Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Compass is an open-source handheld CNC router that helps a person guide a cut along a digital path. Four optical-flow sensors track movement across the work surface; a Teensy 4.1 estimates the tool’s position and orientation and drives corrections. The operator still holds and moves the router. It is neither a magnetic compass nor an autonomous machine, and its Dremel 3000 is intended for light work rather than heavy stock removal.
What Compass is—and what it is not
Most CNC routers move a cutting tool on a fixed gantry over a workpiece. Compass reverses that arrangement: the user moves a compact router by hand, while electronics help keep its cut aligned with a programmed route. It is a human-guided, electronically assisted CNC tool, not a machine that starts a job and moves around on its own.
The project name does not refer to magnetic navigation. Compass uses optical-flow sensors to track motion over the material. Its appeal is the combination of hands-on movement and digital path correction, particularly when a panel or work surface is too large or awkward for a conventional CNC bed.
How the tracking and correction work
Four optical sensors measure movement
The described design uses four PMW3360DM optical navigation sensors, a class of sensor also used in gaming mice. Each reads changes in the surface passing beneath it. Because the sensors are spaced apart on the router body, their readings can be combined to estimate both translation and rotation. That explanation follows from the project’s four-sensor arrangement and rigid-body pose-estimation approach; it is not a separate performance guarantee.
#1 Best Overall
- Smart and Affordable Desktop CNC Machine: Carvera Air is a smart and affordable desktop CNC machine designed for makers, hobbyists, and small workshops. Mill, carve, and engrave with ease using our intuitive Makera CAM software for creating prototypes, custom parts, jewelry, electronics projects, and DIY crafts
- Compact Size with Professional Workspace: Carvera Air features a 11.8" x 7.9" x 5.1" work area for detailed CNC machining while maintaining a compact fully enclosed footprint of 19.7" x 17.7" x 17.7". The enclosed design helps reduce noise, contain chips and dust, and improve safety for home workshops, desktops, maker spaces, labs, and small studios
- Quick Tool Changer Switch Tools in 10 Seconds: Speed up your workflow with the built-in quick tool changing system. Change milling bits in just 10 seconds, making multi-step machining faster and easier for CNC jobs that require multiple tools such as engraving, drilling, and cutting in a single project. Spend less time setting up and more time creating
- High Precision CNC with Auto Probing & Leveling: Carvera Air is designed for industrial-level accuracy in a desktop CNC machine. Spindle runout < 0.0004in, Motor resolution 0.0002in, automatic probing and surface leveling. The system automatically calibrates your workpiece, ensuring accurate cuts even on uneven materials for precision parts, PCB milling, and detailed engraving
- Smart CNC Control with Cross-Platform Software: Control your CNC machine easily with Wi-Fi or USB connectivity. Makera CAM software supports MacOS and Windows. Makera Controller compatibility includes iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Carvera Air also integrates with popular CAD/CAM software including Fusion360, SolidWorks, and VCarve Pro for both beginners and professional makers
The sensors do not identify a location from GPS, a magnetic heading, or camera-based landmarks. They infer incremental movement from the observed surface. Optical tracking therefore depends on getting usable sensor readings as the tool moves.
The Teensy estimates the tool’s pose
A Teensy 4.1 reads the sensor data and uses rigid-body dynamics calculations to estimate the handheld unit’s position and orientation. From that estimate, the system determines where the Dremel is relative to the programmed path and operates the correction mechanism. It also updates the built-in display, which shows the router’s position relative to the intended route. The controller’s central role is real-time sensing, estimation and correction—not independently planning and executing the entire job.
Multiple sensor locations matter because a single measurement point can indicate movement at that point but cannot, by itself, distinguish all movement of the body from rotation around it. Readings from separated sensors provide information about how the body is turning as well as translating, helping estimate the cutter’s location.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What physically cuts the material
The described Compass build uses a Dremel 3000 in a 3D-printed body, with a dust-collection connection and a three-axis correction mechanism. A compact rotary tool makes the package portable, but it is not equivalent to a full-size router or spindle in cutting power. Dust extraction also matters to operation: chips and dust can affect the optical sensing area and moving parts, as well as create workshop exposure.
What using Compass involves
The workflow remains human-in-the-loop. The operator prepares a design through a CAD/CAM process, sets up and secures the workpiece, positions the router, and guides it approximately along the programmed route. The display provides positional feedback while the correction mechanism compensates for ordinary hand deviation. The operator remains responsible for setup, tool handling and stopping safely.
- Prepare the job: Create or import the design and establish the intended cut through the applicable CAD/CAM workflow.
- Set up the work: Secure the material, check the cutting tool and keep the sensor area and work surface clear of debris.
- Position and start: Place the unit on the material and start the tool and tracking system in accordance with the project’s current instructions.
- Guide the router: Move the tool along the programmed route at a controlled pace, using the display as positional feedback.
