Kirk,
I purchased a shopmaster back last Feb. 06 and didn't get it until May. I'm not a machinist by trade so you can take my commemts as such. I had alot of problems with the machine, motors capacitors burning out, alot backlash, so bad in fact that I stopped using the CNC and only used the manual milling. couldn't do any repeat milling. John was very helpful, but never could get it straighten out. I have a good friend in Alaska, that has 30+ years milling and he purchased one and is retruning it. He stated that the quality was very poor and had broken several parts trying to mill. I did return mine and purchased a used Bridgeport and what a difference. Full CNC 3 axis with tooling for about $1500 more that I paid for the shopmaster. For hobby work I assume it is great, but if your planning on any production work, Id go with a better machine. Just my opinion.
BH |