Top 3018s
MYSWEETY GRBL 1.1f Controller Board
3-axis GRBL 1.1f · A4988 drivers · USB

MYSWEETY GRBL 1.1f Controller Board

A replacement three-axis controller in the classic 3018 layout: an Arduino Nano-class ATmega328P running GRBL 1.1f, three A4988 stepper drivers, a spindle MOSFET and ports for laser, probe, E-stop and limit switches.

  • FirmwareGRBL 1.1f
  • ProcessorATmega328P (Arduino Nano)
  • Drivers3 × A4988
  • Input24 V DC, 5.5 × 2.5 mm jack
  • SpindleMOSFET drive, 150 W, PWM speed
  • PortsLaser, probe, E-stop, X/Y/Z limits
Suits
  • Replacing a failed board on a 3018, 1610 or 1310
  • Adding probe, E-stop and limit switch ports to an older machine
  • Running a 2-pin or 3-pin laser alongside the spindle
Skip if
  • Wi-Fi or a touchscreen: a 32-bit board such as the MKS DLC32 adds them
  • A fourth axis or a rotary with its own axis
  • Stepper motors that need more than 2 A
Get it here

Back to cutting pine after a dead 3018 board

The MYSWEETY board is a like-for-like controller for the common 3018, 1610 and 1310 layout. An ATmega328P, the Arduino Nano chip, runs GRBL 1.1f; three A4988 drivers turn the steppers; a MOSFET switches the spindle; and a CH340 chip carries USB to the computer.

That is the same recipe many stock 3018 boards use, so a machine whose board has failed can go back to work with the same software and the same G-code. Candle, Universal Gcode Sender and GRBL Controller all talk to it over USB, on Windows XP to 10 or Linux.

Common reasons to fit one:

  • A burned spindle MOSFET: the spindle runs flat out or not at all, whatever the speed command.
  • A dead stepper driver: one axis buzzes or does nothing while the others move.
  • A USB port that drops out: the sender loses the machine mid-job.
  • An old board with no safety ports: this one adds E-stop, probe and three limit inputs.

The board also covers machines beyond the 3018. MYSWEETY names the 1310, 1610-PRO, 3018, 3018-PRO and 3018 MAX, all small three-axis routers with Nema17 steppers and a brushed spindle.

Before blaming the board, reseat every motor plug and check the power supply voltage under load. Loose connectors cause more 3018 faults than failed chips do.

Physical fit is rarely the problem. The board is transparent-cased and weighs 5 ounces. Most 3018 frames hold their boards on standoffs, so at worst a couple of new holes get it seated.

With a new board in, a first cut in pine or MDF confirms everything moves the right way. The 3018 basics cover machine and work coordinates if the axes need re-zeroing afterwards.

Measurements

The spec log

SpecValue
BrandMYSWEETY
FirmwareGRBL 1.1f
ProcessorATmega328P (Arduino Nano)
USB interfaceCH340 USB-serial
Axes3 (X, Y, Z)
Stepper driversA4988
Stepper current2 A maximum, 1.5 A or less recommended
Motors supportedNema17 and Nema23 steppers
Input voltage24 V DC (text also lists 12–24 V)
Power connector5.5 × 2.5 mm DC jack, power switch
Spindle driveMOSFET, current within 10 A
Spindle power150 W
Spindle speed controlPWM
Laser support3-pin and 2-pin laser modules
Limit, probe and E-stop ports2-pin each
Module and spindle ports3-pin module port, 2-pin spindle port
SoftwareGRBL Controller, Candle, Universal Gcode Sender
Operating systemsWindows XP, 7, 8, 10 and Linux
Machines named1310, 1610-PRO, 3018, 3018-PRO, 3018 MAX
In the boxController board, USB cable

A4988 drivers, a 24 V jack and a 10 A spindle MOSFET

The board's ratings decide which machines and upgrades it can run. They are modest, and they match a standard 3018 closely.

PartRatingWhat it means on a 3018
A4988 drivers2 A maximum, 1.5 A recommendedFine for 3018 Nema17s; add a fan above 1.5 A
Input24 V DC, 5.5 × 2.5 mm jackMatches the usual 3018 brick
Spindle MOSFETWithin 10 A, 150 W spindleRuns a 775 motor; not a 300–500W spindle
Speed controlPWMSpindle speed from the S word in G-code

The input voltage needs a word. The board's description says it supports only 24 V DC input, while another line lists 12–24 V. Treat 24 V as the design voltage, since that is what a standard 3018 supply delivers.

