Thinking of getting this machine just wondering what i should check out. It would be my 1st cnc
We have a page on this at:
https://carbide3d.com/hub/faq/buying-used-shapeoko/
the big thing to consider is that an SO3 can pretty much be rebuilt to like new w/ a Maintenance Kit:
Further note that this machine looks to have an HDZ Z-axis, which is a nice upgrade.
Just to add - the HDZ for the S3 machines is $450. So, quite a valuable upgrade if the whole machine is priced right!
Looks like a spindle as well, another valuable upgrade. That one doesn’t look like it’s from C3D, but a C3D spindle is $750.
If you can, have the owner at least power the machine on, jog it around a bit, and turn the spindle on and off (or run the ‘Spindle Warmup’ Quick Action, if they are using Carbide Motion).
I have an SO3 XXL for about 6 years. It has pretty much trouble free. The belts are the limiting factor for doing aggressive metal work. For wood it is a great machine. You can do metal but it is best suited for wood. Having the spindle is a plus. The SO3 is still supported and they have parts for it. Mine has BitZero, BitSetter and BitRunner. I have put many many hours on mine almost trouble free.
It just depends on price. The new SO5 is about $5000.00 +/-. The SO5 and HDM are beasts for metal work. But the SO3 is no slouch. Not sure how much longer C3D will support the SO3 but for now it is a great machine for the right price. How much do they want for it?
Just hope you are a KC fan.
The Shapeoko 3 had an opensource variant, the “Stepoko”, distributed by Sparkfun, so worst-case is one downloads the files and makes one’s own parts.
1paid 1200 was that fair
Seems about right with the spindle. You should get BitSetter/BitZero. These two accessories make life much simpler.
Came with a bit zero
I would definitely get a BitSetter once you get comfortable using the machine. Once you start making projects that require more than one bit, the BitSetter improves the workflow just so much.
That said, the BitSetter is an improvement, not a necessity. It can wait until you need it.
Would be interested to hear more on this, as I would have thought Bit Setter would be necessity but Bit Zero would be nice-to-have. Currently, I have a Bit Setter but no Bit Zero. How would it work if you are carving a part that requires a bit change part way through? After you change a bit mid-carve, how would the machine know how long the new bit is?
In the absence of a BitSetter, one has to write out a separate file for each tool in sequence, then after changing the tool, re-set the Z-axis zero.
“…one has to write out a separate file for each tool in sequence, then after changing the tool, re-set the Z-axis zero.”
That sounds brutal. Not sure I agree with @mhotchin above. I’d much rather hold off on a Bit Zero and use the paper method, but get a Bit Setter first then not stress about bit changes when carving a part.
Any other upgrades i should be looking into
I would recommend using the machine as it is, then deciding where the pain points are and addressing them, based on how they relate to your budget and perception of value.
All the accessories are intended to make using the machine easier:
- Sweepy makes dust collection nicer
- threaded inserts/sea of holes workholding makes securing stock easier (my recommendation is to have a master file for making them, and install them as needed, that way you’re confident an insert is used at least once)
- BitSetter makes multi-tool projects easier — folks only using one tool, or only roughly changing tools in-between can do w/o (e.g., 3D work w/ the nifty depth rings on all tooling)
- BitZero makes setting origin relative to rectangular stock easier — but folks using only rough cut lumber or a single zero position don’t need it
- HDZ is awesome for increased rigidity, and on an SO3 increases X-axis work area and paired w/ an HD mount, can be a really nice upgrade, esp. since it makes possible a “real” spindle
- a VFD spindle is an awesome upgrade for a machine
- a cyclone such as the Mullet which we sell can easily pay for itself in savings on filters and bags
Has a water cooled spindle,sea of hold downs, bit zero and sweepyand hdz
On BitZero v2, just when I thought I fully understood the device, I saw this video:
At 2:30, he starts the corner process and the reference bit goes to the 4 points of the cylinder to establish XY zero. Then at the end, it touches off on the top of the unit. With that final touch off I would have thought it set the Z zero, as well, but it seems the user then has to start a second proving to set Z zero? The person in vid was not sure that that final touch set Z zero or not.
Can you confirm?
If you probe for all 3 axes, then all three will be set, see:
The first time all 3 zeros are set. The second time he touches off the top in order to just set Z zero for those times when you only need Z zero set.
