mbeconst
06-06-2013, 03:05 PM
Here’s my Shopbot story…
I’ve been making boats since I was a tween (Naples Sabot in King Harbor, CA), but as I approached retirement and needed new challenges, I could see that homemade boats didn’t seem to be real popular. I’ve always been working on cars, usually out of necessity, but usually found it enjoyable. (My definition of enjoyable is anything that you do that causes you to loose track of time.) I ended up in an interest in Woodie Wagons, particularly pre 1948 models with predominant wood structure. It helped that, as a kid, our family car was a 1946 Buick Woodie, before they were cool. It took me a while, but I found a fleet of (2) 1948 Oldsmobile Wagon hulks.
I worked on the frame and drivetrain during the summer, and started the woodwork as the weather turned bad. It soon became clear that the wood bodies would be a big job. In retrospect, there are about 140 distinct parts, usually with details on at least 2 sides. The straight pieces can be counted on two hands. Material is White Ash, like a baseball bat, and mahogany plywood.
While looking for resources, I visited a well know, local, Woodie builder. His shop was surrounded by hundreds of custom templates for using a handheld router to make each operation. The handheld router is my least favorite tool. As I slowly considered an alternate strategy, I recalled a machine from my subscription to Woodenboat magazine called a Shopbot. It took me a while to believe this unit could drive a ½” router bit through 3” of White Ash, but I finally ordered a PRS4896 in 2006. I didn’t like the welded steel table that was offered and as I needed to install it in my second floor shop, I decided to make the table from 8020 Aluminium extrusions, which I had been using on engineering projects for several years. I went to work using RHINO CAD design software, PartWizard, and Cut3d. I have since upgraded to the 7.2 drive motors and 8” Z axis travel.
I had not planned on it, but I used the machine to digitize my rotten, original parts, resulting in a huge benefit in accuracy, as well as time. In addition, I make multiple parts and was usually able to mirror right and left sides.
I have completed one car and have another well on the way. When my housebuilding business went upside down, a whole bunch of life got in the way. I have now relocated to a new shop and will be fitting the machined parts to my two remaining projects.
At this point, I would like to trade my original machine for a Buddy as I do not have room for it in my new shop. The original machine is in its original shop location, but I expect that house and shop this summer. If someone is interested in the machine as an outright purchase, I would buy an new Buddy. I will list the machine in the For Sale section.
I’ve been making boats since I was a tween (Naples Sabot in King Harbor, CA), but as I approached retirement and needed new challenges, I could see that homemade boats didn’t seem to be real popular. I’ve always been working on cars, usually out of necessity, but usually found it enjoyable. (My definition of enjoyable is anything that you do that causes you to loose track of time.) I ended up in an interest in Woodie Wagons, particularly pre 1948 models with predominant wood structure. It helped that, as a kid, our family car was a 1946 Buick Woodie, before they were cool. It took me a while, but I found a fleet of (2) 1948 Oldsmobile Wagon hulks.
I worked on the frame and drivetrain during the summer, and started the woodwork as the weather turned bad. It soon became clear that the wood bodies would be a big job. In retrospect, there are about 140 distinct parts, usually with details on at least 2 sides. The straight pieces can be counted on two hands. Material is White Ash, like a baseball bat, and mahogany plywood.
While looking for resources, I visited a well know, local, Woodie builder. His shop was surrounded by hundreds of custom templates for using a handheld router to make each operation. The handheld router is my least favorite tool. As I slowly considered an alternate strategy, I recalled a machine from my subscription to Woodenboat magazine called a Shopbot. It took me a while to believe this unit could drive a ½” router bit through 3” of White Ash, but I finally ordered a PRS4896 in 2006. I didn’t like the welded steel table that was offered and as I needed to install it in my second floor shop, I decided to make the table from 8020 Aluminium extrusions, which I had been using on engineering projects for several years. I went to work using RHINO CAD design software, PartWizard, and Cut3d. I have since upgraded to the 7.2 drive motors and 8” Z axis travel.
I had not planned on it, but I used the machine to digitize my rotten, original parts, resulting in a huge benefit in accuracy, as well as time. In addition, I make multiple parts and was usually able to mirror right and left sides.
I have completed one car and have another well on the way. When my housebuilding business went upside down, a whole bunch of life got in the way. I have now relocated to a new shop and will be fitting the machined parts to my two remaining projects.
At this point, I would like to trade my original machine for a Buddy as I do not have room for it in my new shop. The original machine is in its original shop location, but I expect that house and shop this summer. If someone is interested in the machine as an outright purchase, I would buy an new Buddy. I will list the machine in the For Sale section.