Greetings from S.E. Michigan

[lemic_ray]

Hi I am new to this forum and soon to be a proud owner of a ShopBot Buddy.

I am finding as I do more research that I have so many questions, so I figured I'd start with a hello.

The primary use for the ShopBot is for making guitars. I've made a few by using a template and router, and the ShopBot seemed like the perfect "next step" in tool aquisition.

[gc3]

Here is a thread you might like...

http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7643


Gene Craain
www.plantasymaderas.com (http://www.plantasymaderas.com)

[lemic_ray]

Great link Gene,

I see see he is fixturing the guitar the way I have imagined I would.

Thanks!

[beacon14]

Welcome Raymond. Are you making guitars for sale or for fun?

[lemic_ray]

I'm making for fun mostly, a few for family and friends.

I think it is unrealistic right now to actually sell any for profit, the market is very soft.

but who knows what thr future will bring.

[tracys]

Hey Ray,

You don't waste any time, wasn't it last week you were in and we talked about the buddy. You'll love this forum.

Tracy
KenCraft

[lemic_ray]

Tracy!
I have to thank you for showing me that ShopBot of yours.
For about a year now I was sold on a VERY expensive Legacy Artisan mill, But i have seen the light !

I have my plans in order for getting my shop around and I'm looking to purchase the Buddy32 in May with my severence check.
I can't help but be excited at the thought of actually being able to make the MANY projects I've had in my head but needed so much equipment to build.
I'm tyring to get a feel for the limits these machines have. So far the possibilities are endless!
I also owe you a thanks for sending me tot his forum, As you promised me, these are a great bunch of guys with a lot of knowledge and experience.
I'll see you Friday most likely, need some more Blatic plywood, I'll bring the truck this time


Ray

[myxpykalix]

Not sure why you would go from a bigger Artisan to a smaller shopbot? For what you would pay for an overpriced underperforming artisan you could afford a bigger shopbot.
You may want to check out a larger used machine at a lower price. I have a feeling that a 32 isn't going to be big enough for some of the projects that you will want to do.

[lemic_ray]

Jack,

It's a matter of reality and comprimises.

I've got 3 different stories from our HR dept on the size of my severence. I'll count on the smallest check (buddy 32) and hope for the the middle (PRS 96)

To buy the Artisan I was going to sell my chopper at less than half the cost of materials I had in it and count on our inital promise of a high severence.

Right now I'm convinced the buddy 32 will do what I need, come April or May when my turn on the chopping block comes I'll have a clear understanding of what I can afford.

It is my intent to have my shop finished and tooled and owe nothing. I cut my credit cards up 6 yrs ago tightened my belt and for the last 3 yrs have no bills or mortages except utilities and insurance and groceries.

I'm looking to enjoy 2 yrs of unemployment and have a 600 day "Shopcation" with no worries


Don't get me wrong, when the time comes if I can get bigger or better you betcha I will!

I even have post-poned my big screen tv plans this month in the hopes the extra $800 might upgrade me. My kids are a bit disapointed, but I'll hardly hear their whining over the sweet drone of the router whine . LOL

[myxpykalix]

One thing to keep in mind is that once you start making things for others you will find that you will get requests for all sorts of things you never thought of and may or may not be able to accomodate them. But in the end the overriding factor in the decision always comes down to budget.

[lemic_ray]

My son and I were discussing this topic this morning.

along with finishing the shop we had budgeted for some new equipment like a spindle sander and new thicknes planer.

tommorow we will open a new savings account and put the budgeted money for the tv and other non essential shop tools in that account and purchase those items AFTER we buy the shopbot in hopes of an upgrade.

We both kind of got excited at the thought of how fast the fund could grow if we knuckled down and held off a bit on the less essential items.

[myxpykalix]

raymond,
when it comes to buying tools, first off you can NEVER have too many, but having said that you need to look at priorities.

I would concentrate on geting the shopbot first up and running as that tool has the potential to help make you money to be able to afford some of the lower priority tools.

I am getting ready to double the size of my shop from income i have generated from jobs i have taken in and my bot was bought originally as a hobby and to help me with my property remodels.

I have since found myself making molds for solar water heaters, signs, columns, waincoting, 3d carvings, lithopanes and other things i don't even recall much less ever knew what it was before i got into this (like lithopanes).

So don't narrow your market to only things YOU can think of, you will be surprised at the things you will be able to do.

[erik_f]

If you can't swing a 4x8 machine...at least do yourself a favor and go for the BT48. At least this way you can use pretty standard sheet material widths, and for $900 you can upgrade your table to 4x4 with the powerstick.

[robtown]

The second you get it setup and running, you come across a job that is too large for your particular setup. Bite the bullet and get a 4x8 or larger if you're serious about this.

You might consider buying a used machine to make your budget work more for you...

[bob_s]

I planned on 3d carving only, amazing how those custom closets and entertainment centers happen. The 4x8 capacity is really nice if you can make it work. You can work around no vacuum by placing screw positions in your file, but having to precut parts to fit them on the table is not a great option. But as the others have said, something is surely better than not doing it!

[tim_mcknight]

Hi Raymond,
I build (acoustic) guitars and my BT32 has met all of my expectations and more for our business. Bigger machines do have more possibilities but shop floor space doesn't permit me from going larger. Besides I would just be sidetracked into bigger projects ;)

[lemic_ray]

Thanks Tim,
I have to agree with the others concerns,I'm a very creative person and would love the extra abilities the bigger machines offer. Not just for me, but my son who is enjoying this adventure with me.

I was fully aware when I decided that the BT32 would suit my needs. I've been looking and researching this for about a year.

It would not be a matter of "settling" if I bought the BT32, it will do what I want, fit in my PLANNED budget and I am sure it will serve me well.

But do trust me when I say that I would "upgrade" in a heartbeat if I can (finances allowing)

It is good to know Tim That there are people out there doing what I want to do with the equipment I plan to own soon. It's reassuring!

[matney_models]

Hi Ray
I just got my PRS 96x48 up and running.Need some help with setting zero. I sent a email.
Kevin Matney

[lemic_ray]

Hey Kevin,
Replied to your e Mail

[matney_models]

Thanks for all he help.You can not dry run the bot with out the spindle.
I have the table surface now. Next I need to cut the air camber for the Vacuum hold down.

[lemic_ray]

WOO HOO!

well the first of the permanant layoff in my department happend Friday.

of the two guys axed, they both got almost 30% more than our initail quote of a severance pay.

I WILL be getting a PRS 96-48-6 with the "recomended acsessories"