Looking for advice

[Travis]

Hello,

I managed to stumble on to the shopbot website and it's keeping me up at night. I'm not exactly sure how I got there, but I find myself completely fascinated by this equipment and am eager to learn all I can about it. I've combed through just about all the videos I can find and have read through several of the posts as well as all the information on the shopbot website multiple times. I'd love to see a shopbot in action first hand, but I'm finding it a bit of a challenge to find one relatively close to where I live. I would very much appreciate it if anyone would be kind enough to share any information about purchasing a shopbot and getting started in a part time business and any other considerations I need to make. Ultimately I'd love to turn it into a full time business, but I'm trying to approach this with as much rationale as possible. Fifteen years of sitting in a cubicle has served my family well, but it's time for a change. Thank you in advance.

Travis

[mark_stief]

Travis Iowa's a big state where are you at I'm in N.W. Iowa just North of Cherokee if you know where that's at I have a PRT 4x8 more than welcome to come and look if you want

[myxpykalix]

put a post in "Looking for ShopBot owner" section and tell where you specifically are located. Also contact Shopbit direct as they have a list of shopbot owners who are will to give demonstrations of their machines. They make a commission if you buy a machine, so you won't be imposing on anyone.

[Rick W]

Travis,

If you are planning on getting into the cnc world,you have come to the right place. Shopbot, Vectric, and this forum are the best in my opinion. There is soo..
much information and support that it is unbelieveable. Just keep in mind that these machines are not like buying a printer. There is a big learning curve, computer graphics, bits, speeds, hold down, finishing your projects etc. and marketing for your business (depending on what you are planning on doing).
I can understand why this is keeping you up at night ( I am the same, only I have a shopbot), follow your heart, buy the shopbot and don't look back. It's only money and this is your one time around.

Sincerly

Rick

(No I am not rich)

[Travis]

Unfortunately I'm in Southeast Iowa so we're on opposite sides. The folks at Shopbot have given me the names of a few operations that are a little closer so I might give them a call and just make a longer drive than I was hoping to make. I can see from the posts on this forum that there is a huge willingness to share information and it's one of the things that makes this line of work very appealing. It's definitely NOT about the money. Thanks for your input. I look forward to hearing more.