ShopBot Tools’ ShopBot Desktop Review: 6 months milestone
I got my amazing ShopBot Desktop from ShopBot Tools six months ago and since then, have put the machine through its paces. Here is a review of how things have gone so far.
30+ models tested and (almost) released!
ShopBot Tools Desktop CNC Router
Over the past 6 months, I’ve cut over 30 models and almost released an equal amount here on WoodMarvels.com – considering I’ve never touched a CNC machine beforehand nor knew how to film with a camera (skill I’m still learning through trial and error) – it’s a pretty impressive hull! I was coming from the laser world where tolerances are a fraction of what they are for CNC routers, parts can share cutting lines and hold-downs… what’s that?
Six months later, I’ve learned how to “hear” if the machine is operating well (I thought Angus and Bill were joking when they told me this) and probably learned more about designing in general through prototyping than I did when I first started WoodMarvels.com. To recap, I learned and was taught once again the joy (toys!) and pain (splinters!) of playing actively with wood again!
Filming cutting and assembly processes
My goal with all these videos is to show proof that these models can go together, as a result I’ve been using (good one side) cheap plywood… the bad part, my fingers have gotten so many splinters in them that now I just “notice” I have one in my finger or hand instead of cursing as I use to do (especially not a good thing when you have hearing muffs on!). These models really work best in my opinion if you are using softwood or maybe even hardwood… but plywood isn’t the best of materials unless you splurge for the expensive stuff. I’ve also gone through my fair share of bits, more than half the time, I must admit, it’s my fault – if you try to cut corners and put in a screw where you think it’s safe… guess what, the ShopBot Desktop seems to have an internal homing system… it will find that screw and put the bit right in its path! I’ve been known to run through 3-4 bits in a 10 minute session of frustration then be fine for weeks on end using the same bit. Bits break, and they usually break one after the other and after the other.
My current ShopBot Desktop set-up with camera, sheets of plywood, computer and workbench.
I recently did a little cutting WITHOUT filming and wow… it’s about twice as fast to cut!
Hold Downs
Hold Downs... in this case, a million screws that don't last very long!
Regarding hold downs, I’ve learned to use too much rather than not enough… as a result, the board underneath is full of holes – not a problem, but because I have so many “small” parts in these CNC router models that I prototype, any movement quickly compounds itself. I’ve also discovered that most screws are junk too… after a half-dozen uses, they wear out! Be sure to get good BIG ShopVac… this little machine produces more saw dust than a beaver building a damn! I got a 20$ one but once I settle down, I’ll be splurging on one that’s much more expensive – to both suck-up MORE dust and keep the machine cool by having all the heat of the spindle hopefully vacuumed-up at the same time.
The ShopBot Desktop is relatively quite even when cutting but the ShopVac is several orders of magnitude louder so hearing protection is a must unless deafness is on your life’s bucket list. Isolating the vacuum system should be one of your priorities as well – ShopVac can learn a thing or two from ShopBot Tools on how to make a quieter machine!
ShopBot Desktop: All-weather-drive!
Once you’ve had the pleasure of cutting models on this machine… you will wonder how you ever managed to live without it. I’m sure when I get a laser cutter and 3D printer it will be the same feeling. There is something so satisfying about having an idea – heading to the garage and being able to cut/assemble it half an hour to an hour later (depending on the model). Regarding the machine itself, it’s run perfectly in less than stellar conditions… from an unheated garage below 0C (I would warm-up my spindle twice before using it just in case) to almost 30C where I was concerned about overheating… but it just keeps on working! I have spent more time with the ShopBot Desktop over the past 6 months than I have with my wife! (She’s in China right now awaiting a VISA so it isn’t by choice)
ShopBot Desktop Accessories
The build platform is very good for this machine too, they already have an indexer and probe (seen in video above) with plans of releasing an attachment that turns it from a CNC router to a laser cutter and even a 3D printer! Additionally, on those lonely shop nights when your wife is screaming at you that it’s time for bed, it will also comfort you with songs you can sing too!
COM Errors: One major caused revealed!
