the Editor Screen. You can then add Spindle ON, feed commands, and press GO to run the new program as needed. This is a great feature to help you learn to create a program by the movements you make on the machine without necessarily writing out an entire program first.

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15. Override on the fly to adjust the Jog Feed to Rapid or the Spindle Speed during the middle of a program
1. Jog Feed and Rapid with Override: You can adjust feeds using the slider from slow minimum 0.1″ per minute to a rapid of 100″ per minute of travel. You can even micro-step your jog as low as 0.01”/min. The [-][+] buttons allow you to fine tune feeds in 5% increments while the program is in motion.
2. Spindle Speed with Override: You can adjust speeds using the slider from a slow minimum RPM to the max RPM according to the machine setup. The [-][+] buttons allow you to fine tune feeds in 5% increments while the program is in motion.

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16. Adjust Counters using Pre-Set if you cannot begin the program from 0.00
In a situation where you cannot begin your cutter at it’s 0.00 location, you can “Pre-Set” directly into the counters by typing in your beginning coordinate. You can press Go from here to run your program. You can also “zero all” or “zero” your counters independently. With one click of the [Return to 0.0] button, all axes will travel back to its respective 0.0 on the machine.

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17. Set and Save your 0.00 position for future runs
Set and save your 0.00 position on the machine. These coordinates will be recorded as the first line of the program in the Editor Screen. Should you desire to return to this program at a later date, you only have to click on the Set Zero Return button. This will command the machine to automatically jog each axis to its saved “set” 0.00 position according to the recorded coordinates at the first line of the program.

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18. Create a “Home” position to clear your application and run multiple times
Let’s say you need to machine one application times 100 pieces. This usually requires a jig to retain that physical 0.00 position. But in this case, you want the program to end with a clearance of the axes to easily switch out the next piece of stock and start again. With Save Home, you have the ability to save this offset (home) position while still retaining your Set Zero position where the machine will mill your part out. Pressing [Save Home] will record this new position under the Set Zero line in your program.
Pressing [Go Home] will jog your axes back to your “saved home” position where you originally pressed the Save Home command. You can also input GO_HOME from the Pick Menu as its own tool path in your program. At the completion of your program the axes will end at your Home position. Replace your part, then press [Return to 0.0] button to allow the axes to return to its zero position, and press Go to start your next run.

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