New member.

[JP]

Hi all,

I live in Orlando FL and have owned a shopbot PR 96 for about 10 years. Until now it has served my purpose which is mostly cutting 2-D patterns and mortises. This weekend the z-axis stopped and I found this forum while searching for replacement parts. I've posted a message in the wanted ads.

My PR 96 is all original (except for the DOS computer) and I notice that there are a variety of upgrades available. I'm interested in upgrading but not breaking the bank since I do not earn any income from my shopbot. Suggestions would be appreciated.

I've attached pics of a bench made by cutting the mortises on the shopbot.

Thanks,
JP

[jerry_stanek]

I had an old PR that I upgraded to the 4G controller Boy was that worth the money. Faster speeds more accurate and a lot less problems. I don't know if that upgrade is still available form Shopbot.

[chiloquinruss]

Nice bench. Welcome to the best support forum on the net! Russ

[scottp55]

Welcome Paul, Hope you get running again quick. Nothing the matter with using the Shopbot to make a little money to pay for it's own upgrades:)
Nice benches, and was wondering why you didn't use the "Bot to cut the whole thing?
Hope someone who's been down the road and knows the issues will kick in:)
scott

[JP]

Thanks for the input. The 4G upgrade is no longer available. The current factory upgrade is $3K and out of budget range at present.

Thanks also for the + feedback on the bench. Pretty simple but much harder to do without the bot. I used the bot to mill the twisted rough planks before planing. Other than that and the mortices, it was easier to prepare the pieces using conventional power tools.

JP

[David Iannone]

4G no longer available? Really? That don't make sense, I just did my 4g upgrade 6 months ago. It cost me $1500 then when I sent old board back they gave me $250 refund. GREAT deal. It took me about 2 hours to swap boards out and was back up and running.(I'm a little slow).

Factory upgrade for $3000? I don't know?

Hey, don't give up on the old machine. I have a 2001 PRT that after I upgraded the board has never sounded so good. Just search and read this forum, there is a wealth of knowledge here.

Dave

[JP]

According to the ShopBot tech person I spoke with the 4G upgrade is no longer. The RBK box is the only option. Upgrades in electronics and mechanical hardware look very worthwhile but there are a lot of options that I need to understand first. In the meantime it looks like the bad controller is repairable and the shorted motor is $80 new. I'll pursue the repair option at present and upgrade later. Thanks for the comments and help.

JP

[David Iannone]

RBK Box only now..........:confused:

I guess I'm glad I upgraded just above the curve?

Dave

[frank]

The 4G upgrade is still available for PRT standard control systems that have a version 3.xx control board. In that case you simply swap out the control board. PR tools have a different power supply so they require a complete control system. The complete 4G system is no longer available, but the control board is.

[JP]

Frank, I saw the different table styles on a ShopBot webpage but was still fuzzy about PR vs PRT electronics and power supply. That helps.

JP

[curtiss]

It might be nice somewhere on the SB web site to show a little history of the machine in a sort of "family tree style."

The machines models / control boxes could be shown and also the different upgrades available for each type.

[khaos]

The 4G upgrade is still available for PRT standard control systems that have a version 3.xx control board. In that case you simply swap out the control board. PR tools have a different power supply so they require a complete control system. The complete 4G system is no longer available, but the control board is.

Thanks Frank, you sure unknurled a few eyebrows with this. Concise as always. :)

[Brian Harnett]

I have a 2003 prt I was told in 2009 the 4g upgrade no longer existed by shopbot, and ended up getting the Rbk box for around 2500 I am not complaining it works great. But now I am hearing it still exists for quite a bit less and should have fit my machine.

[jerry_stanek]

There was a time when they didn't offer the 4g but they did bring it back from what I was told.