A WorkBee gives you the freedom of having no limits – turn digital designs into products in just a few hours
Tired of being limited by what you can make by hand? The WorkBee Z1+ combines an ultra-rigid screw-driven system with intuitive software, so you can automate tedious cuts, offer new types of products, and scale your production without working 80-hour weeks.
(All Parts)
Based Support
Join 5,000+ workshops turning
digital designs into profit every day
Are your most profitable ideas… stuck in a notebook?
Your creativity is outpacing your hands. Doing everything manually puts a ceiling on what you can build. Your best ideas are trapped on paper, stopping you from launching the high-margin designs you know your customers would love.
The Old Way
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Shelving your best ideas because they cannot be cut manually.
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Wasting hours on the same cuts by hand.
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Restricting supply due to a lack of time.
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Settling for basic designs that don't command a premium price.
The WorkBee Way
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Effortlessly cut intricate designs.
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Automate all of your repetitive batch cutting.
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Confidently scale up and accept more orders.
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Launch premium-priced products that maximise your profit.
CHOOSE THE ULTIMATE BUNDLE
All the functionality you need to turn digital designs into profit.
Includes: Mafell Router Head, Router Mount, Dust Shoe, Touch Probe, Router Bit Set, Surfacing Bit
Versatility
Master any material and bring your most ambitious projects to life.
Don’t limit your business to just woodworking. The WorkBee is engineered to handle diverse materials up to 44mm thick. On the WorkBee you can confidently cut:
- Hardwood & Softwood
- MDF & Plywood
- Plastic & Acrylic
- Foam & Composite
- Aluminium & Soft Metal
Accuracy
Enjoy flawless products with a ±0.1mm lead screw drive system.
The WorkBee uses an industrial lead screw drive system which eliminates the guesswork of manual routing.
It delivers identical, flawless cuts time after time, ensuring your 100th product looks just as perfect as your very first.
Modular
Up to a 4' x 4’ working area, so your creativity is never limited by size.
The WorkBee can handle sheets up to 4′ x 4’, giving you the physical space to dream bigger and produce faster. Whether you are cutting one massive shop sign or nesting fifty products into a single sheet, you can maximise your material usage and cut production time.
(Need to go bigger? You can easily process full 8′ x 4′ sheets using standard CAM software tiling functions!)
From your first unboxing to your 1,000th cut, we’re with you every step of the way
“The customer service is amazing giving a very personal feel to the process… Without Ooznest I don’t think I would be enjoying the WorkBee CNC Machine as much as I am.”
“This company is definitely suited to the absolute beginner… I’d read the after-sales support was excellent, and they lived up to it. Only praise!!”
“…my WorkBee experience has been great and the machine’s been reliable despite my efforts to break it… I can’t give 6 stars despite the team being worthy of more.”
Partnering in your success
Rapid ROI
Built to pay for
itself fast.
Average cost less than £2,500, easily secure a professional tool that turns a profit from day one.
Total Independence
Master Your Own Workshop.
Self-build machine, so you learn every bolt, giving you the confidence to maintain your own setup.
Zero Lock-In
No expensive proprietary parts.
Built using standard extrusion system parts, ensuring no costly replacements down the line.
Expert UK Support
Lifetime help when
you need it.
Get direct help from the designers and never let a technical hitch stop your production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a beginner use a WorkBee?
Absolutely. The WorkBee is designed to be approachable for complete beginners. It ships with clear step-by-step assembly guides, and our UK-based team is on hand to help you through your very first cuts.
For the smoothest experience, we highly recommend beginners purchase one of the CAM software packages we offer with their machine. Because our support team knows this software inside out, it allows us to provide you with the absolute best, most effective guidance as you learn the ropes.
Is the WorkBee suitable for a business?
Yes. Many of our customers run profitable businesses on their WorkBee, from custom signage to furniture and prototyping. Its repeatable accuracy and rugged build make it ideal for reliable small-batch production.
Please note: Businesses must conduct their own independent risk assessments and implement appropriate safety measures prior to use.
Is the WorkBee suitable for education?
Yes. The WorkBee is an excellent teaching tool for educational environments, from design technology classrooms to university engineering labs. It gives students hands-on experience with real-world CAD/CAM software and manufacturing principles in a highly approachable format.
Please note: Educational institutions must conduct their own independent risk assessments and implement appropriate safety measures prior to use.
Does the WorkBee come with a warranty?
Yes. Every WorkBee comes with a 1-year warranty covering all parts, backed by lifetime UK-based support from the team that designed the machine.
