Re: Considering a router

[ricko]

I'm new here and considering buying a new ShopBot router and would like some feedback on them. Ive heard all kinds of horror stories from shaking , not sturdy enough,not accurate enough, don't cut clean, etc. My use will be sign making. I'm interested in the PRS model and Artcam Pro for my software. Would appreciate any comments good or bad. Thanks for your time, Rick.

[Gary Campbell]

Ricky..
I don't think that you will find any of those issues will apply to the PRS generation of ShopBot tools.

We are a professional woodworking shop and do many highly accurate cutting operations on the Bot. My son also does a lot of cutting for a local sign shop, which by the way, only puts a portion of the load on the machine that wood cutting does. Some models in past years have benefited from welding and stiffening of the gantry components, but that is before my time. As long as you size your machine properly, you should not have any problems at all.

There are many posts on this forum from other future users such as yourself, and if you search for them, you will be able to get opinions from many others.
Gary

[harold_weber]

Ricky, lots of Shopbotters will be happy to demonstrate their machines for you. If you want to see my machine run a sample cut, I'm 89 miles north of you according to Mapquest, exit 68 off Interstate 65.

[harryball]

Go see a few in action. I have a PRT Alpha I bought on the floor at the IWF after watching it run. I heard the horror stories too... from their competition.

I've been very happy with my bat bot.

/RB

[myxpykalix]

Shopbot seems to be the "Mercedes" of the CNC world (notice i didn't say "cadillac"). It seems to hold up very well, has good resale value and owners have a high opinion of its output.

If they put out an inferior product that had problems you would hear about it (from other than the competition). I don't hear about it from several other forums so based on that I think you can be assured of getting a good quality product. And if you have a problem you're not left to "twist in the wind". They have a staff of smart people to help get you straightened out. Plus you have ALL OF US! Now if thats not incentive enough to buy a shopbot then I don't know what is.

[wegner81]

Ricky I am a fairly new owner of a shop bot PRS standard and will put in my 2 cents. I have had my bot since March 2008. And at first was a little worried about weather or not it would meet my exspectation. I had a few issues with set-up and settings. I now realize that is no different than getting a new car, boat, computer or anything else that you are not familiar with. I went from not for sure I could make anything on it, to not for sure that there is not anything that you couldn't make on it. I will tell you that I could not get my machine running without the help of this forum. Every time I have a question Someone always seems to have a answer. Thanks to the guys on this forum I will be posting some picture of my first paying job which happens to be some small signs. I am a custom cabinet maker so this is new to me. Thanks again to all that have helped me. I hope to do the same some day Kevin

[gene]

Kevin,
I think that everyone that has not owned or operated a cnc prior to getting a shopbot goes thru the same thing. I too thought o no what have i did , but now i am glad i did it.

Rick ,
What are you planning to cut on the bot? Cab parts, signs , fluted collums or 3D stuff? It will do everything if you tell it how to do it. It takes a little bit of time to learn but with the help of this forum i dont think you will ever regret buying a bot. With over 4000 bots sold look at the forum under items for sale and you will not see anyone selling because of it wont do what i tell it to do . It does the same as 100,000. dollar machines do except automatic tool change .
For the price difference i'll change my own tooling.

[ricko]

I'm almost certain that I'm going for the PRS Alpha with Artcam Pro. Does anybody know if you can purchase a drag knife for the bot (or even if they make one)? I want to be able to cut mask on materials such as plexi or Lexan plastic? Thanks in advance, Rick.

[myxpykalix]

Ricky,
Here is one for vinyl contact the seller he seems more than willing to answer all questions so he could tell you.
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/15719/31298.html?1212955103

[chiloquinruss]

Rick - I'd like to offer two suggestions: First go and look through the Topic heading Virtual Show and Tell. After looking through those great pix and looking at the follow on questions and answers you will have a totally different perspective on a Bot. Second GO FOR A VISIT! The Botter community is a great bunch and they welcome newbies with open arms. The stuff they do with a Bot will blow you away and I guarantee NONE of them do the shake, rattle and roll you describe. That's my 2 cents worth. Have fun with your Bot when you finally decide.
Russ

[bcammack]

I find the new PRS to be an impressively engineered piece and finally puts to rest any lingering vestige of a "garage project" or kit. (the PRT really wasn't, but the angle iron (steel), springs, and turnbuckles sort of gave it that air.

With the custom stampings supporting the bridge and the large, robust extruded aluminum box beams the PRS is incredibly rigid and precise.

I want one.
(my employer has a PRT Alpha)

[zeykr]

Rick,

For a drag knife, look at a 'vinyl mate'. They've been around quite a while and work well.

[bleeth]

Jack: I have to vigorously disagree with you. Having seen what Mercedes-Benz is passing off as a good vehicle and for what pricing lately there is no way I would call a bot a Mercedes!! The up to date Bot to me is more like a Volvo. Not overpriced and built to last!!.
Seriously Ricky I have owned my PRT for several years now. I upgraded the old control board to one that was the prototype for the current 4-G and stiffened my gantry. I'm now working on a new gantry that is using the same extrusions and basic design as the PRS. The PRS is a heck of a machine and worth every dime. The only reason I would ever buy a machine other than a Bot for our work is if our needs justified the very big bucks for heavy iron with a tool changer. At entry level pricing the Bot can't be beat and the support is the best in the business. Notice that the Buddy is up for an award from IWF.

[zeykr]

Dave, would love to be keep up to date on your new gantry design. Please try to document it as you go so you can share it when complete - know I'm interested and probably others as well.

[myxpykalix]

Dave,
I bought a mercedes brand new back in 1980 and it still in the driveway. Like most everything nowadays they are not made like they used to be.
But my basic sentiment is still valid in that its a great machine and good people.

[kerrazy]

Ricky,
Here is my 2 cents and is it is Canadian it may actually hold value...?
I owned and ran a PRT for about 5 years. I was bold enough to tackle near any project I could, and if it was not for human error, all would have been flawless. There is a learning curve that may be steep for some and quite natural for others.
At the end of the day though, as long as you take time to ensure the machine is square in all axis, you will be very satisfied.This is typically a one time calibration, with a typical maintenance approach to future adjustments. Also, in the event of a failure, you will wait and wait for a tech to come and sort you out ($$$). Not so with ShopBot, as you have assembled your machine, you are very familiar with its components and will likely be able to pin point with guidance where and what concerns need to be addressed.
I would put a PRT/PRS up against any $70,000 tool once I was done setting it up. And frankly once I was done cutting my parts... well I would still have some money in my pocket for rent, truck payments material and even a couple of beers.
And I too am a sign guy.