Just Acquired an Older Shopbot...

[SKeller]

I just acquired an older (2002) ShopBot Standard with PC router. I haven't had a chance to run it yet, because it is in the process of being shipped, but I am curious if anyone is running a machine this old with updated software, computer, etc. I have run a much newer 2008 'Bot (Alpha with Yaskawa spindle) and am really excited about my new machine, but would rather set the old machine up once rather than set it up as originally specified and then re-load new software, etc. Will the current software, ie. Partworks, Partworks 3D, Shopbot Software drive this machine? Are there things I need to look out for when setting this up? What are the major performance differences between these machines? Any/all advice is appreciated. Thanks very much!
Seth

[Rob Gunn]

Seth, I have a old 2000 vintage PRT96 standard with a Porter Cable Router, home built wood table, old original controler. For the past 10 months Ive been running it for personal projects and a few sign projects for my girl freinds sign busness. So far no issues. As a matter of fact I have been very happy with the dependability of the unit. The few small isses that I have had were solved by freinds on this forum and a couple of e-mails to ShopBot. I have been very happy with my old Bot. Where you located in Michigan?

[pkirby]

I also have an older PRT that I just got a few months ago. The only problems I ran into were caused by grounding. Look up the grounding info on the wiki page for some good instructions. Also, ShopBot has the latest software for the older machines on their website that you can download. And don't fear, because every problem that I've run into I was able to figure it out with info from this forum.:)

[gc3]

here is my vintage PR with a PRT Z and control box(soon to have a 4g board inside)...this thing pumps out the product. your control software most likely will be 3.4.27 unless you have a 4g board. daily i am amazed at how well this machine works...as ken zey said " not as pretty or as fast as the new machines but plenty 3d capable" and boy was he right!!!

[zeykr]

2002 should be a PRT machine. Partworks and partworks 3d will certainly create partfiles to run on that machine. If it has been upgraded to a 4G control box, it can run the latest version of the shopbot control software. If still running the original 3G control board, it can go to version 3.4.27.

http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/controlsoftware.htm

The 4G control board is a worthwhile upgrade, but not a requirement.

[SKeller]

thanks everyone for the information. Once I have the machine in hand, I will check if I have a 4G board. THen I will track down the correct partworks software. Thanks very much for the help. Once I get everything up and running I'll post an update. I am in Gaylord, MI.

[mikeacg]

Seth,

My sister and brother-in-law are up in Indian Crossing. I stop in whenever I am headed up to Newberry to see the parental units. Beautiful country! I will be watching your progress as I have an old machine that I haven't tried to set up yet!

Mike

Dale and I sneak down to the Harley shop whenever I visit...

[SKeller]

If you don't mind, what are the major differences between the latest software and the one that runs on the 3g control board? I believe a 4G board runs about $400, right. What do I get if I install that and the latest software. The shopbot interface was pretty slick on the 2008 machine I ran. I also started on part wizard and then moved to part works. they seemed pretty similar.

[zeykr]

The 4G board will give your machine higher resolution and a somewhat faster move speed.

The latest software looks the same as the version you can run on your machine, but there have been a number of improvements and fixes. Integration with E-cabinets is a big one if you're interested in cutting cabinets, and a preview system that looks like the preview in partworks is another.

[SKeller]

OK, so I have the 'Bot hooked up and ran it in X,Y and Z axis'. Also turned on the PC router and it works too!!! Yeah! The Bot software seems to be very similar. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am used to an Alpha with a spindle. The CAM software is an old trial from VCarve (as I recall) but next project is getting the best CAD and CAM software for this old of a machine. It looks like the the original control board, and I won't be able to get the 4G board just yet. Can I load the most recent versions of Partworks, and Partworks 3D, or do I need to track down an older version of that software too?

Other things that I noticed that may or may not be important:
1) the machine sounds louder (when moving along the gantry and rails) than the 2008 PRS. I assume this is just the mechanics of greater rolling resistance compared to the PRS
2)the stepper motors had a slight hum when I turned on the machine. Maybe I am just working in a quieter space now, but I assume the motors are activated and that is just the noise of 'being at the ready'.
3)Lastly, does anyone recommend an inexpensive dust collector?
Thanks again for all of your help!!
Seth

[CNYDWW]

I've got one of these running my whole shop DC. It'll run the bot and one other tool at the the same time. I got the same deal they're having on it right now about two months ago.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html

Regards
Randy

[jerry_stanek]

I have the Harbor Freight dust collector that I have a Thien separator hooked up. The separator is easy to build and works great to help keep the bag from plugging up.

[bleeth]

Seth:

The harmonics of a PRT in motion are much louder than a PRS. By really tweaking your x and y squareness you can get it as quiet as possible but it will always be noisier.
Not sure about the hum. All I ever heard when turning my motors on was the bit of a thunk from engagement. That said it has been a long time since I was running the original standard drivers and that may be it. If you have properly grounded your machine then all should be well. If after you start cutting some files you get sudden step loss preceded by a distinct clunk (Not the same as the startup thunk) then that whould be a grounding issue.

For a single bot running not much else any of the popular priced single baggers will do. I would get at least 2HP as linked to below although my first DC for the bot was a 1.25HP unit that someone gave me. It was quiet but left a lot to be desired in suction! The difference between Harbor Freight, Jet, Grizzly, etc an this type of DC is minimal.