Safety Speed Cut Thermwood Corporation ECabinet Systems

Cabinetmaking

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Shop Sabre Pro 408

6/23/21       
Phil

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.

6/23/21       #2: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
Mark B

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.

6/23/21       #3: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
rich c.

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

6/23/21       #4: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
duster

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.

6/24/21       #5: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
Phil Member

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.

6/24/21       #6: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
james e mcgrew  Member

Website: mcgrewwoodwork.com

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 !

6/30/21       #7: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
Guinea Member

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!

7/1/21       #8: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
james e mcgrew  Member

Website: mcgrewwoodwork.com

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

7/5/21       #9: Shop Sabre Pro 408 ...
Mark B

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.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Limtech Industries, Inc. Lamello
    Today's Sponsors
    • TradeJobPlacement.com
      Individualized Placement Services, Specializing in Millwork Design Engineers
    • Country Saw & Knife
      Complete Sharpening Services for Wood and Metal Saw Blades, Jointer Knives, and Bandsaw Blades
    • WalzCraft
      Custom Doors and Wood Products
    • TradeSoft
      Seamless Management Software to Improve Estimating, Job Costing, Scheduling, Purchasing, Shipping, and Shop Floor Data Collection
    • Weinig Group-USA
      Wood Moulders and Knife Grinding Equipment
    • GreCon
      Spark Detection and Extinguishment Systems and Quality Assurance Measuring Equipment
    • Vexor Custom Woodworking Tools, Inc.
      Custom and Standard Router Bits, Shaper Cutters, Profile Knives, Multi Profile Insert Tooling and More
    • Shop Gear Inc.
      Distributor of Co-matic Power Feeders, Le-matic Portable Edgebanders, and Supplier of Woodworking Machinery, Tooling and Accessories in North America
    • Cabinetshop Maestro
      Web-Based Project Management Software for Custom Cabinet Shops - Manage Jobs from Prospect to Punchlist Through Scheduling, Task Management, Time Tracking and Communication
    • Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.
      Vacuum Pressing Equipment - Including Bag and Frame Systems
    • American National Knife
      Manufacturer of HSS and Carbide Tipped Woodworking Knife Sets for Planers, Jointers, Molders, Shapers
    • Safety Speed Manufacturing
      Economical Vertical Panel Saws, Panel Routers, Edgebanders and Widebelt Sanders
    • OMEC/Macoser Inc
      Exclusive Importer of European Woodworking Machinery Since 1988

    Become a Sponsor today!