SETUP & PROBLEMS. My Shark Pro was delivered on-time in 2 heavy boxes via UPS. Non-dedicated packaging was used, but the machine was well protected with styrofoam sheets and peanuts. No components were missing. The bottom plate on the base was bowed 5/16" high in the middle. While that looks bad it doesn't affect the table flatness. The single-sheet assembly instruction was text-only but kept referencing a photo of how to attach the gantry to the base so the XY-axis orientations were correct. I ended up referencing at the Shark Pro photo on Rockler's website. The gantry attaches to the base with 12 torx bolts; plan on having a friend to help. The bolt fit is snug which made vertical alignment fairly straightforward. With the base removed, the Bosch Colt Trim Router (purchased separately) slid snuggly into the Z-axis clamp. The Controler & Power Supply were prewired and the XYZ-axis connectors were labeled. No schematic was included, so I photoed all the connections for future reference and noticed the Line & Neutral connections were reversed on the Power Supply. I contacted Rockler who quickly responded that this Power Supply is insensitive to polarity and would not damage anything once energized. On the Controller enclosure, the hole for the USB connector was misaligned 1/16" so I had to fiddle somewhat to get the USB cable to mate. My new laptop runs Windows Vista, so from Next Wave Automation I downloaded the Windows Vista drivers, Control Program, and NET Framework patch. After 20 minutes of fiddling the Shark still wouldn't communicate with my laptop. With nothing to lose, I downloaded the Control Program for Windows XP instead and the Shark Controller immediately responded. Using the Jog command, I moved the router around the table to check for flatness with a feeler gauge. I noted one corner of the table was 3/32" high and the opposite corner was 1/32" low. VCarve Pro 4.6 loaded uneventfully and gives you the option of license transfer from Next Wave Automation to yourself. Download the Shark G-code post-processor from Next Wave Automation into the appropriate VCarve program directory. Slowly I stepped through VCarve's "Bullshead" demo instructions and created my first G-code file. I clamped a some scrap wood to the table, installed a V-bit in the router, and was CNC'ing sawdust within 3 hours of opening the shipping boxes.
my full 2-page product review is located at:
http://www.original-approach.com/html/reviews.html