CNC vs 3D Printing: Testing the Acmer Ascarva 4S CNC Router (70W vs 500W Upgrade)

CNC vs 3D Printing: Testing the Acmer Ascarva 4S CNC Router (70W vs 500W Upgrade)

At some point, every maker hits that moment—you’ve printed everything you can think of… and then you realize:

Not everything should be 3D printed.

Sometimes, you don’t build things up…

you carve them out.

Today, we’re stepping into the other side of digital fabrication and testing the ACMER ASCARVA 4S CNC router—running real-world tests with both the 70W stock spindle and the 500W upgraded spindle to see what actually changes.

Because specs are one thing…

but results are what really matter.

What Is a CNC Machine? (And Why Makers Should Care)

If you’re coming from 3D printing, CNC can feel like flipping your brain upside down.

  • 3D Printing = Additive Manufacturing

  • CNC = Subtractive Manufacturing

Instead of adding material layer by layer, a CNC starts with a solid block and removes everything that isn’t your design.

Think of it like sculpting.

That one shift opens up a whole new set of materials:

  • Hardwood

  • Acrylic

  • Aluminum

  • Carbon fiber

  • Engineering plastics

👉 CNC lets you make strong, functional parts, not just prototypes.

Meet the ACMER ASCARVA 4S

The ACMER ASCARVA 4S is a desktop CNC built for makers who want to move beyond plastic and into real materials.

Key Features:

  • 70W spindle (upgradeable to 500W) 

  • ~400mm x 400mm work area (15.7” x 15.7”) 

  • ±0.1mm accuracy for detailed carving 

  • Aluminum frame for stability

  • Supports optional laser modules (5W / 10W) 

And one of the biggest wins for makers?

👉 Fast setup.

The machine comes partially pre-assembled, cutting setup time significantly. 

Test Setup: Keeping It Fair

To really see the difference, we kept everything consistent:

  • Same design

  • Same material (pine cutting board)

  • Same toolpaths

  • Only variable = spindle power

Test Design:

A D&D-inspired cutting board with:

  • Dragon

  • D20

  • Text

This hits:

  • Fine detail

  • Depth

  • Edge clarity

First Test: 70W Spindle (Stock)

We started with the stock 70W spindle.

Setup Experience:

  • Used Easel software

  • Super beginner-friendly

  • Running in minutes

Results:

  • Solid engraving performance

  • Good detail for lighter cuts

  • Clean results on soft wood

But you can feel the limits:

  • Slower cutting speeds

  • Less aggressive cuts

  • Slight roughness in detail

👉 Best for:

  • Engraving

  • Light carving

  • Softer materials

Upgrading to the 500W Spindle

Then we swapped in the 500W spindle upgrade.

This is not a small upgrade.

  • Bigger spindle

  • Larger mounting bracket

  • More powerful power supply

👉 More power = deeper cuts, faster speeds, cleaner results.

Second Test: 500W Spindle

Same file. Same material.

Immediately noticeable:

👉 More power. More confidence.

Results:

  • Cleaner edges

  • Better detail definition

  • More consistent carving

  • Handles deeper passes easily

Side-by-side?

The difference is clear.

Even with a learning curve, the 500W version produced:

👉 Sharper, cleaner, more refined results

70W vs 500W: What Actually Changes?

70W Spindle

  • Great for beginners

  • Works best on soft materials

  • Ideal for engraving

  • Slower, lighter cuts

500W Spindle

  • Much higher cutting power

  • Better for hardwood, plastics, and more

  • Faster, deeper cuts

  • Cleaner finish

👉 The upgrade takes this from a hobby tool…

to something that can handle real projects.

Where CNC Fits in Your Workshop

Here’s how it all fits together:

  • 3D Printer → Plastic parts & prototyping

  • Laser → Thin materials & engraving

  • CNC → Strong, functional parts

CNC fills the gap where you need:

  • Strength

  • Durability

  • Real-world usability

Think:

  • Tool holders

  • Electronics enclosures

  • Props

  • Cutting boards (yes—even D&D ones)

Maker Takeaway

After testing the ACMER ASCARVA 4S, one thing is clear:

👉 CNC machines are becoming essential tools for makers.

  • Easy to assemble

  • Beginner-friendly

  • Expandable

  • Capable of real materials

And that 500W upgrade?

👉 That’s where the machine really comes alive.

Final Thoughts

At some point, every maker realizes:

“3D printing isn’t the only way to build something.”

Sometimes…

👉 You need to carve it out of something solid.

And when you do, the ACMER ASCARVA 4S is a solid entry into CNC that can grow with you.

Maker Wisdom

“The right tool doesn’t just make the job easier—it unlocks what you can create.”
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