Stepping up to ShopBot

[meat]

Brady Watson wrote: "Yep...Brian is right. The Sears machine is a re-badged CarveWright. It is a very light duty machine that comes in below ShopBot in both price & capability. No doubt that these machines will be the 1st step for many looking to step up to a more production duty machine such as a PRT or Alpha...especially after their limitations are fully realized. Personally, I feel that there is plenty of room for everyone to play in the CNC market at this time...so while some view the Sears machine as a threat, I look to it as a market stimulator and not a threat to ShopBot's position in the market. "

I own a couple of the Sears CompuCarve machines, and they do what I want them to do.

I may be stepping up to a ShopBot soon, though.

Not because of the limitations of CW machine, but because of the CW user forum. It's a VERY unfriendly place, with mods who threaten and/or ban members and who remove posts constantly. If you have any issue with the machine or the mods just don't like you ... they bully you or ban you.

It's a real shame, too; the mods there aren't employees of the company, yet the company allows them to be the face presented to the public. I know several members who have left, some that have been banned, etc.

I've been perusing your site here (I and a few other members from CW seem to be moving in the direction of the ShopBot), and it seems that it's got more of a community with a better vibe to it.

I really like(d) my CW, too.


Your pal,
Meat.

[Brady Watson]

Shawn,
Welcome to the ShopBot Forum. I think that you will enjoy your time here. Be sure to use the search function (or use the Google toolbar to search this site) to find answers to just about anything having to do with CNC routing.

The CW machine is pretty neat for what it is, but all allegience & pride of ownership aside, it is limited in it's capabilities if you rely on the machine to make money. If you can swing it, I highly recommend attending the 2007 ShopBot Jamboree in San Mateo (just a few weeks away). You'll have a chance to meet other owners and I think that you'll find that we're a unique bunch. Most of us are down home & easy going with lots of cheap solutions and techniques to expensive or exotic ideas. There will be a few machines in operation at the event. If you don't get a chance to go to the Jamboree, call ShopBot to find someone in your area that can give you a demo. There will be many 3D gurus of sorts at the Jamboree this year. It would be worth your while to compare notes on the types of things that you produce on your CW machine and how a ShopBot could give a shot in the arm to your current capabilities.

-B