Variety of Sizes

Instead of just having a couple of sizes, the Workbee comes in various sizes that you can choose from when ordering. They are, as follows, 500 x 500 mm, 750 x 750 mm, 750 x 1000 mm, 1000 x 1000 mm, 1000 x 1500 mm, and last but not least, the big fella, 1500 x 1500 mm. These translate to working areas of 300 x 270 mm, 550 x 520 mm, 550 x 770 mm, 800 x 770 mm, 800 x 1270 mm and 1300 x 1270 mm. Lots of variety, then.

After picking your size you’ll choose your connectivity option too. You’ve got Wi-Fi or ethernet, and both cost the same price.

Kit Flexibility

One of the Workbee’s strengths is the sheer number of configuration options available to you when ordering. This means you can put together a package that works for you and your tastes or requirements, which allows you to get everything you need and nothing you don’t.

DIY

You will need to put the Workbee together entirely yourself. Assembling such machines can be a frustrating experience, but Ooznest appears to have earned a lot of praise for its packing, labeling, documentation, and build guides.

Software Options

Ooznest offers a few different software options for your new Workbee. First of all, the software that controls the machine is free and pre-installed, so no need to worry about that, but with the CAM software, you’ve got a choice. Cut2D, VCarve, and Aspire are all offered, but you can also have no CAM software as part of your package if you wish to go it alone and opt for your own choice.

Screw Drive

Unlike some other CNC machines, the Ooznest Workbee’s motion is screw-driven. This should, in theory, provide a more reliable, more stable drive mechanism for your CNC machine. Such a system is typically limited to smaller work areas, but Ooznest employs a tensioning system that it says allows it to offer screw-driven Workbees up to 1500 mm.

With the Workbee, the screw drive is safely stowed within the C-beam extrusion, well protected against debris from the work going on above – a nice design feature that should help it maintain a strong performance.

Quality Internals

A good CNC machine needs good internals. With the Workbee comes a powerful Duet 32-bit controller and five TMC2660 stepper drivers.

For the cables, a cable carrier system is used on the X and Y-axis for safety and a nice neat and tidy finish. Nobody wants loose cables near their working area, after all.

Spindle Options

If you’re buying an Ooznest Workbee from the UK, you can choose from 3 different spindles supplied with a UK plug that Ooznest will send to you. If you live outside that damp isle, then you will have to source these spindles yourself locally, telling Ooznest not to send you anything.

The options Ooznest recommends are firstly a Katsu 710 W input with 13,000–33,000 rpm. Then there’s a couple of well-known names you’d expect to see, Makita firstly, with the RT0700CX4 model, again with 710 W input, and a range of 10,000–30,000 rpm and last the DeWalt D26200. That has a 990 W input and 16,000–27,000 rpm.

Excellent Customer Service/Support

In an ideal world, exceptional customer service wouldn’t be a “feature” worth noting, but the cold truth is that it can be hit or miss. Ooznest promises a lot here, and an average rating of 4.9/5 on the UK version of the Trustpilot website suggests they’re delivering. Should you require some assistance or support with your Workbee, it seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to get it.