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  1. jstults says:

    That looks like a really nice little machine. How do you like the bundled CAM software?

    I’ve also been looking at the little Sherline CNC mills; do you have any of those in the shop?

    1. Dan Spangler says:

      the software bundle that comes with the Shopbot is top-notch, it comes with both a 2.5D cam program and 3D profiling cam program. I personally use Autodesk Inventor to model the parts then I export them into the cam program (Partworks). However Partworks is more then capable of doing its own simple CAD work.

      as far as the Sherline’s go, ill have to ask you first what kind of machine work are you expecting to do? the shop bot is whats considered a CNC router meaning it has a larger build are but has a less rigid construction and a high speed spindle. A Sherline is a CNC Mill so it has a low speed spindle smaller build are but a more rigid frame. what all this means is the Shopbot is great at soft materials like wood, plastic and some soft metal like aluminum and brass, and while it can cut respectable tolerances its not a high precision machine. the Sherline, on the other hand, can cut hard materials like steel and titanium, while also holding precise tolerances. so if you replay back to me with what kind of machien work you think you will be doing i can give you my review on Sherlines.

      the others commets make a good point if your new to CNC machining try the cheaper alternatives thats an economic decision. BUT I will say this, the shopbot is VERY user friendly and has a very short learning curve. I was able to teach a friend how to effectively and safely use the machine in just a couple of hours.

      hope this helps


  2. Tommy Phillips says:

    Do yourself a favor, though: play with one at a hackspace or something before dropping the coin. I got a ShapeOko, and have been learning things I didn’t know I was ignorant about. When I start pushing its bounds, I will look at something like the ShopBot. Until then, I have a lot less money invested in my learning curve.

    1. E.J. Strauss says:

      It’s a beautiful bot, but I have to agree with the Tommy on this. ShapeOko will set you back well less than $1000, and even if you add a nice spindle, like something from Wolfgang Engineering and make the cutting area bigger (my ‘Oko is about 10×12″ at this point) you’re going to spend under $1500 in materials and broken bits and have a respectable machine. My bot can do aluminum, brass and hardwoods. If you have a mostly sturdy frame, it’s not about IF the bot can do cuts in those materials. Rather, it’s about how long you are willing to wait for the cut. The ShopBot would make much shorter work of things than my machine, of course. Check out Zenbot and CNC Mogul as starting points, in addition to ShapeOko.

  3. billsmith1948 says:

    I find Dan Spangler’s illiteracy inappropriate for someone who calls themselves a writer.