I have a PRT96 I bought new from SB in April 2001. I have an interested buyer who has s different idea what it is worth than I do. This person has never operated a cnc tool, ShopBot or other, but he has excellent ideas how to use it, he's a great woodworker, and I think he catches on quickly to new concepts.
He is concerned that the v3.30 control board and serial port with computer running DOS 6.22 (he has no DOS experience either) will become obsolete. He doesn't want to have to design on a windows machine and copy to diskette, and carry it to the control computer and install it, like I have the whole time I have used it. Again he is concerned that diskettes will become obsolete and then he will have to upgrade, or, or... He also doesn't want to use a different computer for design than running the bot.
Please understand I am not dissing him at all. I like and respect him. I hear his concerns and I think they are valid, at least from his perspective.
ShopBot tells me that a 4g control board upgrade for $1500 will do away with the serial port and provide USB ports. It will also, as I understand it, include newer stepper drivers and will run on ANY Windows OS. I think this accurately describes the machine and cost of upgrades to make it do things the way he wants it to. I have and will give him what ever help, support, training I can since he is within 25 miles of me.
I think the machine is worth at least $ 3,500, perhaps as much as $ 5,000. At $ 3,500 with the 4g upgrade that puts it to $ 5,000 and it will be a configuration that he will find acceptable. If he went for the RBK upgrade for $ 2,600 he would, as I understand it, have the latest control software in the sealed box and new servo loop motors. I was told it would be as close to the latest machines out there except it won't have the extruded aluminum gantries and the better braced table (which I think we could brace ourselves).
Am I as way out of bounds in my thinking as I am verbose? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
And it someone is interested in this machine, maybe we could talk if this fella decides he doesn't want it, tho I am considering keeping it. I haven't used it much due to Life's little interruptions and now I've gotten fired up having recently set it up and run it...
Apologies for the tome... Just trying to be comprehensive... Thanks in advance for any thoughts, help.