It does a pretty tidy job of demonstrating how well Carbide kept the cost down on the Shapeoko Pro with the smaller rails and belt drives. If they’d put in all the extras people were asking for they’d likely have ended up at a similar cost.
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Exactly.
If there’s one thing that matters most with these machines, its balance. And the SPro looks like its going to perform very well the way its setup and at that price point.
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Yea, it seems like you have to go to 2200 Watts to get an ER20 collet on a Chinese spindle (too bad). Although some 120V outlets in the US can support 20A, most are only rated for 15A. So it’s likely a “1500W” input power spindle (probably less than 900W output). Gotta be careful with those Chinese specs! 
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The price did shock me for the X-carve. As mentioned above, that price competes with the likes of Avid and Axiom, which are arguably a lot more machine.
It really makes you appreciate the work that goes into balancing price vs performance. I do take my hat off to the C3D team for nailing that. Incrementally updating/refining results in a very finished, balanced machine.
Everybody defaults to wanting ballscrews and rails (which we now have) but my trusty old XXL with wheels and belts hammers through 1” birch ply and aluminium, it’s easy to forget that.
Now, 4’x4’ please 
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I read through the press release of the Xcarve Pro and they offer a touch probe but no BitSetter and no mention of a BitRunner like accessories. For the price it is quite hefty and if I were to spend that amount of money I would probably go to the next level of commercial machines in the $10,000 range with a 4x8 machine. But I am cheap at heart and it would take a lot to open up my pocket book and spend $5,000-$10,000 dollars. .
For what I do my Shapeoko with HDZ, BitSetter, BitRunner and BitZero hits a sweet spot that I think will be hard to beat. Comparing Xcarve and Shapeoko is apples and oranges, although similar in size and features the Easel Online Only software is a non-starter for me. I hated that Fusion360 was online only. Although most people are used to high speed broadband that is not the case for me and is a drag but not everyone is on the top of the digital divide. Yea for the Shapeoko Team
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5’X5’ could make it more attractive than even 4’X8’ machines for Baltic Birch fans!
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I would be happy with that… would give me space for a 4th axis up the side…
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I wonder if they will be selling the XCarve Pro Spindle and VFD?
Would be nice to put on my XXL
The Nomad 883 spindle wasn’t available separately, I doubt the Nomad 3 spindle will be — check in at sales@carbide3d.com for an actual answer though.
Will preorder information be announced today? Mainly what time does it start on Thursday (and timezone) and what all options are available to pick (router included or no router included options).
I interpreted the question as referring to the spindle and vfd from the XCarve Pro mentioned earlier.
An official c3d vfd spindle would be a great addition to the Shapeoko line, however.
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I agree… If Carbide 3D made a spindle upgrade attachment (“HDS” Heavy Duty Spindle), similar to how they market the HDZ, I bet they would have large interest.
Many people that purchase these type of machines are probably scared to get an aftermarket 2.2kW spindle and VFD. A plug and play solution designed by Carbide 3D would probably fit a market niche very nicely, as does the HDZ.
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Kind of mystified as to why they chose to limit themselves to ER-11 collets and no greater than 8mm (or 5/16") tooling.
I’d really like to see a spindle which is:
- optimized to a 110V circuit (it would be okay if it required a dedicated 20 amp outlet/circuit)
- has a larger collet such as ER-16 or ER-20
- has a quick-change mechanism
When I get a dedicated workshop I’m definitely going for a 220V outlet to accommodate something like to: https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-fm-1000-ws-milling-motor — if they’d just do that in 110V, I’d buy one.
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Will preorder information be posted today? I want to be prepared.
Correct, we’re aware of the date the preorders would start, I was inquiring about what time and timezone it would start in addition to if there would be options of selecting no router or router included for the Shapeoko Pro.
I imagine them selling out in minutes, so want to have a heads-up 
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Ah, right, sorry, I read that too fast. Definitely contact sales then for a definitive answer
The quick change is the expensive toy on your Christmas list there
But as for the rest, the bulk manufactured spindles with ER20 are 2.2kW but that doesn’t mean you have to be able to drive all that current. As I understand it, when the VFD runs out of delivery current capacity that presents a torque limit for the motor and it effectively stalls away from the drive RPM causing the VFD to detect and try to recover. One would imagine that with a reasonable order volume somebody like HuanYang or Delta would be able to provide a 110V input drive with a firmware configured current limit for the machine. We know that drives with step-up input stages to drive 220V three phase off 110V input are already in volume manufacturing.
The other option would be to see what order volume is required for G Penny or similar to fit an ER20 collet onto the 1.5kW 110V motor.
Neither of these things make sense for an individual, but for a vendor…
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That and running a 220V line, or at least sourcing a 220V extension cord from the laundry room to where the Shapeoko Pro will get set up.
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