Should I buy this Bot?

[Tim L]

I'm looking into expanding my shop and getting a shopbot. I've been thinking about it for a long time and feel that it's the time for me to take this step.
I have located a 2001/2002 PRT 96 standard. It seems to be a hobby machine and I'm told has had very light use. The machine includes a never used indexer, a digitizing probe, small dust collector, vector software and v-carve. I dont imagine it has had any upgrades done to it. So my question is, is this worth $7500. I've seen much newer machines for a similar price but dont know how much usage affects pricing.
Maybe buying a machine with more hours and paying for upgrades would be a better way to go.
Any thoughts?

[bcondon]

Tim,
welcome to the forum

This is a hard question because I bought mine in 2006 and know what the machine is (superstructure etc) at that time. It would take one of our longer-term folks to know what the machine was in 2001 to have a better answer.

As you will find on this forum, most everyone loves their shopbot, the shopbot folks are very good to work with and the forum is one of the best assets.

Good luck... it will be very interesting to get some shopbot history!

Bob Condon

[steve_g]

Tim

I'd like to know if it has had the 4g board upgrade. Without the 4g board you are limited to older control software. 4g I think runs about $1800.00. Without the newer board this machine will never be more than a hobby / beginner machine. You said "Vector software" what exactly does that mean? "Light usage" is so subjective... A hard worked but well maintained machine might be a better deal!

Just my personal opinion.:)

SG

[Tim L]

Steve,
The current owner states that it comes with "vector cam and V-carve software". Thats all I know.
Thanks for the advice.

[Brady Watson]

For you young whipper snappers, VectorCADCAM was sold with ShopBots before they started selling PartWizard late 2001...which pre-dates PartWorks, the current software shipped with tools.

$7500 is in the ballpark for this machine considering the additional accessories, V-Carve Pro and low hours, but you should really go see the machine in person and see what's what before anything else. If you can snap some pics and post them that would make it easier to put a price on it. It will do everything that the newer ShopBots will do, only slower and with less resolution. As mentioned, it can be upgraded to newer controls for a speed and resolution improvement.

Don't drag your feet. I doubt this machine will last on the market for very long in the Northeast, if it is local.

-B

[Tim L]

I've seen pictures of the machine, and it does look to be in excellent condition. However with what I'm starting to realize is that with upgrades to the controls and partworks it would likely be another $2500+ to get the machine current. I dont know if an new indexer adds that much value for me and at that point I'm not too far off from getting a new PRS standard. Not to mention I'd still be running the older 1.1 motors.

[CNYDWW]

I have the same vintage of Bot however does not have the original control system. The biggest question would be if you wanted to play around with it or not. I have a generic mach3 controller with 10th microstep drives and the original 44v power supply and it does an amazing job. If you can get buy with the machine as it is and learn it then you can always upgrade it later. The accessories if go unused can be sold to help fund the upgrades. Otherwise follow the advice already given and keep the thought in your head that SB will still support the machine even with it's age. Tech support is a dream come true in this day and age. They were on the phone with me a few times helping me figure out things when i was building my own controller for my machine. They couldn't help with the controller itself but the pulse per rev. and gearing support was a great help.

Regards
Randy

[myxpykalix]

"I dont know if an new indexer adds that much value for me"

Because it's an older one value wise you are looking at probably $1,000, but new ones are in the $2500.00 range. But if you look at the "creative value" meaning it opens you up to making far more products and increases your creativity then it is worth far more.
To me it is one of the most versitile add ons you can buy that will give you far more options for creating things like this......:eek:

[Tim L]

Thanks for the advice. I will take all of this into consideration.
Looking forward to becoming a fellow Shopbotter.
Tim

[Country spyder]

I was looking at a used machine that seems to be extremely similar to what you are describing (same build year, unused indexer, etc.). Pictures that I received from the seller are attached.

Thoughts?

[Tim L]

That's the one. I passd on it. Didn't think it was right for me.

[MogulTx]

Tim,

You probably made a wise choice. I originally had a 4x4 PRT. It was a good machine, but I needed larger size for sheet goods, so I got the 4 x 8 PRS Standard.
I have recently sold the 2008 PRS Standard. The only reasons I sold it were for increase in size to 5 x 10'. The alpha speed, and the spindle were additional motivators... I understand that more recent machines are also more rigid... so if you are serious about getting a machine, there is no reason to spend this kind of $ if it does not fulfill your vision of what you might need- don't spend the $. You will regret it in the long run. And even though this is a "starter" machine for you, go for the latest year model you can find and afford, with as many features as you can. You probably don't need a probe or indexer or what have you- but you do want prox switches, e-chain at least over the Y axis( not the old acrylic hoop) Spindle if poss., and if you get a spindle, you may want a speed control board ( though I use a manual system and change my speed at the VFD. That is how my system was set up and I have not had the gumption to change it up yet.)

Good luck in your search. Do not overlook using "searchtempest.com" to seek out key words in all craigslist ads across the country and on ebay. I bought my first machine from a frustrated user on CL. He apparently never figured out how to get good help from the forum and from ShopBot- though he did tell me these would be great resources for me. I also found my third machine on CL ( and it was posted here, as well). Keep a sharp eye out and be ready to move when you find the right machine!

( And I have moved everything up to my 5' x 10' on a standard utility trailer with some muscle and some thinking... Never fear. It is not too hard to do)

MGM