Join our Monthly CNC Project Challenges!
Show off your CNC skills, compete for amazing prizes, and be part of an active, passionate community of CNC makers!
What are the CNC Project Challenges?
Each month, we invite our community of CNC enthusiasts to participate in exciting project challenges designed to inspire creativity and showcase their skills. Open to all members of the Learn Your CNC Academy Community, these challenges push the boundaries of what you can create with your CNC machine. From themed projects to specific material challenges, every month brings a new opportunity to learn, share, and win great prizes!
Learn More About the CommunityHow to Get Started
Joining our CNC Project Challenges is easy and fun! Here’s how to get started:
1. Join Learn Your CNC Academy
Our challenges are exclusive to community members. Not a member? Join Here
2. Create Your Project
Follow the guidelines for the current month’s challenge theme.
3. Submit Your Entry
Submit your completed project before the deadline.
4. Get Votes & Win Prizes
All projects will be showcased for public voting, and winners will be announced based on the total votes.
This Month's CNC Project Challenge
Ready for the latest challenge? Here's what we're focusing on this month!
Bringing Surfaces to Life: CNC Texture Challenge - January 2025
✨Theme: CNC projects with textured surfaces
⏰Deadline to enter: 1/31/2025
📩Voting Period: 2/2/2025 - 2/10/2025
🔗Voting Link: https://academy.learnyourcnc.com/vote
🏆Prizes:
🥇1st Place: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card
🥈2nd Place: LYCNC T-Shirt
🥉3rd Place: LYCNC Sticker Pack
Win Awesome Prizes!
Each month, our winners walk away with fantastic prizes, ranging from CNC tools and accessories to gift cards and exclusive Learn Your CNC merchandise. A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors who make it possible to reward our participants.
Become a Sponsor
Interested in becoming a sponsor and showcasing your products to a community of dedicated CNC makers? We’d love to collaborate! Email us at [email protected] to discuss sponsorship opportunities for upcoming challenges.
Past Sponsors:
Previous Challenges &
Hall of Fame Winners
Take a look at some of the exciting themes we’ve explored in past challenges and meet the talented makers who have conquered our past challenges and see their incredible CNC creations.
December 2024
Merry Makers: The Christmas Project Challenge
✨Theme: CNC projects celebrating the magic of Christmas
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Kevin Zufelt
🏆Prize: Vectric 3D Clipart Project Pack ($99 value)
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Charley Hall
🏆Prize: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Rodney Snoddon
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
November 2024
Grace & Gratitude: The Fall Decor Challenge
✨Theme: CNC projects celebrating the spirit of fall and Thanksgiving
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Dwight Ferguson
🏆Prize: Vectric 3D Clipart Project Pack ($99 value)
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Len Greiner
🏆Prize: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Rawls
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
September 2024
Layered Letters: The Stacked Text Challenge
✨Theme: Creating Stacked Text Signs with CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Sak
🏆Prize: Fully licensed version of Aspire software donated by Vectric (valued at $2,000)
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Bruce McCoy
🏆Prize: A free 1-hour 1:1 lesson with Kyle, your expert Vectric instructor
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Nathan Showalter
🏆Prize: $30 gift card to IDC Woodcraft
August 2024
Home Office Upgrades: Desktop Delights Challenge
✨Theme: CNC projects to enhance and organize home office desks
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Tony Duderewicz
🏆Prize: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card & LYCNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Kevin Zufelt
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Sak
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
July 2024
Patterned Perfection: CNC Chip Carving Challenge
✨Theme: CNC Chip Carving Projects
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Tony Duderewicz
🏆Prize: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card & LYCNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Kevin Zufelt
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Sak
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
June 2024
Brushstrokes & Bits: The CNC Painted Project Challenge
✨Theme: CNC projects finished with painted colors
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Dwight Ferguson
🏆Prize: $30 IDC Woodcraft Gift Card & LYCNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Robert Pastor
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Michael Jameson
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
May 2024
Digits by Design: The CNC Numbered Sign Challenge
✨Theme: Address Number Signs
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Dan Olsen
🏆Prize: CNC router bit set, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC-themed t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Marcus Pedroza'
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Charles Phelps
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
April 2024
Sketch Carving Showcase: The V12 Toolpath Project Challenge
✨Theme: Projects utilizing the new V12 Sketch Carving Toolpath
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Tony Duderewicz