- Stop if conditions change: If the position indication becomes implausible, the stock shifts, or the cut behaves unexpectedly, stop cutting before attempting to reposition or resume.
The project material cited here establishes the display-feedback concept, but does not provide a verified current operating manual with confirmed menu labels, button sequences or recovery commands. Those controls should be taken from current project documentation rather than guessed.
Rank #2
- Smart and Affordable Desktop CNC Machine: Carvera Air is a precise and versatile desktop CNC mill for milling, carving, and engraving. Easy to use with user-friendly software. Endless Materials | Quick Tool Changer | Auto Probing and Leveling | Optional 4th Axis and Laser supported | All-in-one CAM Software
- 4th Axis Module for Expanded Capabilities: The 4th axis module expands your capabilities, enabling cylindrical machining, double-sided objects, and 3D shapes. With a rotary work area of 3.6 inch diameter x 7.9 inch length (9.2cm x 20cm), Carvera Air supports true 4th-axis simultaneous machining for crafting detailed 3D models
- Quick Tool Changer for Efficient Workflow: Speed up your workflow with the quick tool changer, switching tools in just 10 seconds. Whether milling wood, plastics, or metals, transitions between tools are seamless for advanced multi-step projects
- Precision Auto-Probing and Leveling System: With auto-probing and leveling, Carvera Air ensures precise calibration and flawless cuts on uneven materials. The closed-loop spindle control (0-13,000 RPM) and spindle runout less than 0.01mm guarantee exceptional accuracy and surface quality, even for high-complexity machining
- Cross-Platform Software Compatibility: Operate your CNC effortlessly with WiFi or USB connectivity. The intuitive Makera CAM software supports Mac OS and Windows; The Controller supports iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, and integrates with popular CAD/CAM tools such as Fusion360, SolidWorks, and VCarve Pro
How accurate is it?
The project’s academic demo abstract reports that the original prototype consistently achieved less than 1% error and was frequently closer to 0.1% per distance traveled. Those are project-reported prototype results, not an independent certification, a commercial tolerance, or a guarantee for every material and operation. A percentage of travel is not the same as a universal tolerance such as ±0.1 mm.
Tracking error and finished-cut accuracy are also different measurements. A correctly estimated tool position does not eliminate bit runout, tool or housing flex, workpiece movement, calibration error, feed-rate effects or vibration. The available report does not establish that the stated tracking figures apply universally to routing as opposed to other tests.
Incremental optical-flow estimates can accumulate error over distance, particularly if surface information is inconsistent. Hackaday raised the question of long-distance performance without the reference markers used by Shaper Origin; the available project coverage does not settle that question for every job. Treat accuracy as dependent on the actual surface, setup and cut, and test the intended operation on scrap before relying on it for a finished piece.
Where the design fits—and where it does not
Good candidates for a handheld approach
Compass’s strongest case is work that benefits from portability and a large effective work area rather than high cutting force. Examples include engraving, sign work, shallow decorative routing, educational demonstrations, large panels and awkward in-place woodworking where a conventional machine’s bed is a constraint.
Material and surface are separate questions
A tool may be able to cut a material while its sensors struggle to track across that material. Optical flow generally needs a visible surface pattern and a suitable sensor-to-surface spacing. The project sources do not provide a definitive compatibility table, so glossy, transparent, translucent, very dark, highly repetitive, dusty or textureless surfaces should not be assumed to track reliably. Uneven stock, seams, holes, edges, clamps and loose chips can also change sensor conditions or interrupt movement readings.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For cutting, the Dremel-based arrangement is best regarded as light-duty. Deep pocketing, fast production routing, thick hardwood removal and heavy aluminum machining demand more power and rigidity than this compact design is meant to provide. Bit selection, depth of cut, feed rate and operator handling all affect the result.
Rank #3
- READY TO CREATE OUT OF THE BOX: Skip the lengthy assembly of traditional CNC kits. Cubiko comes pre-assembled and is designed for beginners, helping you move from unboxing to your first CNC project faster with a simpler setup and learning experience.
- ENCLOSED FOR DESKTOP CNC PROJECTS: The integrated enclosure helps contain chips and debris while reducing operating noise, making Cubiko better suited for home workshops and maker spaces. Opening the cover automatically pauses operation for added protection during use.
- EASIER AUTO Z-PROBING SETUP: Spend less time manually finding the Z-zero point. Enter your material thickness and Cubiko automatically sets the tool height, simplifying one of the most important setup steps before engraving, carving, and milling.
- SMART SURFACE MAPPING FOR PCB MILLING: Cubiko measures multiple points across the work surface and compensates for small height variations during machining, helping maintain more consistent engraving depth for PCB traces and other precision projects on uneven surfaces.
- VERSATILE MATERIALS & FLEXIBLE CONTROL: Create projects in wood, acrylic, PCB, plastics, and suitable soft metals with ±0.1 mm positioning accuracy. Control Cubiko through the Genmitsu App, WiFi, compatible PC software, or offline control for a flexible desktop CNC workflow.
