What size to buy?

[rww]

Hello to everyone. I am trying to decide what size Shopbot to purchase. I plan on using it for many different applications like cutting sheet goods for cabinets, curved molding blanks, carvings, and the list goes on. I am thinking of going with the 5'X10' bed. Is the larger bed less accurate than 4'X 8' or a 5'X 8'? Those of you who have a 5'X10' do you wish you had a smaller model? Or maybe the other way around. Thanks for your time.

[myxpykalix]

I have a 5X10 table and it has a by on the side for an indexer. Notice that i have room for a full sheet of plywood and the indexer bay. Now if you are buying a new unit from shopbot i don't think you can have a table like mine on the newer models but it gives you an idea of the options you will have, like being able to cut 5X5 plywood.
Keep in mind with a bigger table you have the option of cutting something smaller but with a smaller table you can't cut bigger...

Having said all that 75% of what i've cut could be done on a 4x4 table....go figure.

8317

[dlcw]

Jason,

I have a 5x8 with 4 vacuum zones and it has done everything I've needed. 4x8 stock, 5x5 BB stock, solid stock, signs, etc. I did add 2 support legs, made from scrap 2x4's, to the middle of the X rails because of sagging. The 5x10 has this center leg on the rails. I went with the 5x8 because sometime down the road I will probably add a second spindle and I can still cut 4x8 sheets with 2 spindles. Granted 5x5 Baltic birch will need some layout thought with 2 spindles. I currently have 1 2.2hp spindle and an air drill.

Once the bugs got worked out, I've been very happy with the cut speed and quality.


8318


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

[gene]

Jason,
Do you cut any 10 ft sheet Goods? Or are you thinking of an indexer in the future? What size shop are you going to put it into? Where are you located?

[rww]

Hello Gene. Nice last name. :-) I don't cut much 10' plywood. The indexer is a good possibility. For the extra cost I think it would be worth it to have the extra 2' if it didn't cause the machine to be less accurate. My thinking is if we did need 10' it would be a good paying job and we would easily recoup our cost . Our 3 man shop and finish room is around 4000sf. We are in southwest Missouri.

[bruce_taylor]

I've got a 5X10 and a wished it was 5X12 a time or two.
Nothing I couldn't work around.

[frank134]

I've got a new 5 x 10 and my first job will be to cut t-track in 5 x 10 pvc type - 1. If it turn out good I will be doing a lot of it. so I am glad I got it. A friend of mine that has a $180,000 4x 8 machine wish he had a 5 x 10. That who I got this job from.

[gene]

Since you have the space then i would go for the 5x10.

[fsrdoug]

Jason
I have a 9648 and I thought that was plenty big enough but the first job I took in was 53 x 72 x 6. My advice is to figure what the largest table you will need and then purchase the next size larger. Some one will always have a project that is just too big but you don't want to send them down the road to the next shop.
Doug

[myxpykalix]

bottom line, your size table will be dictated by your size budget.