I promise I did use the search function, but came up blank… Would anyone happen to know whether the new recently-announced S3 Pro is compatible with the HDZ/HD 80mm mount? (or another ‘supported’ way to validate the use of an 80mm spindle)
I was all but set to buy a second (larger footprint) machine from “A.N.Other” vendor, and so had already bought (and have on-hand) a second 80mm 2.2kw spindle/VFD… and then the S3 Pro machine was announced… quite frankly, much of what I do can fit within a 32"x32" envelope, so I’m very VERY intrigued by it… but I just cannot consider this new platform if this awesome looking machine has to operate with what is (IMO) a crappy, highly-fallible trim-router… Cheers!
Thanks… Lol! Doesn’t help when I already have the 80mm canister sat here & paid for!!
If that option is announced (and: as an option - not an add-on) VERY soon, I may well be joining the back of the wait list line…
(another Z limit switch blew on my XXL machine this afternoon, darnit! I run this machine everyday. It carved perfectly this morning… this afternoon I went to set zero, and another blown limit switch… request #2: C3D - PLEASE offer an upgrade path to proximity switches for existing S3 users ASAP… this is a royal PITA!!)
I’m sure they thought about it since well… pro machine. Might just be a case of being super busy with the current machine before adding replacement holders.
My understanding is the plan for the Shapeoko Pro and 80mm spindle mount is to work up an adapter plate for the HDZ — that will then allow using the HD 80mm spindle mount.
Check in w/ @edwardrford and @Luke to see if anything else is planned.
Thanks William, but if I were to be 100% honest, that sounds like an expensive expansion option, and put’s it into 80mm spindle-ready, full (X,Y,Z) lead-screw and 4’x4’ platform territory with A.N.Other vendor from within my homeland (Canada)… exactly the kind of quandry I’m hoping to avoid - C3D have been very fair/good to me, I’d like to stay ‘in the fold’…
There just might be enough meat to machine out the stock mount to 80mm like I did here, and barely miss the top stepper. However, its not the most ridgid, but does the job.
I’m interested in this too for slightly different reasons. I’m going to try to sell my bone stock SO3 and get a pro. I’d like to get the HDZ with it out of the gate instead of paying for the normal Z axis which I won’t use. Buy once cry once sorta thing. The pro looks far sturdier too so it would seem like it would be a perfect fit for the HDZ.
@WLDOR if it’s only an adapter plate plate you may be able to machine it yourself. Still it’d be one heck of a job and I can understand the reluctance.
Being honest for my uses even the current z axis would probably be okay, I really want the use of an 80 mm spindle though. I’d be happy with an 80mm spindle mount for the current Z if carbide 3d thinks it’s strong enough. I’d still prefer the better stiffness of the HDZ on a pro machine but ah well at least I could use a better spindle.
I asked support and it sounds like they plan to offer it in the future but not right now. I suspect they are probably overwhelmed with orders for the normal machine
"We’re considering having the HDZ as a standard option since we’ve had a lot of customers asking about it, but it’s not something that we have a firm timeline for yet.
As of right now, the Shapeoko Pro won’t work with the HDZ because we still need to machine a part for compatibility."
Having second thoughts about selling my XXL now. I may want to hold off until they do announce a date for the Pro HDZ. I’d rather not buy a router for the pro only to replace it with a spindle in 2 months. Better to just wait.
I received the same response (Brandon is AWESOME, and -THE- nicest/most helpful guy). Personally, I have zero intention of parting with my XXL (w/HDZ, bitsetter & 2.2kw spindle), but I need a second machine - primarily for ‘redundancy’, but the option for a larger footprint is VERY compelling… and if I have to spend ~$3700CAD on an XXL Pro, and then add an HDZ to it (I’m in Canada, they’re only available to us Canucks via the US mothership, so I have ludicrous duties to pay), then (frankly) I’d be foolish to not look to the noise from the peanut gallery… and there are some extremely compelling arguments for 48"x48" machines out there… especially since I’m already sat on a spare spindle & VFD that are only awaiting a machine… JM2C
