From Garage to Greatness: How the SYIL X5 Powers Luke Marsden’s Custom Gear Knob Creations
Precision, performance, and passion — see how one UK machinist is turning heads (and gears) with the SYIL X5.
Every machinist has that one customer who’s a bit of a knob — but in this case, that’s actually a compliment.
Meet Luke Marsden, a talented UK machinist crafting custom precision gear knobs for some of the world’s most prestigious cars. And at the heart of his setup? The SYIL X5, a compact, high-speed CNC milling machine that delivers serious performance without the heavy price tag.
Precision Power in a Compact Package
Luke’s SYIL X5 setup is a perfect showcase of what modern CNC technology can do for small, high-precision businesses. His machine is equipped with:
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20,000 rpm direct-drive spindle – Offering incredible cutting performance and flawless surface finishes.
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36 m/min rapid traverse – Keeping production fast and efficient from prototype to final part.
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Full SCHNEEBERGER Switzerland mineral casting – Providing outstanding rigidity, vibration damping, and thermal stability.
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Integrated 120 mm 4th axis – Enabling true simultaneous 4-axis machining for complex, curved surfaces.
The result? Impeccable, custom-machined components that look as good as they perform — all produced on a machine designed to be as accessible as it is capable.
Affordable Precision for Modern Makers
The SYIL X5 brings industrial-grade capability to startups, workshops, and independent makers alike. With its compact footprint and high-end components, it’s a powerful entry point into serious CNC machining — without the overheads of larger machines.
For Luke, that means the freedom to experiment, scale, and deliver on his vision — all from his own workshop.
“The SYIL X5 has been rock-solid. It’s compact, fast, and punches way above its price point.” — Luke Marsden
Supporting the Next Generation of Makers
At SYIL CNC UK, we’re proud to support customers like Luke who are redefining what’s possible with accessible, high-precision CNC machines.
From one-off projects to scaling small-batch production, the SYIL X5 delivers the speed, accuracy, and reliability today’s innovators demand.
Learn more about the SYIL X5: uk.syil.com/x5