Purchase/set up/operation problems

[inswoodman]

I am very close to placing my order with shopbot. I know the learning curve with CNC. I have experence programing, running and making money with big iron. I left that world 6 years ago for another career. Love the world so I want to get back to the shop and cnc. What problems have come up with the shopbot? Set up? Design? The stuff not planned for. I believe/hope that this is a place that most problems can be solved. But like everyone else want to avoid all possible. Thanks

[mitch_prest]

G'day Jeff

most problems that seem to occur are do to pilot error more than the equipment.. setup would come under pilot error if you do it yourself.. there is always going to be minor glitches regardless of what you buy, I was missing a bag of washers when I unpacked the crates.. that's something I can easily live with. The big iron CNC we bought at work cost $1.2 million and it still took a lot of battling to get it to run properly.
I can't actually think of anyone offhand that has had a major problem that was not dealt with .. maybe one of the botters that have been around a while can thing of something..

mitch

[richards]

Shopbot will take care of any equipment problems quickly. Their service is outstanding.

Do yourself a favor and spend some time with a 'botter in your area if possible. If you're like most of us, you're going to be a one-man-show. Every responsibility will be on your shoulders. By spending some time with another 'botter, you'll get the feel of things before you have to face them alone.

Your experience running other CNC machines will be a great asset, but take the time to design and cut some simple parts so that you'll have a better idea of your own personal learning curve.

When I got my PRT-Alpha in July of 2004, I was chagrined to find out - quickly - how much I had to learn before I could produce quality parts. In almost every case, the problem with the quality was due to my misunderstanding a procedure or a process. A "chatter" problem on the original PRT-Alpha machines was about the only problem that I could lay at Shopbot's feet. (The PRS series has virtually no chatter.)

[joe]

Fellows like Mike are technicaly far ahead of me. He could fix just about any problem with one of these machines. But when buying one of the Kit CNC's you will have more setup and continual maintenance.

I couldn't do it and keep up with the work flow.

It takes all kinds doesn't it.

[wberminio]

Jeff
Two years ago I had "0" experience with CNC.

If I wasn't for Shopbot support-They great guy's in NC and here on the forum- I would have a hunk of metal in my shop taking up space.Now I use my Bot
everyday-doing things I never thought I could.

Go for it.You won't regret it.

[cabnet636]

if you have run and programed big iron, you are gonna really enjoy this. i would begin to ask how to set it within the shop (set it up, don't move it around) give your self as much time as you can afford before taking on paying work, it will not take long!!

jim

[joewino]

After over two years the dread of putting everything together is fading from my memory. There were a few minor snags, but nothing tragic - mainly just not understanding the instructions. A little trial and error usually fixes that.

Whatever problems arose were quickly solved by the Tech guys - they are top notch.

There were a few problems that had to have some replacement parts sent, but that was done quickly and at no cost to me, plus Tech Support walked me through the whole process on the phone. And they didn't laugh at my stupid questions.

Now I've learned just enough to be dangerous. The curve of software learning is rather steep, especially for an old guy that is computer challenged.

It's still fun, even with the frustration of the machine doing exactly what you tell it to do.

[bill]

If you look up "support" in the dictionary you will find a picture of a ShopBot. I can not say enough about the support, it's fantastic. But..... keep in mind, there are only two perfect people, God and someone that does nothing. 99.99% of my ShopBot issues were/are ME, the remainder were/are handled very well by ShopBot support.

[myxpykalix]

Jeff,
Having never had any experience with cnc prior to my buying a shopbot a member here was kind enough to share his plans on a specially designed table that i had welded up and i got my shopbot and put it together by myself in a day and a half and had it running so if i can do it you should have no apprehension about getting yours together.

[gene]

Hey Jeff,
Jack is right, if he can do it anyone can...
When i bought mine i was in the same boat, no cnc experience and very little computer experience. Read the manual cover to cover before you open the crate. Its not as hard as you are thinking it will be. Do not think it will do all that the big iron will do as fast as the big iron but for what it is it does very good....

[myxpykalix]

Jack is right, if he can do it anyone can...

"hey I resemble that remark"....(c. howard 1960)

[joe]

I share Raymonds feelings with the process.

