Shopbot vs. Laguna

[Sean Larson]

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone who has thorough experience with both Laguna and Showbot might give me an unbiased opinion on the price/performance of each.

Specifically, I'm looking at the desktop models from each company.

Thanks!

Sean Larson

[Brady Watson]

Both are good machines. You won't get an unbiased answer on the ShopBot forum. The bearings on the ShopBot are better & the machine is more maintenance free than the Laguna. (I'm assuming you read the Laguna manual already, yes?) SB Support is WAY better than Laguna ~ which is almost a joke in the industry, if the CNC division is anything like their bandsaws and other woodworking equipment.

Aside from support, the SB comes with a better CAD/CAM software suite included in the price. The Laguna is a larger and much heavier machine. Both will cut out trinkets all day long.

For things like this, I prefer to shop on value...and that to me means being able to pick up the phone and get my questions answered quickly - especially if this is your first CNC.

-B

[kurt_rose]

Well said Brady.

[chiloquinruss]

Brady you worded that much better than I would have. I wanted to reply but I didn't want to sound as biased as I really am. When you look at the huge number of posts here and a very few of them are COMPLAINTS against the manufacturer. I have top of the line 3d printer, digitals scanners, laser cutters, all top of the line. ALL of them SUCK from a support point of view. ShopBot has been the leader in field of support for many years. So thanks again for wording a reply back to the question, which is better! :D Russ

[Brady Watson]

I left out the part about the control software...SB3 is really well thought out with oodles of options and the ability to customize your machine in ways most don't even know. Aside from all of this, it is super easy to learn and use - THE ABSOLUTE EASIEST CNC controller at any price.

-B

[jerry_stanek]

One thing about this forum is every thing is open not like some other forums. If you have a problem and complain it is there for any one to see not very much gets deleted. Shops bots are a very good machine and this forums sure helps new comers along without ranting about questions that have been asked 100's of times

[David Iannone]

Jerry,
I agree. Had my bot since 2001. Still doing upgrades to my machine. Long overdue maybe?

I like no monthly payment.

In 2002 I was a beginner.

In 2015 I consider myself intermediate.....lol,

My SB has been an excellent investment..........

[harryball]

I agree with all said. If you are a first time cnc'er the ShopBot will do the job, stop looking at hardware and start looking at support of all kinds. Do they have a forum? Is forum active and reasonably responsive? Is there a pre-existing pool of self-help information either on the forum or in a wiki (or both)? Can you call and get someone on the phone? Can you ride over and take a look at one running in someone else's shop? etc...

As you gain more experience the type of support will become less important, though never to be ignored. Hardware to Hardware there are plenty of CNC machines out there that are all comparable and will cut all day long. I've encountered some very frustrated non-ShopBot owners who made their purchased based on cost and/or spec sheets alone that could not get help. Many resorted to THIS forum. Some of those sold their machine and bought a ShopBot.

/RB

[Initial Sound, LLC]

Both are good machines. You won't get an unbiased answer on the ShopBot forum. The bearings on the ShopBot are better & the machine is more maintenance free than the Laguna. (I'm assuming you read the Laguna manual already, yes?) SB Support is WAY better than Laguna ~ which is almost a joke in the industry, if the CNC division is anything like their bandsaws and other woodworking equipment.

Aside from support, the SB comes with a better CAD/CAM software suite included in the price. The Laguna is a larger and much heavier machine. Both will cut out trinkets all day long.

For things like this, I prefer to shop on value...and that to me means being able to pick up the phone and get my questions answered quickly - especially if this is your first CNC.

-B

SB support is top notch and this community is a super handy resource. Has saved many production hours in my experience so far.

[Xray]

As a Laguana bandsaw owner, can't see the complaint about that, they are top rated and by far the best band saw I ever owned. Sure, there are better - Not on this side of $2K though.

CNC is another story, from what I understand they are outsourced and re-branded Chinese machines, always a roll of the dice with those.

[Davo]

I'm a first time buyer in this industry and chose Shopbot because of reputation - I do not know the other brand but as a new user I can say that with one solid year of use Shopbot is the ONLY option

Mines been perfectly reliable, almost every issue has been because of something I did and not the machine

I watched every training video on their website, the worst thing was my very first cut, the intimidation, triple checking I did everything and anxiety to hit start - other then that I would say it's as comfortable and easy to use now as a big printer

My only tip is spend the extra and get the spindle - the router is LOUD - Save your hearing, not money

[joe]

Laguana is a big Iron company pushing impressive equipment. I doubt much hand holding should be expected when it comes to support. What you get with Shopbot is a community. The owners are mostly hobby types. That's not the market of Laguana.

Not all CNC equipment needs as much backup as SB. That's natural since it comes as a KIT.

[jerry_stanek]

Laguana is a big Iron company pushing impressive equipment. I doubt much hand holding should be expected when it comes to support. What you get with Shopbot is a community. The owners are mostly hobby types. That's not the market of Laguana.

Not all CNC equipment needs as much backup as SB. That's natural since it comes as a KIT.

I looked at the Laguana's at some shows and most are rebranded Chinese machines not very heavy duty that I remember. The one they had running didn't impress me much as it wasn't cutting all that well. It could have been their bit was dull. I have run big iron machines IE Beisse and the Laguana is near that class more like a hobby machine than a commercial one.