Practical limits to plan around
- Dust and chips: Keep the work and sensor apertures clean, and use extraction appropriate to the material. Extraction is a functional part of the setup, not just a convenience.
- Workholding: A large CNC bed may not be needed, but the workpiece still has to be secured. A powered router can pull or shift loose stock.
- Tool and structure flex: Tracking cannot compensate for deflection in the bit, spindle, body or workpiece.
- Edges and height changes: Gaps, abrupt surface transitions and changing sensor height may disrupt tracking or make the tool harder to guide.
- Correction travel and speed: The available sources do not establish operating limits for correction travel or maximum hand-guiding speed; avoid assuming the system can handle any pace or deviation.
Compass, Shaper Origin and a gantry CNC compared
| Criterion | Compass | Shaper Origin | Gantry CNC router |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion and guidance | Human moves the router; optical-flow tracking and correction guide it along a digital path. | Commercial handheld CNC; Hackaday describes optical tracking with fiducial markers. | Machine moves the tool on fixed motorized axes within its work envelope. |
| Controller and architecture | Teensy 4.1-based open-source design with four PMW3360 sensors. | Commercial integrated product; a Teensy-based architecture is not established. | Conventional motorized-axis CNC controller; exact architecture varies by machine. |
| Cutting tool | Dremel 3000 in the described design. | Purpose-built commercial handheld CNC router. | Router or spindle, depending on machine. |
| Openness and setup | Open-source project files; self-build entails fabrication, electronics, assembly and calibration. | Commercial product ecosystem and turnkey-oriented setup. | Varies by machine; generally requires machine setup and workholding. |
| Work area and power | Can be guided over large or awkward surfaces, but the compact tool limits material removal. | Handheld format; product-specific capabilities are not detailed here. | Limited by the machine’s bed or work envelope, with cutting capability depending on its router or spindle. |
| Availability | Official site says Compass CNC V1 kit sales have been discontinued; project files remain presented as open source. | Relevant commercial comparison; consult the official vendor for current availability and specifications. | Depends on the selected machine. |
| Best fit | DIY experimentation, education, portability and light routing. | Readers seeking a finished handheld CNC product and its commercial ecosystem. | Repeatability, higher-throughput work and jobs that benefit from a fixed, more powerful machine. |
Compass is not a drop-in substitute for Shaper Origin: they differ in productization, support expectations and architecture. Nor does a handheld design replace a conventional router when deep or rapid material removal is the priority. Choose by the work and the amount of fabrication you are willing to take on, not by the shared handheld-CNC idea alone.
Can you buy or build Compass now?
As of August 16, 2026, the official Compass site says sales of the Compass CNC V1 Kit have been discontinued. It gives the reason as an amicable resolution of a dispute with Shaper Tools concerning allegations of patent infringement. The site continues to present the project’s designs, firmware and electronics as open source, so the discontinued kit should not be mistaken for an ended open-source project.
A self-build may be possible, but open files do not guarantee that every part is readily available or that the build is reproducible without additional work. The documented system includes a Teensy 4.1, four PMW3360 optical sensors, custom electronics, sensor mounts and optical windows, a 3D-printed housing, a three-axis correction mechanism, a display, a power system, mechanical hardware, dust connection and a Dremel 3000 or compatible rotary tool. It also requires assembly, calibration and a suitable CAD/CAM workflow. Check the project’s current repository and documentation for the actual files, parts and build state before committing to a fabrication plan.
Recommended Free Tools
The most relevant commercial alternative is Shaper Origin, but its current US price and detailed specifications are not established here. Check the official product information before comparing costs. The project repository is at github.com/camchaney/handheld-cnc.
Safety and fault response
Compass remains a powered rotary cutting tool. Electronic path correction is not a substitute for guarding, workholding, safe tool technique or an emergency-stop plan. Wear eye and hearing protection, use dust extraction and respiratory protection appropriate to the material, keep hands clear of the cutter, and test conservative depth and feed settings on scrap. The project name’s “Teensy” refers to the microcontroller; it is not a recommendation that minors operate the machine. Youth use requires adult supervision and appropriate guarding.
Stop cutting if tracking looks implausible, the workpiece moves, the tool stalls or overheats, the correction mechanism appears to run out of travel, or the cut differs from the intended path. Disable or lift the cutter before repositioning. Then check sensor windows and the work surface, re-secure the material, re-establish the work coordinates, test movement without cutting and make a shallow scrap test. Resume only when displayed and physical positions agree. Exact stop, reset and recalibration controls depend on the current firmware and documentation; do not infer button sequences.
Quick Recap
Sources and further details
- Hackaday’s February 23, 2025 overview of Compass
- PJRC’s technical description of the handheld CNC and sensor approach
- Project academic demo abstract and reported prototype results
- Official Compass project and kit-status page
- Shaper Tools official site
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
Leave a Reply