Hi all,
I just inherited this machine and I was wondering which one it was. So I can find the manuals an other things required to use it.
Any help is appreciated.
The serial number is 3500
That is a Shapeoko 3 XXL. It is likely an older one because they have the Dewalt 611 router. The original SO3 router mount was 69MM and included a 66MM adapter ring to accommodate the Makita/C3D router.
SO3 is an excellent machine. One thing to be aware of is the earlier model SO3 had belt driven Z drive. Those work but the newer Z-Plus is better. Also the earlier SO3 has mechanical homing switches and that would indicate an earlier model controller that would likely need to be replaced to upgrade to proximity switches and maybe some of the accessories like BitSetter and BitZero. Really early SO3 has no homing switches. All can be upgraded if you buy the machine cheap enough.
One last thing about an SO3. The frames of the SO3 are steel and on the XXL the center of the spoilboard tends to sag over time. That can be fixed with a block or removing the leveling feet and placing a piece of 3/4" or 1" rigid foam under the SO3.
From the picture the base board is there but there is no spoilboard that will need to go on top of that base board. You should not use the SO3 without a spoilboard because the base board is integral to the SO3 and should not be cut up.
The SO3 is no longer made but C3D still makes parts for it and there is a big install base of the SO3. However if you want to upgrade to the proximity switch (if it does not have them) and a new controller and the other accessories it might be better to pass and get an SO4 or later machine. The C3D support will help you with problems and our forum also helps new users of used machines.
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Thanks I appreciate the quick response. As I said I inherited it, so it’s not a huge issue if theres some things that should be done to upgrade it or work properly.
Documentation is at:
see:
Even if you are out of date the machine is still quite useful as is. So dont be discouraged about it possibly being an early model. It might not be that old and the SO3 is quite a useful machine. So just get it out and set it up and see what you can do. You will need to get a spoilboard but that is just the cost of a piece of MDF.
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