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View Full Version : Most Wanted Tool to Purchase



Gary Campbell
01-28-2009, 05:01 PM
To the commercial shop Owners....

This informal survey assumes that you have a ShopBot, and it wasnt your first tool purchase.

In the same way that ShopBot made CNC affordable for the low volume shop, if another type of machine was available at a similar pricepoint/percentage what machine would you want to buy?

Gary

carlosgmarroquin
01-28-2009, 05:25 PM
I would look for a laser engraving machine.

beacon14
01-28-2009, 05:30 PM
4-sided planer/molder

chuckster
01-28-2009, 06:13 PM
A bigger shop

bleeth
01-28-2009, 07:25 PM
An HPJ

gabepari
01-28-2009, 07:40 PM
Money printing press

cabnet636
01-28-2009, 07:59 PM
a good edgebander!!

gerard
01-28-2009, 10:20 PM
better dust collection at the creation point

bernott
01-28-2009, 10:42 PM
Gary, now thats a good question. A better bucket truck with an auger & jib?

khaos
01-29-2009, 07:48 AM
A laser scanner like Brady :o

john_hartman
01-29-2009, 09:05 AM
Super Max Brush Sander

dana_swift
01-29-2009, 09:27 AM
Gary, that is really simple.

I would want another shopbot with some of the features you have added, however I would also want a 5 axis machine with a tool changer. Perhaps a six axis with a indexer added in.

An ideal machine should have a real working envelope of 20" Z so the multi-axis cutting head could get UNDER the work and cut the bottom too.

Not to mention this shouldn't cost any extra (ROTFL!). I admit to being greedy!

Really, an N axis machine allows sculpting abilities that currently have to be synthesized using very elaborate software and many setups. The idea of mounting the work on a pedistal and then CNC routing all surfaces, drilling all holes and pockets from a single setup. "push the button and walk away".

Another machine design that might be better is one where the work is secured to an Az/El mount, and the gantry is free to move XYZ. Combine that with a tool changer, and you have a dynamite machine.

Gary, feel free to ask me about this at your camp! A six pack would be a good accessory for the conversation!

----

I'm in with Joe also- a really simple and cheap large envelope 3D digitizer that could capture live action along with full color renderings of the 3D surface. Wishful thinking?

D

woodworx
01-29-2009, 10:59 AM
super max brush sander

khaos
01-29-2009, 12:33 PM
Nice call Dana ... <drool> Tool changer

harryball
01-29-2009, 01:16 PM
Laser Engraver.

Call-Tech
01-29-2009, 03:51 PM
Tough call, Here is my top 3

Laser Scanner,
Laser Engraver attachment for bot,
5 axis with tool changer and software for bot.

Gary Campbell
01-29-2009, 08:20 PM
I see that we all think differently. I also see that most of us think big!

Like Dave R. I am suffering from the horizontal boring blues. Especially when I watch the video here: http://www.accu-systems.com/hpj48.php (Dave R's HPJ)

I was watching this and started seeing the blue legs showing up in the video. Ted says it looks like a BT48 with a horizontal spindle.

Thanks for playing, Gary

waterwheelman
01-30-2009, 11:26 AM
Laser Engraver and a 5 axis CNC.

carlosgmarroquin
01-30-2009, 12:12 PM
2nd thought: tool changer

ed_lang
01-30-2009, 12:36 PM
WOW, lots of folks want laser engravers.

What kinds of things do you want to engrave? How big are they?

angus_hines
01-30-2009, 12:54 PM
A lathe that I could turn really big stock on (ie;20' x 4') or larger.

Also, you laser engraver wanters I have a GCC 60watt avaliable. Just upgraded to a larger bed and wattage.