I bought my Shapeoko almost a year ago. I am an experienced woodworker and I have done some machining, but CNC work was totally new to me. I had some projects in mind when I bought the machine, but (now I know) they were pretty complicated for a newbie.
I had some issues with my machine, some hardware and some software, that were promptly dealt with by Carbide’s support team. I also got frustrated with computer issues and not having enough time for the learning curve and learning multiple pieces of software…so I mothballed my machine for a few months.
I recently got it out of storage, upgraded a few things, and started using it again. I love the new Z plate and the Makita router shim. It seems like the software updates have solved most of my computer frustrations too.
I can honestly say that my machine is now accurate, square, reliable, repeatable, and joy to use. I spent 6 hours milling a few projects on Monday without a single mistake, computer glitch, crash, etc.
Thanks for the great machine and continued customer support Carbide 3D! …now an off the shelf dust boot/vacuum attachment would be a great addition…
Router Mounted (moves up and down with the router/Z-Axis)
Z-Axis Independent CNC Dust Boot
The router mounted style is everywhere; I originally got one from Improbable Constructs, but there are plenty of other options on the web (and in various posts on this forum).
The Z-Axis, Independent boot is something new to me. I have only seen the one called Suckit!, so I don’t know if other options exist. There was a Kickstarter for the new Shapeoko 3 Suckit!, but it just ended. I would think that it would be available on their website in a couple of months. I pledged for one via Kickstarter, so I hope to give it a try over the Holiday break (I was lucky enough to get an early-bird pledge, so mine will arrive in time for the Holidays).
Brandon Fischer, better known as Improbable Construct over on the original Shapeoko Forums (and a member of “Team Shapeoko” http://www.shapeoko.com/team.php )
Thanks for links guys. I know there are a few out there, but most of them are for the Dewalt router and I use a Makita. Hopefully, with Carbide now using Makitas too there might be some better options for me. I guess I should just get my act together and make one.
and I wrote up a fairly description of my own design for the SO1/2: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3658 — modified it slightly for the SO3,and will need to revisit it for the new spindle carriage plate and the too tall mount I want to begin using.
