Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC Router: Is it Worth it?

I've had my Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC Router for a while now and I felt it was time to give you my thoughts on this machine.
Previous to the Shapeoko 5 Pro, I had the Shapeoko 3 XL and there have been MANY changes in the 5 Pro. So, let's go over them together.

Key Features of the Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC Router from Carbide 3D.
- Tailor your cutting size: 2x2, 4x2, or 4x4
- Work with a variety of materials, from wood and plastic to select metals
- Attain peak performance and precision with its robust motion system
- Included tools like Sweepy 2.0, Bitsetter, Power Pendant, and more

*********Related CNC Woodworking Videos************
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#shapeoko #shapeoko5 #shapeoko5pro

Shapeoko 5 Pro Review Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 Shapeoko 5 Pro control box
1:19 Shapeoko Power Pendant
1:35 Shapeoko 5 Pro ballscrews and linear rails
2:31 Carbide 3D BitSetter
2:50 Shapeoko 5 Pro size
3:35 Workholding table bed
4:35 Gantry Light
4:53 Sweepy V2 Dust Boot
5:45 Shapeoko 3D Project

[nitrojunkie]

I will be upgrading to a 4x2 in the near future (I currently have a Shapeoko 4 Standard). I'm glad to see that the Bitsetter is standard equipment now. The Bitsetter is probably by far the best accessory you can have.

[knecht]

Excellent overview of this new machine, I have been wondering how this new machine is for accuracy, from your detail work it looks pretty accurate

[chrishayes]

rigidity and capabilities as far as how hard you can push the machine are probably the most important metrics to review IMO.

[mmmmmmm]

Can you talk about the table? Like how stable the table is re: racking back and forth during carves?

[PatoLoco]

Great review. Overall, worth it for a beginner/DIYer?

[J.erem.y]

This machine is a ticking time bomb, the controller they designed has wrongly specc'd octo couplers, cold solder joints. A lot shipped with missing components off the main controller board itself. You are locked into using their over priced spindles if you add one as they molested the signal coming out for speed control unless your willing to take it apart and bypass the noise isolation completely to get a usable signal. On the spindles, they spin up 0-100 percent on power on even using their offering.
More often than not, you will get the machine missing parts/hardware and pretty much every bolt on this thing isn't torqued correctly right out of the box.

Oh and they put little tiny stepper motors on it and give them way too much current to the point of if you even come near the heat sink you will get burned, they are so above their thermal budget in this design I couldn't imagine the stepper drivers lasting more than a year/year and a half with decent use. They also delete / moderate / censor thread on their own forum of people talking about more of the serious problems with this machine.

I'm sorry, I have the 3XXL and bought the 5 because I loved the old one. What a giant mistake. In my opinion the only thing that can fix this machine is a torque wrench and the a Masso Controller conversion.

BUYER BEWARE.

[frankshannon]

It’s definitely worth it but now there’s the AltMill and things are getting complicated. I’m frozen until I know more.

[jackwagonww]

How fast does this rapid? Seems slow in the video.

[rclewis]

Thanks for the video! I am considering this CNC or the Onefinity Journeyman Pro. Did you do any compares prior to buying the Shapeoko ?

[RobertGreiner-osum]

I also have been having many problems with my 5 pro. Very depressing to say the least.

[michaels]

Don’t buy this machine. I just bought one. They sent it with an untested controller that was defective with a common problem that is plaguing their controller boards. They say they fixed the problem as of a few months ago but my board purchased a couple weeks ago had the same issue. The company themselves wrote blog posts on this issue talking about how much of a problem this has been for them. They are trying to push out more of these than they can handle to quickly. Their support is awful as well. They knew I was backed up on orders because of their delays after many email correspondence calls and voicemails. Despite saying they would overnight a controller I still haven’t even received so much as a shipping confirmation after almost a week of following up daily.

Save your frustration and money. Buy a more professional machine. If you’re trying to start a side business it will pay itself off in no time. Why spend thousands on a junk. They have great YouTube marketing but don’t be fooled!!

Do you buy power tools at harbor freight? Then don’t buy a shapeoko

[rat]

Is the one stipulation for getting kickback or a free machine from a company for doing a review on youtube is to never show the machines running in real time and without the true sounds the machine actually makes?..i mean i cant find one video of any of these machines that the video has not been sped up or stupid music playing instead of the machine sounds..its just ridiculous that all the cnc videos are basically clickbait and the only thing making money is the youtube channel and the cnc manufacture while the machines sit in peoples garages not being used after they fell for the crap bogus videos you youtubers make while there dreams die because the machine is crap and slow..you should be ashamed of yourself