Quick decision to buy

[shoeshine]

I should also throw in that, regardless of the configuration you choose, you will not regret opting for a shopbot.

The software integration, ease of use, customer support, and yes, this forum, are all great features that led me to choose shopbot over any other solution even remotely in this price range. (I did near a year of research before pulling the trigger)

[mitch_prest]

another thing to think about when deciding router or spindle is the warm up time. It is unlikely your students are going to want to do the warm up and cool down procedure needed to get the spindle bearing to last...

[jim_ludi]

About the cam clamps, I got mine from David Buchsbaum. They work well. Here's a link to the cam information:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/mes...tml?1227581279

[shoeshine]

hmmn just thinking out loud here, but a plotter pen from widgetworks might be a great $40 investment. show your class how the bot moves without having the router/spindle turned on.

[rb99]

Get a used one for $8000?

RIB

[mitchjr]

Zach...Zach...Zach........

First it is nice to hear that Craig is going to crack open the wallet and allow you to finally spend some money.

#1 I think when you were up at my school looking at my bot, you were saying that you could only fit a 48 x 48 machine. This being the reason for not even considering the larger model....If this in not the case, I would indeed go with the larger bot.

#2 The router is loud and annoying. I am lucky that i have the back room where I can shut the door and still run a class in the front room. However, We did budget for the spindle for next year because my ears are getting old and according to my boss. by law, we are not permitted to wear hearing protection in case of an emergency that would occur in the lab with the students.

#3 The indexer ??? This is not a very useful tool at all and you would be wasting the money!!!

#4 Tooling......I now get my tooling from Burchett. Their tapered ballnose bits are about $26 each. They are 3 flute, sharp as hell and are like the energizer bunny. They keep going and going. Plus he gives a 10% discount to schools. This way you can order what you want and need. I think you already have a good supply to start with anyway. Call me on this one.

#5 Wait one second. Did you say Indexer??? Without a doubt you MUST get the indexer.....This has opened up so many new roads for our classes. This tool will make you and the students think, but once you do a few, it is really easy. I know you have the Model Master and this indexer will work a little different. It is the same thinking, but the process is much different in some cases. The post processor does not INDEX. and you will need to manually move the B axis with the K command to degree you want. Maybe Ted will work on a new post for that. I would order extra angle braces and angle iron brackets from SB to mount the indexer as I did mine. It looks neat and the color matches the table. Not a big deal to most shops, but you know how it is when the administration starts walking around the school. DO NOT PASS ON THE INDEXER AT THIS TIME. YOU WILL BE SORRY.

#6 vacuum table....well you saw mine. Works great and allows me to use the clamps as well. Best of both worlds. I still have the files to cut the pattern and if needed I will dig them out for you.

#7 Software...well you know how much I like ArtCam and you saw the things we can do with it. We have JewlSmith 2009, Mastercam, Solidworks and Aspire 2.5x. I would strongly advise you to contact Tony or Brian at vectric.com. I am finding my students and myself using Aspire more than any other software. Aspire is very very powerful and it will make using the indexer a little less stressful........ok maybe a lot less stressful.

Finally....could you please tell Diane that FC did the demo of our machine for you. Our school will get a little kick for some new tools.

[mitchjr]

One more thing.....

Do not get a used machine. There are many good used machines out there, but If something does go wrong, You know how the administration will feel. No money to fix, no warranty equals no machine working in the lab.

[jim_ludi]

More thoughts,

Chris mentioned the plotter pen, which brings up the idea of using the bot for graphic arts and design which greatly expands its utility in an educational environmet. An example of an artist using a ShopBot to expand his creative possibilities can be found at http://mlyon.com/. Mike's very creative and productive. So, basically, I agree with Chris - get some pens. And, if you think you might want to add gadgets to the bot that need to be controlled by the software you'll want to get a ShopBot relay board (call ShopBot for price - very reasonable for functionality added) like Mike Lyon uses - see his add on gadgets. BTW, you can find the pens and refills at http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/..._Bits_s/33.htm ($39.95).

A ShopBot digitizing probe is essential for copying 2D and 3D objects. At some point, someone will want to copy an object and you'll need the probe. And, yes, it can be used to copy guitar bodies, etc.. http://shopbottools.com/accessories.htm ($395).
ShopBot says:
"Make a copy of an object in 3D with our digital touch probe. Attaches in place of your router bit in the router collet. Place the object you want to copy on the ShopBot table and run the Copy Machine tool in the ShopBot Control Software. You can duplicate an existing 3D shape or a piece of decorative trim or molding. Very useful for luthiers, furniture makers and restoration work. The Digitizing Probe provides a way to create 3D files without the complexity of using 3D software because it can directly generate a ShopBot Part File as it probes. Alternatively, you can generate 3D files for import into 3D software, which can then be modified or enhanced. The Digitizing Probe can also be used to trace the outline of the edges of a flat part in order to produce a 2D file for cutting out copies of the part."

I would also get a laser center finder and an edge/corner/zero finder:
The laser center finder will allow you to position/reposition the machine home position accurately anywhere on the table. I have even used it to reposition a start point when the bot lost its position. This is basically a laser pointer that chucks into the spindle collet. I got mine from Little Machine Shop: http://littlemachineshop.com/product...ProductID=2604 ($85). I also purchased their collet adapter and polarizing filter. The stepped collet adapter lets you use the laser in different sized spindle collets ($17.50). The polarizer focuses the beam and makes it more visable ($19.95). And, they even have a magnetic holder for the laser ($15.95). The pointer will also work with your drill press or mill.

A automated edge/zero finder can be purchased from Morris Dovey (DeSoto Solar): http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/SuperZero/ ($250). If you look at the pictures you can see that the plate and associated hardware find an exact corner and zero for your material, or you can add a cross-hair reticule to find a center. This can be very useful when a project has to be pulled from a table and then re-centered/zeroed which could happen to student projects - say a project is affixed to a planten/fixture that needs to be removed, for whatever reason, then re-registered. You can find a forum discussion about this tool at http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/mes...tml?1196399983

If you want to do vinyl signs you will want to consider a drag knife from WidgetWorks http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/..._Bits_s/33.htm ($150).

For metal/glass/etc. engraving with a diamond stylus WidgetWorks http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/..._Bits_s/33.htm ($179.99).

You, read students, will need accurate/durable vernier calipers. I use a digital readout type that can convert to and from inches, millimeters and fractions. Again, Wixey has a reasonable priced tool for $38.99 http://www.wixey.com/calipers/index.html. Obviously, Starrett would be better.

And, finally (whew), I find a Wixey angle gauge is very useful for setup uses. http://www.wixey.com/anglegauge/index.html ($39.99). For instance, getting the spindle plumb to the table...

[jporter]

You can run the PC router at lower RPM to cut the noise some. I wear the little foam ear plugs and they help a lot. I bought my PC at Rockler. They sell the motor unit only and I think it was about $200. Having said this, I would love to have a spindle, but some of the points made about warm up and cool down and rough useage make a lot of sense, and you can pay for the Indexer for the difference. Just some thoughts, joe

[rb99]

You will probably want to have a spare Porter Cable router on the shelf.

RIB