The bigest mistake I've made was not waiting for Aspire to come on the market. I laid out big bucks for ArtCam and have given Aspire a try to find it a bargain. Aspire is fun, fast and economical. If any is interested, I'd make a smoking hot dear for someone on my Artcam 2008.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[dlcw]

Jeff,

I have to agree with Jack and Raymond as well.

I just got my PRSAlpha 96x60 setup in May-June-July this year. After several very frustrating weeks of hardware problems, software bugs and a broken V-bearing, my machine is humming right along. I was almost at the point of having ShopBot come take the boat anchor out of my shop because of all the problems.

Through the very kind support of folks on this forum, I've cut well over 100 sheets of plywood, plus a lot of hardwoods, on it using SB Link and Partworks and it cuts very well (once you find out all the little things that aren't documented anywhere).

I would highly recommend that before you start a new technique/operation with your machine, pose the situation up here and someone has probably done it already and found all the little undocumented things you have to take into account before doing that technique/operation. I learned this the hard way when cutting cabinet parts from plywood. Folks up here gave me tons of advice on how to set things up to get SUPER cuts and fits. You won't find this information documented anywhere. Use this forum. It will save you TONS of time and frustration - let alone ruined expensive material.

My only regret is why didn't I adopt CNC technology in my operations years ago..... live and learn.

Welcome!!!!

Don
www.diamondlakewoodworks.com (http://www.diamondlakewoodworks.com)

[myxpykalix]

There is a big difference between "a smoking hot dear" and "a smoking hot deer" one has 4 legs and a lot more fur!

[myxpykalix]

echoing Don's comments when i first started I asked a lot of questions, i asked for a lot of help, I asked for people to make files for me, and plenty of advice (see my # posts) and with the exception of ONE D@#$%&Bag who basically didn't offer to help answer the question but commented to the effect of "figure it out for yourself", anytime I need help and have asked questions i get answers. I have made many friends and contacts who have helped me off and on this forum and I inturn have paid that forward by helping many others. The shopbot machine and company I believe wouldn't be as successful if they didn't have a good product and as many "desciples" here who have helped make it a better machine.

[butch]

Jeff
I will throw my 2 penny's in the pot. I bought my PRT Alpha 48x96 in Oct. 2007. I had some woodworking experience, and I have been working on and with computers for many years. But no CNC experience at all. I got Partworks, I believe as my first program, then VCarve, upgrade to VCarve Pro and now Aspire.
It took awhile to learn the software, and I'm still learning more every day. But it's not that hard to make a 2d part and cut it out on the machine. I was making signs, and furniture within 2 weeks of getting it.
As far as problems, I will quickly point out that the support group is great. I feel that if I have a problem, then they have a problem and it gets resolved. I have never had a long wait or been put off for days until they had time to deal with it. I have called or emailed about 6 or 7 times through the 3 year and the problem was resolved every time to my satisfaction. And yes, it was always something I didn't understand or do right.
I am very happy with my purchase and hope you will be also.

8288

8289
These are a couple of items I have made on the shopbot with Aspire. Goes to show, if I can anyone can.
Butch

[dray]

The only difference between big iron vs shopbot is .003 VS .009.. For aerospace mfg I highly suggest big iron.. For everything else I suggest shopbot.

OH and the new mortgage you will have on big iron

[rcnewcomb]

During the initial setup in 2005 we had some issues with grounding and shielding. The support guys were very patient and the forum was a significant help.

Take your time to properly ground everything and it will be a faithful worker.

[ken]

Jeff,

I bought the third or fourth PRT that Shopbot made. I was fortunate enough that back then Ted and Chris from Shopbot came to my shop and built my machine for me. It ran great and then about three years later, on a Saturday morning, I had trouble with the distance’s the machine was moving with respect to what it was suppose to be moving. I took a chance and called Shopbot. Yep, Saturday morning there was someone there and they guided me to resetting my unit values and within 10 minutes the machine was running perfect again.

That machine helped me build my business to a point that I was able to sell my business and my services to a much larger company here in Greensboro. Within a short time after my move we bought a PRT Alpha and ran it along with our PRT Standard (yes 10 years and stil running strong) to keep up with demand of our product. I and another guy put that machine together on our lunch hours and it seemed like it just fell together. We had a small problem with our VFD and Shopbot sent one of their guys down here the next day to straighten it out.

I loved working with my CNC’s and Shopbot so much that I bought a PRS Standard for myself to putter around with. I had so much fun putting that together that I was tempted to volunteer my services to anyone that needed to assemble theirs (kidding-of course but it was loads of fun).

