Very easily, yes. In fact, show me ANY points made "by hand" that are sharper & cleaner than points cut with CNC.
Do you understand the differences between CNC and panto mills? Both have 3 axis of movement (CNC can have more), up down, in out, left right. Both use the same spindles with the same cutting bits. Both have patterns that dictate their limit of movement. Both make a pocket in the cue and an inlay to fit. The CNC has automated movement. The panto is moved manually. The CNC has a digital pattern. Pantos have physical patterns. Both machines, once that pattern is created, replicate the inlay an infinite number of times & does it fast. Creating the pattern is what consumes time, with either machine. The major difference is the complexity of pattern that can be achieved. CNC is virtually limitless. Pantos are limited to very basic, sometimes crude, elementary shapes. Further more, it's IMPOSSIBLE to create exactly perfect patterns for a panto mill without the aid of CNC. I'd estimate 95%+ patterns are actually created on CNC, for pantos. You can technically create patterns for the panto, but they will be left to the mercy of your personal craftsmanship & human error, and limited to only the most crude & simple shapes. If you want better patterns, you'll have to get them made on a CNC.
Pantos are cheaper than CNC and only require the builder to understand the machine to create inlays. CNC requires the builder to learn computer controls, programming, and a knowledge of the actuators & controls that automate the mill movement. Therefore, a panto is a great way for a newer builder to enter the craft of inlaying. You don't have a huge learning curve, but you are also limited in your capabilities. There are infinitely more designs that can be created with CNC than with pantos. If all you ever want to do is diamond & oval inlays, a panto would be just fine. If you want to expand, then CNC in the ONLY way. You can ONLY create intricate pieces of abstract & fine cue art via inlays, with a CNC. This is fact, not opinion, and every actual cue maker understands it. Nobody has ever said using a panto is wrong. In fact, some buyers really enjoy seeing what guys like Ron Haley can do with a panto. But discrediting the use of CNC because it has automated movement is naive. That same logic is cruise control vs. using the foot pedal. That's the only difference.
But don't take my word for it. Go buy your machines & learn for yourself. Inlay some cues with your panto mill using patterns that you created, not patterns that came with the machine. If you use patterns that come with the machine, then CNC played a role in your cue and that is BAD according to your "opinion". So make your own patterns & be sure to show us all how artistic & sharp & perfectly even those inlays & points are. As you can tell, i'm being sarcastic. I know better because I have experience & understand that those notions are nonsense. You do not yet have that experience based knowledge. Until you do have, you'll just continue to think i'm an asshole who got his feathers ruffled over your "opinion". But once you actually build some cues & get that experience, realize what's actually possible & what's not, then you'll be singing a different tune. Me nor anybody else wants you to fail or wishes bad on you. I wish you luck just as everybody else does.
