Hi everyone,

I am considering purchasing a Shopsabre Pro408 CNC. The quote I got was about $45k with an ATC. I'm new to CNC and have been doing everything with table saws and jigs up to this point .

Does anyone have experience with this unit or feedback? I am a low volume shop. A few kitchens a year, fill the rest of the time with built-ins. Even at this low volume and with low overhead I am finding it difficult to compete doing everything by hand so I'm considering purchasing a CNC despite the big initial investment.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Weve owned that machine for maybe 4 years now. 10HP HSD, 10 position tool changer. Off loaded from the truck and had it making moves and cutting parts in 4 hours and zero issues other than operator error since it hit the floor. Dust pickup (as with any non housed machine) isnt great, dust dock is an option but Ive never looked into it.

Dead nuts solid, accuracy blows me away continuously. Support has been fine though we havent needed a ton but what we have has been spot on.

Don't forget the cost of the software and computer system. Learning the software will take the most time. Don't skimp on bits.

I've had a Pro 408 for 3 years. It's a solid, well built machine, more than capable of any of the type of work I do. Tech support is very good, which was important to me since I had no cnc experience when I bought it. My issues involved operator (me) error and have always been quickly resolved.

To get the most out of any cnc, you need a good grasp of the software. Plan on spending time learning your software, like V Carve Pro which comes with Shop Sabre products, and probably another cabinet program like Mozaic since that is the focus of your shop.

I struggled at first with the software because I'm old and not particularly adept with computers. But I perserved, and I've made money and some amazing things as well. If you're feeling that conventional machinery is limiting your production, then it's time to step up.

Thanks, what software are you guys using? I currently use KCD for my designs and it has a Cnc add on apparently but if there's a better software for Cnc I'm open to learning it.

If you are working with asoftware and the curve investment is made i would keep working it if it works ! I use Moziak, yet I have used most all of the others since the 90s. Oh and a few Kitchens a year, With an ATC that will soon be a thing of the past !

Phil -- We're in our second year with a Pro 408, and our experience has been much the same as Mark B's and duster's. 2-1/2 to 3 yrs ago we were exactly where you are now, trying to figure out if the expense was worth it. Now I wish we'd pulled the trigger sooner. Once you get up to speed on the software (we also run Mozaik) and start cutting out that first job, you'll never look back.

A few things we learned: 1) Get the biggest ATC you can afford. We opted for the 5 tool, and often need more capacity; 2) If you have any plans at all to produce MDF doors, order the Dust Dock -- SS's standard dust collection can't keep up with hogging out all that material; 3) Yes, the 408 can handle 5 ft. wide sheets, but the vacuum force doesn't reach that area of the table, so it's problematic trying to cut small parts from, say, a 5x5 sheet. We got around this by switching to 4x8 prefinished Baltic Birch for our drawer boxes; 4) Odds are the machine will be shipped on the tail of an enclosed semi trailer, and you'll have to unload it LENGTHWISE. SS recommends a 5,000 lb. class warehouse forklift, but this isn't nearly enough muscle. In our case it took an 8,000 lb. telescoping lift, and even then we had to use 10 ft. fork extensions. It gets even more sporty if you have no loading dock!

We use a rollback tow truck to pull machine out or off of delivery vehicle then set it down on wheels to manuver them into position

We offloaded ours length wise from a straight truck that was loaded front to back with machines (ours on the tail). Rented a 6000lb lift for a day with long forks that we knew werent going to be long enough but a simple strap from the top of the backrest down to the bottom of the skid was fine to just back up and set it on the ground (no loading dock). They we just stabbed it from the side and drove it in the shop. Forklift probably ran for less than 30 minutes.