One could say that CNC machines are the inverse of 3D printers. They’re based on a subtractive method of manufacturing, whereas 3D printers are an additive manufacturing method. The subtractive method of CNC routers involves a router bit that spins at high speeds to remove material while moving along the X-, Y-, and Z-axes in a way not dissimilar to a 3D printer’s extruder.
CNC machines typically use STEP, DXF, or SVG file formats for cutting. While STL may not be the most common format used for CNC routing, it can be used for cutting that changes height to achieve details at different depths or with machines that can move in all three axes. It really comes down to the type of CNC machine you have.
If you want to give an STL model a try for your next routing project, read on! We’ve compiled a list of the best sites for finding STL files that are suited for CNC projects or can be adapted easily to meet those purposes. However, before we jump to our list, let’s go over some considerations we kept in mind when compiling our list.
Considerations
As you may well know, there are many sites for 3D files out there, but not all of them are well-suited for CNC routing. So, the following are some considerations we used to narrow down and find the best ones:
- Sufficient selection of models: All of the sites below offer a large enough selection that you won’t run out of things to cut anytime soon!
- Easy to use: We asked whether the sites have a user-friendly interface, intuitive search function, clear layout, and if the overall site was responsive.
- Free models available: Some sites only offer paid models. Since not everyone is able or willing to pay, we chose to exclude all websites that exclusively offer paid models.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into our list!
Repositories
A repository is a type of site that holds large amounts of files, all readily accessible to you. Typically, they offer free files that have been uploaded by a community of users. The following repositories are all a great starting place to find STL models for your CNC routing projects.
GrabCAD
GrabCAD has the largest user base on this list, as many designers consider this the best place to upload their models. Many different file types are available, but their library allows you to specifically search for STL models.
The site also allows you to further refine your search results. For example, you can apply filters for the type of object, specific file formats, and even what type of software was used to create the model. Should this not return the results you hoped for, you can always resort to using the search bar. It looks through every model they host but works best if you add some additional criteria.
- Number of files: ~5,980,000
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: GrabCAD is a great source for engineers and machine builders
Thingiverse
Thingiverse has plenty to offer, including many models related to CNC machines and machining. If you simply search for “CNC models”, you’ll find models of parts for CNC machines. (You’ll run into this problem with some of the other sites as well.) As such, it’s best to search specifically for the type of thing you want to make and include “CNC” in the search. For example, “CNC bowl” will return some nice designs to cut.
Like GrabCAD, Thingiverse features a large number of search filters, including customizability, makes, and many others. The site seems to be one of the largest resources for CNC files that we’ve found. However, it can be slow at times for searches and downloading.
- Number of files: ~2,515,600
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: Thingiverse has a huge community of makers and all files are free!
Printables
Printables is the popular online repository from Prusa Research. The main focus of the website is to host STL files for 3D printing. However, as a reliable and stable platform with such a large community, many people like to use the website to share and archive files for other purposes.
For example, if you search for terms like “CNC”, “relief”, or “router”, you can easily find STL files for your CNC projects. And you can further narrow down the search results by choosing “3D Model Files” (instead of also having G-code or SLA files).
- Number of files: Not listed
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: Printables has one of the most active groups of makers
DXF Downloads
DXF Downloads is a thriving online community that gives users a platform to share their designs related to CNC routers, lasers, papercrafts, stickers, and more. While the community has the DXF extension in its name, it also offers an extensive collection of STL files. Users can simply check the categories list and choose from a range of topics, including 3D models, animals, construction, decorations and ornaments, flowers and plants, and many more.
To encourage participation, DXF Downloads uses a points-based system to facilitate file downloads. Users can earn 20 points each day by simply visiting the website and more points can be earned by sharing their own designs. The website offers a vast collection of points-free files to download. For users who require a high volume of files, there is the option to purchase points and contribute to the website’s maintenance.
- Number of files: Not listed
- Pricing: Most are free, with some points-based files
- What we like: DXF Downloads hosts a huge collection that’s really well categorized
3axis.co
3axis.co is an online repository with a healthy variety of free files for laser cutting. They have an STL category, so you can easily narrow your search to find the specific files you’re looking for. You can find the category in the menu on the bottom left.
The website is simple and straightforward to use. You don’t even need to create an account; just find what you like and download it. A downside of this “search and download” approach is that you can’t contribute to the collection by uploading your own designs.
