Looking to buy a Shapeoko 5 Pro 2 x 2 for a small garage shop, also for a beginner. I am pretty good with technology. Wondering if it would be a good purchase or just get the 2 x 4? Just worried about footprint for what I am going to use it for?
I suspect if you are working primarily with wood, you will soon want more cutting area. If you are working primarily with metal, you may be fine with 2 x 2. A lot a variables involved in your question that ultimately only you will be able to weigh the importance of.
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My recommendation is:
- if your small projects will fit on it, get a 2x2
- if working with boards, get a 4x2
- if working with sheet goods, get a 4x4
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Last year I bought an SO4 Standard 2x2… I was also a beginner and I’m kicking myself for not going bigger on my first machine. I also have a small shop (garage) where everything has to be moved so I can park the other half’s car in the winter but I’m sure I could make a 4x2 work 
All that to say get the 4x2!!!
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I am from Texas so everything is better bigger. However if space is an issue then the 4x2 would work. Even with longer items you can use the pass through option as long as you can move your machine out so a 4x8 piece of plywood can pass through. Obviously you have to have support for the part hanging off the outside of the machine.
I have an SO3 XXL with about 32" x 32" cutting capacity. Frankly it is big enough that length has never really been a problem. Plus a longer job can be made in 2 or more parts and the length is unlimited. The long term use is what is important. If you are going to make small items a 2x2 would work but I would not get less than a 4x2 for those times when 2’ is just not enough. I dont think you would regret a 4x2 although a 4x4 takes up a lot of room you would definitely find jobs for the 4x4 if you had it.
The real question is what is your use? Small jobs or sheet goods. The SO5 can cut any kind of wood and soft metals. So the answer depends on what you are going to do.
Get the 4 x 2 . Make the room. I avoided the 4 x4 for because of room.
The 4 x 2 works well for me ( no Sheet work).
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I went for the 2x4 over the 2x2 simply because it gives you the ability to work with the full width of a sheet of plywood, even if you’d have to move it 3 times for the length. 4x4 you would have to move it once, but I didnt know what I would be doing
2x2 just was smaller than i want, but it would have been fine
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Thanks for the input, to everyone, I think when I buy I am gonna go with the 2 x 4…DO you all have any insight as to lessons learned when you were starting out?
I am a wood worker using hand-tools and some power tools, but want to get into a hybrid mix of 3D carving, both via machine and by hand. Already feeling accepted by this community, very cool.
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Start with simple files/tasks, cut in inexpensive/scrap material and build on successes and learn from failures.
For “real” projects, apply the “rule of 3” and plan on cutting it three times — first a test in scrap, then a dry run in some inexpensive material, then only commit and full-send for real once everything has been proved out.
Don’t underestimate the difficulties of workholding, and consider a belt-and-suspenders approach where both blue painters tape and mechanical workholding are used.
For 3D work, you may want to look into 2-sided operations:
or even making your own fixtures:
Note that there are entire books on workholding:
(from: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/21394355-william-adams?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=cnc)
and we have a fair number of references, esp.
I made plenty of mistakes that are mostly procedures
Establish a pre-flight checklist early on so you get into the routine before starting
if using a vfd spindle, for example, making sure the rocker switch is on and you see a number on the VFD before hitting start, it took like 3 “mistakes” before I learned that one
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I just had a random thought
I dont know where you’re at, and I dont know this seller, but dont be afraid of used machines, sometimes people let them go:
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Just post what you make and how you made it. Everyone here has made expensive firewood and is willing to share lessons learned.
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Well myself and my 3XL just like to stay warm. no problem the bucket is always full.
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Hi Pete…I have an unused ShapeOko 5 2x2 that was professionally set up by another ShapeOko owner last year but never run. I thought it would be used for production but never got to that stage. Has spare parts including an extra unused controller…In Long Beach CA 90803 if interested. Selling for $2800 John 714-243-7745