Hello Everyone...

I am not as active as I would like to be on this forum. I have fortunately been too busy to take the time. However, I felt that I must take the time to share my experience with the new "Production Support Program".

About a year and a half ago, I purchased an older PRT using a Porter Cable router. I have really pushed her through some large production runs since then. Cutting material such as: 3/4" ply, 1" cast acrylic, 1" MDF, 1/4" aluminum and so-on...

Coming from a background of exhibit and display work running big $ Komos, I was pleasantly surprised how much more I was accomplishing with my old bot... Just a little slower .

I began to see a few things happening from my abuse... (I did use a regular maintenance program though)

1: Edge quality was getting very poor

2: Y carriage was running out of square with far side motor lagging behind

3: Bearings were beginning to ride on/off of the angle

Durring this whole time I had only been able to max out my speed in 3/4" ply at 1.5 ipm, using a 1/4" compression bit at .13" per pass. My traversing speed was limited to 3 ipm.

I had received a call from Gary Campbell after he began working for ShopBot. He told me about the new Production Support Program and it's benefits. I debated for some time about the program and thinking about all of the other things I could do with the $. But, with another production run looming in the near future, I trusted Gary's input and pulled the trigger on this new program.

I would love to buy a new Alpha machine. But, if I want to be in business next year, I need to make my current machine get me through another solid year.

Long-story-short... After Gary's visit to my shop, here are the results:

1: Everything plumb, level, square and STAYS that way!

2: I am now cutting 3/4" birch ply (laminated both sides) with a 3/8" compression at 3.5 ipm and .38" per pass!!!! Not to mention I am now traversing at 8 ipm!!!

3: Pinions mesh perfectly and bearings ride true.

Now I can actually reach the proper feeds and speeds to create the chip-load required!! I am making chips instead of dust.

I decided to test the edge quality as well: 2" Sign Foam, with an extended length 1/4" 3 flute upcut cutting 1.01" per pass at 3 ipm. Result: Hardly any chatter. (same job that I had run the day before Gary's visit and had to sand for hours)

This service will pay for itself in many ways: Life of expensive carbide bits, labor times, parts/upgrades (20% off in the program)...+++

I am so pleased with my decision to participate in this program, all of the support I have received on this forum and from Shopbot staff. This has sealed-the-deal for my next purchase to stay with Shopbot.

If anyone has any questions about my experience, please feel free to contact me here.

Thank you to Gary Campbell and Shopbot for the service and the ability to put "beans and weenies" on my family's table!

Rick Wyatt

P.S. No.... I am not a paid spokesman...