Us Shopbot owners may have different model machines or make different things with our CNC’s but one thing we all have in common is sharing our enthusiasm of owning one.

Regards,
Ken

[jnbish]

Jeff,
I bought a PRS Alpha about 28 months ago/ assembled it myself (with some trepidation)
By most operators standards I am probably a "hack", but this Alpha paid for itself in fourteen months, and has been virtually trouble free.

[inswoodman]

Well after following this forem for about three years the check is in the mail. Shopbot should pay all a commission for the sales pitch. Hope to be cutting at Christmas. Thanks to all and I hope that I will be able to help someone someday as much as the people on this forum.
Thanks All

[dana_swift]

Jeff - welcome! Looking forward to hearing how it goes. Several years from now you will be making your 200th plus post on the forum explaining to somebody else that it is a good path to take.

I have different experience than Danny Ray, my experience with my BT-32 is that 0.002" is readily obtained with reasonable care and setup. The big iron can get 0.0005 or better, but wood cant.

At some point the tool marks are bigger than the accuracy with which you can place them on the material.

I have stated many times that my biggest regret with buying a shopbot is not sending in my money sooner.

D

[wberminio]

Welcome Jeff!
You have made best decision!

Get ready for a great ride!

Erminio

[myxpykalix]

Jeff...i'll take my commission in cash.

[richards]

Jeff,

Read between the lines on Jeff Bishop's post.

He USES his machine. Every time I visit his shop, he is doing something new and creative. Because he is a good friend with a tender heart, he drives past my place every once in a while, counts the shut-off notices pasted to my front door (gas, electricity, water, telephone, etc.), has compassion for my plight and outsources some major work to keep me from slipping into bankruptcy.

He always has a new idea that he's trying out and he doesn't try to compete with every out-of-work carpenter. He does the kind of work that can only be done with a CNC router.

Because he has worked hard to learn how to use his Shopbot, even harder learning how to use the software and even harder still learning how to find and promote his business, I'm not going to give away his secrets except to say that if you buy a Shopbot, work at least eight hours a day using it to do things that only a CNC machine can do, you'll have results similar to Jeff's.

[adrianm]

So far my whole experience with ShopBot has been a total pleasure. I kept changing my mind and adding bits on and then taking them off, Dianne was polite and helpful all the way.

My Alpha is due to arrive today. I can't wait but I'm dreading get the thing off the lorry!

[ghostcreek]

Welcome Jeff. I know you will be very happy. I too followed the posts here before I made my purchase last year. If you notice the posts here, all are from people with different backrounds and skills. Very telling that they all have a deep commitment to their Machine and helping others. Welcome to the family, and share with us all your good and bad, it's how we all learn to be better.

[jnbish]

Adrian, what in the world is a "lorry"?

[adrianm]

Jeff, it's one of those English/US terms that there isn't a direct translation for as truck/lorry is not direct interchangeable.

A lorry is a heavy goods vehicle. 7.5 tonnes upwards. 18 tonnes in the case of the one that delivered my ShopBot.

Unfortunately too big to get through my gates so we had to push the hand cart with the crate up my gravel driveway. Not fun.

The ShopBot is now spread all over my living room while I check everything is there!

[benchmark]

Adrian,

Good luck with the Shopbot build....it could be the best choice you have ever made.

Paul

UK Shopbotter

[thewoodcrafter]

Adrian,

Don't put it in the living room.
I know my wife would have a fit.
Build it in the garage.
I think the instruction manual has that part. Garage.

[carlosgmarroquin]

I got the word lorry because my son used to watch Thomas the tank engine.

Welcome aboard.

[curtiss]

Adrian,

With a Shopbot in your living room, you must certainly be in charge of the household.
a photo of that would be nice...

not too many in America could get away with that... be careful or it will end up covered with laundry.

[adrianm]

Should be out of there by Monday with a bit of luck. The electrician is coming round today to make the final connections for the new sub-panel and then I can rebuild the south wall of the workshop.

I was quite happy to leave it in the crate in the garden with a tarpaulin over it. It was my wife who insisted on unpacking it and bringing it inside!


8290

[benchmark]

The next thing will be that the wife bought it for your xmas present !!!!

[mitch_prest]

if I had brought my bot into the living room.. the excrement would have hit the oscillating blade.

m