Are there currently any discount codes for someone wanting to purchase a HDM?
I don’t believe that there are discount codes. There’s usually a black friday thing, but that’s usually included accessories rather than $x off.
Are you having an issue with a current machine? Quick look at the support queue doesn’t show anything from you, but if you pm me your e-mail I can look into the case.
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I’m still using a shapeoko 3 that has been plagued with shortcomings. Today the shaft broke off my y axis stepper motor. I’m sick of it constantly missing steps. I know it’s my fault for pushing it a little too hard. I only have time to use it on the weekends, so I need a machine that can handle the workflow.
ShapeOko 3, upgrade to XXL. I, too, had just about every Z-axis error you could have. The two most difficult to identify (but easy to rectify)–one was a loose set screw on the pulley on the stepper motor. It would slide back and forth about 40 degrees–sometimes. Never while testing and troubleshooting.
Second was damn 1/8" collet reducers. I got myself an actual 1/8 inch collet for smaller bits, and this is the way.
That said, I got the HDM. I didn’t need it, as such, but I love it.
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Have you had any issues with it? I’m try to justify buying one. I’ve ruined about $120 worth of Richlite in the last week. The SO3 has gotta go!
You shouldn’t need an HDM to cut Richlite (which cuts quite easily/well) — so long as you have appropriate feeds and speeds for the tooling you are using and toolpaths which don’t overly tax the machine and the machine is mechanically sound.
If you’ll contact us at support@carbide3d.com we will arrange to send you a replacement motor and if you’ll send in a .c2d file we’ll have someone work with you to create a file which will cut well on a Shapeoko 3 and verify that (my belt-drive Z-axis machine which I usually keep at my mother-in-law’s is at home with me for reasons (swapping parts around) and I’ve got some Richlite sheets, so we can verify this.
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I really appreciate the support. My father (who is a machinist) told me to buy the best machine I can afford. A HDM would also open up more opportunities for me. I’ve seen a few videos of it in action. I really wish I could find more! How would you describe its capabilities?
Also, how would the HDM compare to the 5 pro assuming it was equipped with the same spindle?
Those are questions for @Luke
The HDM is more rigid, so if pushed really hard, can remove more material in a given amount time, and should be able to achieve a nicer surface finish with less effort.
The SO5 Pro will have a larger working area, and will eventually be able to remove a given amount of material, and with the appropriate approach, tooling, and feeds and speeds, should be capable of excellent surface finishes.
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@wmoy Just posted a video on his channel using the HDM:
It’s worth watching the whole thing, but he briefly mentions comparisons at around the 8:23 mark.
Winston or Luke might be able to chime in better on the overall capabilities. The HDM has a watercooled spindle and has stronger motors, so probably still overall slightly punching above the Shapeoko 5. Though having seen that stress test Winston linked, not sure that either machine is lacking.
Edit: Will snuck in with the response right before I hit send
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The HDM is a beefier machine as a whole - It has a significantly smaller work area than the S5 Pro 4x4 but was designed to cut non ferrous metals, composites and thicker stock. As such it uses solid billet Y Rails and a very chunky X extrusion.
That said the S5 is no slouch, if you are cutting wood or composites it’s going to cut those all day long with ease. It can handle aluminium but is a slightly ligher machine. They have different electronics but both can use a spindle. The S5 was designed to be bigger - and with that comes a whole different set of design parameters which makes it work really well with larger pieces.
Really it comes down to what are you going to make. If you want to cut aluminium or smaller projects I’d go for the HDM. If I was going to be doing mainly wood work and you question if you can fit your projects on a HDM I’d opt for the S5.
I’m a huge fan of spindles - regardless of machine choice I’d be putting a spindle on the S5.
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Does the S5 touch probe work on the HDM?
The HDM has it’s own BitSetter and the Bit Zero work with both.
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I’m glad you expanded on “issues” and that they were the result of pushing harder than the capabilities of the machine. Self realization is a great trait to have and it helps a lot. 
I have both an HDM and a SO5 Pro 4x4, and would like to answer your question in the best way possible. What are your use cases, projects, and materials? The “better” machine depends heavily on what you’re doing as there is not a “best” machine at everything.
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Should I go with the 2.2kw spindle on the HDM? I’m an electrician, so that’s not a problem.
Those knife handles are really nice! What material do you use?
So far I’ve used a variety of hardwoods, and a few exotic species. I’ve also done a bit of micarta and richlite.
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If you have the capability to go 220V, do it. The extra power is nice. And I wish I had the 2.2 on mine.
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The order has been placed. Thank you.
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