If you’ve ever used a CNC machine, you know the frustration of walking back and forth to your computer just to make small adjustments. What if you could control your machine by hand—right from a compact, handheld device?
At Makers Central 2025 in Birmingham, we met Phillip, a maker who solved this exact problem by building his own DIY CNC pendant. It’s a handheld controller that makes setting up and running CNC jobs much easier—especially if you’re working with LinuxCNC.
In this post, we’ll break down what a CNC pendant is, how Phillip built his, and how you can get one or make your own.
What Is a CNC Pendant?
A CNC pendant is a remote control for your CNC machine. It lets you move the machine’s axes, start or stop programs, adjust spindle speed, and more—without going back to the main computer.
These are usually expensive or limited in features. That’s where Phillip’s open-source CNC pendant comes in.
Meet Phillip and the Manualmatic Project
Phillip’s project is called Manualmatic, and it’s designed to give makers an affordable, easy-to-use CNC controller.
Features:
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Works with LinuxCNC
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USB connection to your CNC host computer
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Joystick to move X, Y, and Z axes manually
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Touchscreen for spindle control, mist, and flood coolant
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Manual and automatic modes
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Built for rugged workshop environments
Whether you’re milling metal or using a CNC router, this pendant makes setup and control much easier.
What’s Inside the DIY CNC Pendant?
Phillip’s design uses common maker components:
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A Teensy microcontroller (USB-compatible)
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An Adafruit 1770 touchscreen
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Custom PCB (printed circuit board)
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Open-source software for LinuxCNC
The whole unit is tough enough to handle drops and dusty workspaces. It’s built by a maker, for makers.
Can You Buy One?
Yes! Phillip sells PCBs and component kits to help others build their own CNC pendants. Since manufacturers like JLCPCB and Mouser have minimum order sizes, he often has extras available.
You can find everything you need by searching “manualmatic” on GitHub.
Why This Project Stands Out
Phillip didn’t just build this to show off—he built it because he needed it. After buying a CNC milling machine, he realized he needed a way to do prep work (like setting offsets or drilling starter holes) without buying a second machine. This pendant lets him treat his CNC like a manual mill during setup.
It’s a smart, maker-style solution that’s:
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Affordable
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Customizable
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Built on open source principles
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Beginner friendly (with community support)
Watch the Full Video Interview
We caught up with Phillip at Makers Central and got a full demo of the CNC pendant in action. Watch the video below to see how it works and how you can build or buy your own.
Want to Build One?
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Check out Manualmatic on GitHub for code, schematics, and updates
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Share your build with the maker community!
Final Thoughts
This is what the maker movement is all about—seeing a need, solving a problem, and sharing the solution with others. Whether you’re just starting with CNC or a seasoned pro, a DIY CNC pendant like this one can make your workflow faster and more enjoyable.
So why not give it a try?