I’m looking for a CNC that is a decently portable that I can lift and move around solo, and possibly travel with once in a while. Chat GPT is telling me that this machine weights up to 190lbs fully assembled, is this correct? Seems like a lot for its size?
Anyone have experience with this? For context, I’m a decently strong guy in my 30s.
Thanks
-Archie
ps - I wouldn’t to need carry it / walk with it. Just small bursts of lifting, and repositioning
According to:
https://carbide3d.com/shapeoko/shapeoko5pro-specs/
the total weight of the 3 packages, with material and all electronics is 182 pounds for a 2x2, so deduct the weight of the latter.
I move a smaller and lighter machine on a miter saw stand:
it might be workable to use a similar stand scaled to the SO5 Pro at that size.
Sounds like you are a traveling man. All CNC machines have to be level to perform well. Most people seldom move a CNC so after they get it square and level they are not moving it. If you are going to travel with it then you will need to level and square the machine every time you move it. It is not that hard but needs to be done after a move. Another issue will be dust collection. So you need a dust collection or you will have a mess after machining wood or metal. So you need that as well beside the basic machine. Another thing you need are the bits, calipers and misc things like pencils and rulers. So you will need to make a kit to travel with. Like need some cases to hold everything and an inventory to make sure you gather everything up when you move again. Likely doable but will take considerable room. The CNC itself needs to stay out of the weather. The back of an SUV or a covered pickup that is weather proof would work. Hauling on the back seat of a car would be iffy due to flexing the machine going back to squaring and leveling the machine after moving.
I’ve moved the machine and set it up to teach at a conference once. It wasn’t completely miserable but I don’t want to do it again ever.
@Archie, if you can live within an 8 x 8 x 3" (or so) workspace you might look at a Nomad. There is video somewhere of the very first prototype machining on a desk in a motel room, and I am sure that I saw photos in the early days of one set up in the back of an SUV. Just a thought… 
I agree that the Nomad is really the only model that is pickup/carry portable - like the first portable computers were luggable.
For any other machine, an enclosed trailer or large van are needed to make a readily portable setup - I remember one guy who posted on the forum with his CNC setup on a rack in the storage compartment of his coach RV.
I’ve transported my SPROXXL in the back of my SUV a number of times - it’s doable but requires taking off the X/Z gantry just to make it manageable to man-handle into the vehicle. The only reason the SPROXXL works fine again after getting it all back together is due to the aluminum bed tracks keeping it solid.
The 2x2’ Spro5 should readily fit into the back of an SUV, but getting it in/out is the hard part - you can easily either wreck your CNC or vehicle if you suddenly can’t handle the weight or slip & drop it.
Awesome! Thanks guys for the responses.
The Nomad unfortunately is too small - 2’x2’ would be absolute minimum.
I think I’ll abandon the hopes of a 35"x 35" machine as being solo portable…based on the weight, plus the new reasons mentioned above why its not the best idea moving a CNC that is not specifically designed to be portable.
In that case I’ll do a 4x2 and it will stay put.
Thanks again!
I had an Osborne and then an Osborne II. Well, Actually my dad did, but I inherited the latter. I would say luggable was generous.