Is there any documentation anywhere detailing the difference in precision between the 65mm spindle and the trim router as well as the shapeoko 4 pro vs the 5?
I’m trying to weigh on the decision of upgrading to the spindle but I also wondered how much of a difference the ball screw made aside from additional torque which so far I haven’t found I needed on my shapeoko pro.
I do wish it shared the same bitsetter so I could use my 1” surfacing bit without turning off the bitsetter but I guess I’m trying to find other notable reasons that might make me upgrade machines as well as a spindle.
Very good video! I guess more specifically I’m looking for a comparison between the shapeoko pro (belt) vs the 5 (ball screw). I don’t think I have ran into any limitations of my belt driven machine but I’m curious if the ball screws offer any significant benefits that I might not be considering.
The ball-screws help, esp. in terms of rigidity and also consistency, but folks have done some wonderfully intricate projects on the belt-driven machines — it just takes a bit longer and possibly requires a slightly lighter touch for the tool paths:
In terms of sheer precision, the spindle upgrade alone should get you a bit of an improvement. (If only from improvements in the collet taper) Not sure how much it’ll matter but there are other benefits to the spindle.
The ball screws are also just subjectively better in most regards. Again though, this improvement is probably not relevant if you’ve been happy with the belt anyway.
Sounds like both would be good upgrades but neither are strictly necessary. Still, new toys you can write off…