The A4988 is a simpler driver than the DRV8825 on Genmitsu's board: it microsteps to 1/16 rather than 1/32. It handles the 1.3–1.5 A that typical 3018 Nema17s draw.

  • Keep drivers cool: a small fan over the board stops thermal cut-outs on long jobs.
  • Set current carefully: the A4988 trim pot sets motor current; turn it in small steps.
  • Nema23 support: MYSWEETY lists it, but only motors within the 2 A limit.

The spindle port is sized for a 775-class motor. A 300W or 500W spindle needs its own power supply and speed controller, driven from the board's PWM signal.

Never unplug a stepper motor while the board is powered. Opening the coil circuit live can kill the driver outright.

Spindle options that suit this board sit in the 3018 upgrade order under spindles and supplies.

In the lineup

Where it lands among 3018 gear

3018 CNC machine models by type, September 2026. Highlighted: MYSWEETY GRBL 1.1f Controller Board.

Carrying the GRBL settings across to the new board

A new board arrives with GRBL's defaults, not your machine's calibration. The quickest recovery is to copy the old settings across before the old board goes in the drawer.

  1. If the old board still talks over USB, type $$ in the sender console and save the whole list to a text file.
  2. Tag each lead on the outgoing board: X, Y, Z motors, spindle, laser, limits, probe, E-stop.
  3. Swap the boards and move each plug to the matching port.
  4. Power up, connect at 115200 baud, and type $$ to see the new board's defaults.
  5. Enter your saved values one line at a time, then jog each axis a short distance to check direction and distance.

The settings that matter most on a 3018:

  • Settings 100–102: steps per millimetre for X, Y and Z. Wrong values scale every part.
  • Settings 110–112 and 120–122: maximum rates and accelerations.
  • Settings 130–132: maximum travel, used by homing and soft limits.
  • Setting 30: maximum spindle speed, which maps the S word to the PWM output.
  • Setting 32: laser mode, on for a laser and off for the spindle.
  • Setting 3: direction invert, if an axis runs backwards.

If the old board is dead and no list survives, the machine's manual usually prints its defaults. Otherwise, calibrate steps per millimetre by commanding a 100 mm move and measuring what the machine does.

A 2-pin laser connects to the white two-wire plug, marked + and S-. A 3-pin laser takes the three-pin module port.

The 3018 software rundown shows where the console sits in Candle and UGS.

Swap-ins

Three other ways to go

MYSWEETY against the Genmitsu board and a 32-bit MKS DLC32

Four boards compete to run a 3018. They split into two families: 8-bit GRBL boards that replace a stock controller directly, and 32-bit boards that add features.

BoardDriversInputExtras
MYSWEETY GRBL 1.1fA498824 VE-stop, probe, limits, 2- and 3-pin laser
Genmitsu 3018-PRO boardDRV882524 V (12–24 V)ABS case, 2- and 3-pin laser
Doesbot GRBL 1.1A498812–24 VDual-Y option, external offline controller
MKS DLC32 V232-bitNot statedWi-Fi, TS35-R LCD, offline control

Among the 8-bit boards, the differences are small. The Genmitsu board is drawn for Genmitsu machines and comes in an ABS case; the Doesbot can drive two Y motors; the MYSWEETY is the plain three-axis replacement.

The MKS DLC32 is a different step: a 32-bit board with Wi-Fi and a touchscreen in the kit. It needs more setup and suits owners who want to run jobs from a phone or a panel.

The 8-bit boards also share GRBL's limits. They run three axes, stream G-code over USB and store settings in the chip, and none adds a network or screen. For a 3018 cutting wood, plastics and PCB, that is all the machine needs.

Checks before ordering:

  • Your supply is 24 V with a 5.5 × 2.5 mm plug.
  • Your steppers draw 2 A or less.
  • Your spindle is a 775-class motor, or has its own controller.
  • You have your old $$ list, or the machine's default values.
Bench notes

Setup questions

Will the MYSWEETY board fit my 3018-PRO?

It targets the 3018, 3018-PRO and 3018 MAX layout with Nema17 steppers and a 775 spindle. Check your supply is 24 V with a 5.5 × 2.5 mm plug.

Which chip runs it?

An ATmega328P, the Arduino Nano chip, running GRBL 1.1f, with a CH340 for USB.

Can it run a laser?

Yes. It supports 3-pin lasers on the module port and 2-pin lasers on the white + S- plug.

Can it drive a 500W spindle?

Not directly. The spindle MOSFET suits a 775-class motor; a 500W spindle needs its own supply and controller fed from the PWM signal.

Do I lose my settings when I swap boards?

Yes. Save the old $$ list first, or recalibrate steps per millimetre with a measured move.