What is included with the WorkBee?
Your WorkBee kit includes the full mechanical frame, lead screws, motors, electronics and control board, wiring and all the fixings you need.
While accessories like routers and dust shoes are available as individual extras, we highly recommend choosing one of our accessory bundles when you configure your machine. This is the easiest way to ensure you have all the accessories ready to go right out of the box.
Please note: We do not supply the MDF spoilboard or workpiece clamps, and you will need to source a suitable extraction system if you use a dust shoe.
What software does the WorkBee require?
To run your WorkBee, you will need two types of software overall: CAD/CAM software to design your parts and create the cutting toolpaths, and Control software to send those instructions to the machine.
For the Control Software, our proprietary WorkBee Control is included and pre-installed on the machine, so you are ready to start running jobs immediately.
For the CAD/CAM Software, both free and paid options are available. However, we strongly recommend choosing one of the software packages we sell alongside the machine, as this ensures complete compatibility and allows our team to offer you the best possible support.
Should I choose Wifi or Ethernet?
The right connectivity option depends entirely on your workspace setup and signal strength.
Choose the Wifi version if you have a strong, reliable Wifi signal directly where the machine will be operating.
Choose the Ethernet version if your Wifi signal is weak or non-existent, or if you plan to have a dedicated computer stationed next to the WorkBee at all times.
Please note: The Ethernet option connects directly from the Ethernet port on your computer straight to the machine, an internet connection is not required.
WorkBee Router Head vs Mafell FM 1000?
The right choice depends entirely on your workshop environment and how heavily you plan to run the machine.
Choose the Mafell FM 1000 if you plan on prolonged, continuous use or if noise is a primary concern. It is a purpose-designed milling motor that operates at under 71dB(A), making it significantly quieter and more robust for heavy daily operation.
Choose the WorkBee Router Head if you are running shorter, intermittent jobs and noise levels are not a strict limitation for your workspace.
What are the WorkBee system requirements?
The WorkBee Control software is entirely browser-based, meaning you can operate the machine from any modern Windows, macOS, or Linux device. However, please note that the CAM software packages we sell are strictly Windows-only. No high-end hardware is required for the CAM software.
How loud is the WorkBee?
In normal operation, the machine typically produces a noise level between ~70 and 100dB. The exact volume will depend entirely on the material you are cutting, the RPM used, the type of cut being made, and your choice of router.
If noise is a primary concern for your workspace, we highly recommend choosing the Mafell FM 1000, which is purpose-designed to operate significantly quieter than standard options.
How long to assemble the WorkBee?
Most customers complete the build over a weekend. With our detailed guides and videos, even first-time builders manage comfortably, and the assembly requires no special tools.
A British Company you can rely on
During our early days supplying mechanical components, we noticed small businesses desperately needing a capable CNC machine that was not an underpowered toy or an overpriced industrial rig.
To fill that void, our founder designed the WorkBee right here in the UK. As a company built on old-school philosophies, we do what’s right for you and are ready to support you 5 weeks or 5 years from now.
By the numbers
- 13 Years in Business
- 9 Years Supplying CNC Machines
- 5,000+ WorkBees Sold
- Designed & Packed in the UK
- 4.8/5 Trustpilot Rating
Unlock the products you never thought you could make
Here’s how Dean did it
Dean had an ambitious concept for a premium wooden cafe racer balance bike, but the complex interlocking frame parts and precise joints made it physically impossible to complete by hand.
The WorkBee removed that barrier. “The WorkBee has completely changed the way I work. It’s made my projects faster, easier, and more accurate, giving me more time to focus on designing and making new things. It’s opened up possibilities that would have been far more time-consuming to achieve by hand,” says Dean (@dean_makes).
Ready to turn your digital designs into profit in a matter of hours?
Configure your WorkBee today and finally unlock the freedom to automate your cuts, expand your product line, and take your time back.
- Cut any material: From delicate foams and hardwoods to carbon fibre and aluminium, giving you the power to say "YES!" to any idea.
- Rapid ROI: With an average setup costing less than £2,500, your WorkBee is built to pay for itself in just a few production runs.
- 5-Star support: Get lifetime help directly from the UK-based team who designed the machine, so you always have an expert in your corner.
1-Year Warranty (All Parts)
Lifetime UK-Based Support
Still have questions? Let’s chat
Pick a time below for a free, 15-minute consultation. No high-pressure sales, just honest advice from the team that built the machine to make sure it will be a fit for you.