I use the same laptop that does all the video production, 3D animation and image editing as I do with the ShopBot… though they do not recommend this. I might go a day where everything runs fine then another where I might experience a COM error maybe 1-3 times during a 3-6 hour cutting period. The machine is sensitive and you really want to have a dedicated computer running the ShopBot Desktop but if you aren’t in a position to do so… expect it to suffer from Alzheimers every once in a while. I found one major cause of this is sharing the extension wire with other tools, in my case, screwing holes in the board usually caused the ShopBot to come-up with a COM error but if I run the drill from another wall socket… no problem. Same goes with the vacuum. Took me a while to figure that out!
Sore feet
Another thing to watch for is vibration… after 2-3 hours for some reason, the bottom of my feet feel like I’ve walked on a 100 mile hike. They are sore! I’m pretty sure it’s the vibration caused by the machine going into the floor – you want to get a good solid rubber (anti-fatigue) mat as a result so your feet aren’t finished by the end of the day. That’s one of the top things on my list to get once I settle!
WoodMarvels.com CNC Model Testing
Using the ShopBot Desktop as a prototyping tool
At first I though that a 500mm x 400mm cutting space is rather SMALL but in all honesty, it’s really the perfect size for the type of work I do. It means the ShopBot Desktop fits nicely dinner table it’s small enough to be easily lifted and moved without a forklift but strong enough to power through endless sheets of plywood. I even brought it across the border in the car’s trunk along with the shipping crate and various accessories! Try that with a full-sized CNC router table!
CNC Routers vs Laser Cutters
Well, ShopBott’ing is a lot of fun, so much so that I’ve turned it from a noun to a verb! It’s equivalent to driving a motorcycle or airplane vs driving an automatic car (laser cutter). I’ve also come to realize that in general, my laser cut models on WoodMarvels.com are way too small… I upsized some of them 3x over their laser cut cousins and find it a more enjoyable experience as a result. What you lose in “cutting resolution” you gain in scale with CNC routers. They are cheap to operate, bits cost about 10$ and one major advantage over lasers is that you can have precise pocketing (Z-depth) but it comes at a cost of more material wastage (the bit needs material to maneuver on) and the need for holding material down.
It isn’t that one technology is any better than the other… it just depends on the application you plan on using the machine for. When I get a laser cutter, it will be friends with the ShopBot, not something relegated to the corner.
What can you expect from WoodMarvels.com in the future?
I learned a lot from my ShopBot Desktop and I’ll be putting all that knowledge into my 4th volume focused entirely on CNC designs. Basically, a manual that I wished I had when I first got my machine that would have saved me a lot of headaches. The results between CNC routers and laser cutters may seem similar but the design and work behind them is very different. ShopBot Tools gave me great training over two days at their HQ and then I got additional help from Angus Hines of Hines Design Labs and Bill Young to fill in any gaps but only after the training wheels come off do you REALLY learn how things go. Expect this book to be released around the end of the year if all goes according to plan.
ShopBot Desktop: The safest tool in the shed!
I look forward to teaching my children how to ShopBot when they arrive one day… running a ShopBot Desktop is really the safest machine in the shop… short of sticking your finger next to a spinning bit or throwing yourself into the machine – I really can’t imagine how you could ever get hurt by it. It has multiple safeties built right into it (emergency stops, won’t work without a computer, two levels of shielding… ) and when it’s working, you will generally be at your computer watching the progress a meter or two AWAY from the machine. I feel far more at ease operating a ShopBot Desktop than I ever did a jigsaw, bandsaw or a circular saw! It doesn’t get tired, your finger won’t get sliced if you are distracted and if it wasn’t for the ShopVac I have, no hearing or eye protection is needed (as long as you don’t remove the enclosure!)
Some parting comments
It took me about a week to be comfortable running the ShopBot Desktop on my own – this from a guy whose never operated CNC machine before – if you have experience, you’ll find yourself right at ease with the versatility, capability and possibilities that this machine brings to your shop. It’s a wonderful overbuilt tool just like models, overpowered so you never feel underpowered entering a job yet incredibly easy to use. I’ve already recommend this this machine to a few friends who were interested in CNC routing tables.