🏆Prize: Cadence MFG 1/4" Downtown Jenny router bit, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Tom Pulles
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Nick Anzelino
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
March 2024
From Bits to Backyards: CNC Outdoor Challenge
✨Theme: Outdoor Creations made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Dwight Ferguson
🏆Prize: Cadence MFG 1/4" Downtown Jenny router bit, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lucky Warwick
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Tim Adams
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
February 2024
Beauty by Bits: The CNC Jewelry Challenge
✨Theme: Jewelry and Accessories made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Dwight Ferguson
🏆Prize: Cadence MFG 1/4" Downtown Jenny router bit, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Tony Gelling
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Brian Neighbor
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
January 2024
Precision Patterns: The CNC Geometric New Year's Revolution
✨Theme: Geometric Patterns made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Earnie Callender
🏆Prize: Cadence MFG 1/4" Downtown Jenny router bit, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Tobias Olsen
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Jack Lucernoni
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
December 2023
Merry Machining: The Holiday CNC Challenge
✨Theme: Christmas themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Earnie Callender
🏆Prize: Cadence MFG 1/4" Downtown Jenny router bit, LYCNC Merch Pack, Coffee Mug, & Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Thomas Dunaway
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack, Coffee Mug, & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Chris Pelletier
🏆Prize: LYCNC Coffee Mug & Sticker Pack
November 2023
Stars, Stripes, & Spindles: The Veteran's Day CNC Project Challenge
✨Theme: Veteran's Day themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Earnie Callender
🏆Prize: NEW Shaper Tace Tool, LYCNC Sticker Pack, CNC t-shirt, and a unique Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Mark Rose
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Jerry Gebhardt
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
October 2023
From GCodes to Cobwebs: October Spooktacular Challenge
✨Theme: Halloween themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Earnie Callender
🏆Prize: Andy Bird Builds 3 pack CNC bit set, LYCNC Sticker Pack, CNC t-shirt, and Custom Challenge Coin.
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Tim Adams
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Chris Pelletier
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
September 2023
Machine to Mealtime: The Kitchen Project Challenge
✨Theme: Kitchen themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Sak
🏆Prize: Andy Bird Builds 3 pack CNC bit set, LYCNC Sticker Pack, CNC t-shirt, and Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Rodney Carpenter
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack & CNC t-shirt
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Steve Barnett
🏆Prize: LYCNC Sticker Pack
May 2023
Mother's Day Project Challenge
✨Theme: Mother's Day themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Earnie Callender
🏆Prize: LYCNC Merch Pack & Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Alfred Floyd
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Chris Pelletier
April 2023
Get Organized Project Challenge
✨Theme: Organization themed projects made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Grant Wilkinson
🏆Prize: LYCNC Merch Pack & Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Mark Przybyszewski
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Rodney Carpenter
March 2023
What time is it? Project Challenge
✨Theme: Clocks made with a CNC
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Paul Schaeffer
🏆Prize: LYCNC Merch Pack & Custom Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Grant Wilkinson
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lester Sak
February 2023
Project of Love Challenge
✨Theme: Valentine's Day Themed Projects
🥇1st PLACE
🔨Maker: Brian Mahlan
🏆Prize: LYCNC Merch Pack & Custom Gold Challenge Coin
🥈2nd PLACE
🔨Maker: Lars Coleman
🥉3rd PLACE
🔨Maker: David Chamberlain
Hear from Our Challenge Participants!
Our monthly challenges are more than just a competition—they’re a chance to learn, grow, and connect with other CNC enthusiasts. Here's what some of our participants have to say:
Mark Rose
It is an honor to have been selected from so many great projects. I will wear the LYCNC T-shirt with pride.
Dec 4, 2023
Rodney Carpenter
Thank you for the prize! It is really appreciated.
May 27, 2024
Marcus Pedroza
Thank you! Really appreciate the swag!!
June 14, 2024
Ready to Join the Fun?
Become a member of the Learn Your CNC Academy Community and start participating in our monthly challenges today. Hone your skills, win prizes, and connect with fellow CNC enthusiasts!
JOIN NOW
General Challenge FAQs
Who can participate?
How are winners chosen?
Do I need to be a CNC expert to join?
How do I submit my project?
For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ Page.
Sponsor FAQs
How can I become a sponsor for the CNC Project Challenge?
What are the benefits of sponsoring a CNC Project Challenge?
Is there a sponsorship fee?
For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ Page.
Still Have Questions?
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the CNC Project Challenges or Learn Your CNC Academy here: [email protected]