- Number of files: ~25,500 with around 200 STL files
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: The simplicity of 3axis.co makes it stand out while browsing for inspiration
ZenziWerken
ZenziWerken was created by Daniel Groß, a CNC enthusiast based in Germany who started publishing his own designs on Thingiverse. After gathering a collection of projects, he developed ZenziWerken to host his designs. The name comes from the Bavarian word for CNC (computerized numerical control), Kreszentia, and the Dutch word for work.
All of the designs are creative with a practical function. The majority of them are vector files made to cut on plywood, but there are also a good number of 3D STL designs available.
- Number of files: ~110
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: ZenziWerken is a resource from an enthusiast for other enthusiasts
Marketplaces
Marketplaces are much like repositories. They host files on their own servers, and you can access them through their website. The big difference, however, is that marketplaces are more oriented toward models you need to pay for. The good news, though, is that you can also find free models on them.
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is a marketplace with community-tested models. While some of them are paid, they still offer a great selection of free models. Like some of the other sites on this list, their main focus is 3D printing. As such, all of the models have been tested to assess whether they’re compatible with 3D printers. That doesn’t rule out CNC routing, though. Some designs can also be cut with a router, but some trial and error may be required.
The search bar is the best way to find models on MyMiniFactory. You do have the ability to refine the criteria a little bit, including the price. The search function works best with searches for specific objects. So, rather than searching for “2D” or “CNC”, try searching for things like “wall art” or “bowl”.
- Number of files: Not listed
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: MyMiniFactory aggregates its users on nicely themed tribes!
Cults
Cults is another repository offering free and paid models. Their main focus is 3D printing, and models are organized into several different categories.
If you do a simple search for CNC, you’ll find that many people have uploaded STL files specifically catered to CNC routers. The search filters include free, safe, and featured, and you can also narrow down the results by selecting file format, license type, and categories.
- Number of files: ~1,000,000
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: Cults offers high-quality free and paid models
CGTrader
When using CGTrader, the first thing you’ll notice is that some models have price tags attached to them. Don’t fear, as there are also a lot of high-quality files available for free.
The user interface is intuitive and offers many options to narrow down your search results. As for the STL files, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding them since there’s a filter to specify the desired file format. It should be noted that this filter is only accessible after you’ve done a regular search using the search bar.
- Number of files: ~2,010,000
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: CGTrader has neat filters to narrow down your search
3DExport
3DExport hosts a large number of free and paid models for you to choose from. In contrast to many other sites on this list, you don’t necessarily have to use the search function in order to find some good models.
We’ve had nice results using the drop-down menu at the top, specifically, the header that reads “3D Print Models”. The “Decor” subcategory under “House”, for example, has some great options for CNC-machinable designs.
- Number of files: ~450,000
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: There are many free and licensed models in 3DExport
Search Engines
This category is pretty self-explanatory, but did you know that there are search engines specifically for CAD models? So, rather than focusing on one platform, these do the heavy lifting for you and look through different sites to show all results together. Here are a few good ones to check out.
Thangs
If you’ve ever watched 3D Printing Nerd on YouTube, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Thangs. It’s a repository with over 2,400,000 community-made models as of 2023, which are all freely accessible.
To find STL models for CNC on Thangs, you’ll need to use the search bar. We found that typing “2D” yields the best results, but don’t worry; the files are still 3D! The search results include models internal to the site as well as those on other popular repositories. You can filter the results accordingly, toggling between “Best Match”, “Thangs”, and “External”.
One of the unique things about Thangs is that they offer geometric search. So, if you already have a model in mind, all you need to do is upload it, and Thangs will look for similar results.
- Number of files: ~2,400,000
- Pricing: All free
- What we like: Rummaging about many sources is easier with Thangs
STLFinder
As its name suggests, STLFinder is a search engine specifically for STL files. The way it works is quite simple. All you have to do is enter the type of model you’re looking for in the search bar, and STLFinder will scour the internet to find a match for your search.
They don’t specify how many models are in their index, but we found that searches for wall art, for example, returned over 275,000 unique models.
- Number of files: Not listed
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: With STLFinder, it’s fast to search through many sources at once
Yeggi
Yeggi takes your search criteria and applies them across multiple 3D model sites. It’s fast and searches through more than 5 million models. What we love about Yeggi is that it keeps the ads out of your way, displaying more of your search.
In order to find files, Yeggi only offers the search bar. We found that, for the best results, you should search for something along the lines of “CNC”, “CNC STL”, or “free CNC router STL files”.
- Number of files: ~5,230,000
- Pricing: Some are free
- What we like: Yeggi brings search terms suggestions to help you on your quests for models
License: The text of "The Best Sites for Free STL Files for CNC Routers" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.