Machine Size Question

[joe_dusel]

I do furniture and cabinet making. In the almost 20 years that I have done woodworking I think I have used 4' x 10' panels maybe twice, and I have never used 5' x 5' Baltic birch. I am having a hard time figuring why I would want a machine with a table larger than 4' x 8'. Do you folks with this size machine regret for some reason not having a larger table? It would seem to me that if you had a bigger table you would also need a bigger vacuum pump. Is that right?

Thanks,

Joe

[thewoodcrafter]

Hi Joe,

I think with the PRS if you want a second head or drill you need a 60" wide table.
Other than that I don't see a real need for a 10ft or 12ft table.

[kubotaman]

Personally I am glad I bought the 5'X10' table. It gives me the ability to add the indexer on the table parallel with the X axis If I please.

[rb99]

I like having extra table space. There is room to set up the next cut while cutting...

For instance cutting 4' x 5' jobs, if you have a 5' Y axis you could set up one while cutting one. Not possible with a standard 4' x 8' table.

You may also find some jobs are more material efficient if you use over sized sheets.

But you can get most of what you need out of the 4' x 8' machine...

RIB

[benchmench]

Joe,

a 5x8 table that has zones setup for different sizes of material with piping and valves to direct the vacuum can have some advantages. I have the extra foot setup as two 1 x 4 zones for solid lumber projects. It is nice to not have to move a sheet of 80 pound MDF when you need to cut solid material or another project such as doors or carvings.

On another occasion it was easier to cut a 54" project on the y axis rather than on the x.

If your table is zoned and piped allowing you to direct the vacuum then you can get by with 2 Fein vacs just fine.

It is also more comfortable for napping between jobs!

[henrik_o]

At least over here in Scandinavia many sheet materials that are not used in high volume by the construction biz (but can be used as such by industry) are not easily available in 4x8 but are rarely larger than 5x10. For example, thicker sized MDF (25mm+) is often larger than 4x8, and specialty panels (veneered blockboard etc) are the same.

Often these panels can be had in 4x8 but very few dealers stock them, so they're costlier to get and it takes more time.

The situation might be different in the US, but I am very happy I got the 5x10 sized PRS. It has saved us a lot of time to be able to get basically any sheet directly on the table rather than having to pre-size them in the panel saw.

[carlhopkins]

I agree with Daryl I have a 5X10 and maybe some day I would want to add the indexer, extra spindle and even thought about a place to do custom trim.
But as for hold down that can be done without spending an arm and a leg too.
good luck

[Gary Campbell]

Joe...
My recommendations would be:
1) PRSalpha, as you are a pro shop and will need the many speed and power advantages the Alpha offers over the standard.

2) 60" wide as it offers you the ability to add a second spindle, have an area that may be mostly unused but can be used for specialized hold down devices, and gives you the ability to cut 5' wide material if needed. If you cut pieces like chair arms or stair rail volutes from solids, you will need a dedicated fixture.

With proper zoning of the vacuum table you can use the same pump, assuming it is properly sized,for a 60" wide or 48" wide table. It takes more vacuum cfm to cut many small pieces, like sign letters, than it does to cut a normal cabinet nest. Either way, there are many tricks on the forum about the methods users go about making low price hold down systems work.

If you choose to add the second Z axis, as I did, then there is only 50" of coverage with both tools.(due to lateral (Y)offset of the 2 spindles)

That said, other than the width of material, there will be little or nothing that the 48" machine will not cut. The 60" is a few extra $ for flexibility, but takes up more room.

Throw a couple files on your jump drive, jump on a plane and I will give you a demo. Call if you have specific questions.
Gary

[joe_dusel]

Thanks much for the information! I'm still trying to decide what I need and how I can pay for it. I did check out the machine at the AWFS show and it looked like a pretty nice setup with the tool changer. The thing I still don't like are the high sides. I was told that ShopBot might consider making an 8 x 4 machine which would have the two 4' sides high. I'm assuming they would still do the tool changer with that.

Thanks again!

Joe

[benchmench]

Joe,

Shobotters all know each other instantly due to a highly recognizable "sawtooth" pattern across the front of all our shirts.

This is part of the uniform and can only be attained with the high sides of the Shopbot and a certain dark thick moly grease that doesn't wash out.

[gabriel_mckeagney]

I am a custom furniture and cabinet maker.

My first Shopbot is a 4x8 and my 2nd is a 5x10.
I am delighted to have the 5' width "often" and the 10' length often too!
I would say that if you are custom in your projects and have the floor space, a 5x10 is a great thing.
Anothere great advantage I find with it is I can set up a 2nd work jig easily and still keep the 4x8 sheet option open on the 5x10.
If I had to only have one machien, it would be a 5x10.
Gabriel