Potential purchase

CNC Machines
1

I am thinking about purchasing a used Shapeoko 3XXL. Like new hardly ever used.

I think I can buy this for less than $1200 with router and bitsetter along with several bits.

What should I look for and is this a good deal?

Thanks in advance

2

Our recommendation is to consider that a Maintenance Kit will allow one to pretty much rebuild a machine to like new:

and to consider:

  • which Z-axis (belt-drive, Z-Plus, or HDZ) and whether an upgrade is warranted for the work one wishes to do
  • included accessories
  • control board connectors — possibilities range from: original board which only works with mechanical homing switches and probe accessories, later board with PCB Expansion Adapter, so can have proximity switches, current board which has that adapter and a BitRunner connector
  • overall condition of the baseplate
3

The price seems reasonable but a new SO4 XXL $2300.00 so about double the price. The SO3 is a good machine and is still supported by C3D.

The answer to your question would depend on what you anticipate to cut with it. The SO3 can do all material but is not as fast has heavier duty machines like SO4 PRO and SO5 PRo. If you are only going to carve wood then the SO3 would be a good machine. If you are going to primarily cut metal then not so much.

Warning, the things you need to support the CNC is just a start. If you are already a woodworker then a lot of the things needed to feed the CNC are already most of the way there. If you are not a woodworker then the CNC is the least of your expenses. You have to feed the CNC and then finish your work with sanding and finish. The other thing is the time to learn how to use the cnc. So if you do not have the time to dedicate to using the machine then it is false economy to buy a CNC. The learning curve is steep but everyone here on the forum is somewhere on that upward curve. As stated above there are other costs associated with a CNC. Digital calipers, spoilboards, software (Carbide Create is free) and the time to spend designing and carving projects. So dont think you can buy the CNC and place it in your garage and start producing projects. It all depends on your current skill level and your future skill level if buying a CNC for any price is worth it.

I love my Shapeoko SO3 XXL and have made a lot of things on it. That took time to learn and produce things that are worth producing. Not discouraging you but realize there is more to it than buying a machine. As long as you go into this with your eyes wide open then go for it.

One thing to determine is if the Z axis on the SO3 is a belt driven, Z-Plus or an HDZ. The belt drive was on a lot of early machines and works but has problems. Most machines sold in the last couple of years are Z-Plus which is a good Z axis and the HDZ is even better. So make sure you know what you are buying. Personally I would hesitate to buy a belt driven Z but it can upgraded to a Z-Plus for about $250.00. Unfortunately you dont know what you dont know.

1 Like
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Thank you for your help here. I am a woodworker and have many tools to support that. I just thought a CNC would be a tool that could do some of the processes I do with the other tools more quickly and better.

5

Thank you, I like the refurbishment options.

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