How Good?

[PJBlue]

Hello Everyone,

I am a retired person from the Aerospace industry, now teaching at a university. I am interested in purchasing a USA made machine. I am looking at the Desktop Max with the high speed spindle and vac system. I am also currently evaluating a Cam Master as well with the same items. I know this is a Shop Bot forum but, I would like to get an honest opinion of how well the Shop Bot is built and is there anything I have to be worried about on long running jobs. I do work in 3D as a hobby, not a business situation.

I just need some help on which to purchase.

Any help would be appreciated.

[ken_rychlik]

I wish shopbot offered a 24x48 moving gantry machine. They have one with a moving table, but I don't care for that when dealing with vac hold down. I have had 3 shopbots and now run a 9648 machine with the win cnc controller like the other one you mention. The win cnc is a more robust controller and has never failed me. The shopbot community is hard to beat as far as any help needed. Search for comm error on the shopbot site and it will scare you. There are positives and negatives both ways really. Great people on both forums. I would give shopbot an edge when talking customer support. Either machine will do fine for hobby work and either is easy to sell used.

[PJBlue]

Thanks so much for your advice. I do need to make a decision, as both have year end discounts. I have listed my current Axiom Elite 8 on Craigslist. It is sold in the U.S. but, it is a Chinese machine. I just want a machine built in the U.S.

[bobmoore]

I am not familiar with either model you are looking at but I have been very happy with my shopbot and customer service is great.

[JimmyD]

There are many good things about both brands. There are issues with both brands. Before you spend your money do some searches on both, or other, forums for issues.

Here's a place to start reading and form your own opinion. Good luck.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/sho...r-Modification

[scottp55]

Desktop and Max are pretty much identical on accuracy and detail, as the components are close to identical.
Support has been Fantastic for me personally...and then all the Forum help I got was Great getting started!
This is work with an old Desktop with only a single Y ballscrew.
You mentioned 3D...click on pic twice and zoom
Accuracy and repeatability are excellent!
scott