[USMCCNC]

Looking to purchase an EZ Router 5 X 5 soon. Looked at Shopbot. Like Shopbot but their prices are flying higher daily. Out of my price range now. I see EZ uses belt driven drive motors. Their control board is a little dated too needing a parallel port interface compared to Shopbot's USB. Any thoughts on the comparisons ?? Thanks...W.

[ger21]

Their control board is a little dated too needing a parallel port interface compared to Shopbot's USB.

Dated is not really correct. EZ CNC uses Mach3 as it's control, which sends signals directly from the PC through the parallel port. Shopbot uses proprietary hardware to send it's signals.

Mach3 supports several external hardware devices, some are USB, but they don't necessarily give better performance.

[USMCCNC]

Thank you. Looking for input before I make the purchase. Anyone else out there with information, especially an EZ router owner would be helpful.

[Switcher]

I don't like anything proprietary! The reason business do that is to keep you buying from them in the future.

I'm not knocking Shopbot, but I couldn't believe how much they are asking for a 4x4 machine ($15,195)

How much is the Ez-Router?

Again I would bail at the first mention of anything proprietary, but that's just me.

[Switcher]

Also no matter what machine you buy, & If they bundle any software with the machine.

You might want to find out the exact cad/cam, etc... software, & download the free trials (before you buy anything), that might help you decide.

Not all cad/cam is equal. You need to try out the trial software & see If it will do what you need it to do, & how easy/fast can it export finished g-code, for the real projects you will run on your cnc machine.

[USMCCNC]

I don't like anything proprietary! The reason business do that is to keep you buying from them in the future.

I'm knocking Shopbot, but I couldn't believe how much they are asking for a 4x4 machine ($15,195)

How much is the Ez-Router?

Again I would bail at the first mention of anything proprietary, but that's just me.

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you on proprietary. That's BS and no reason for that other then being greedy. As far as the EZ Router goes I have a quote shipped from Texas to FL for 9,000.00 even. That's for the 5' X 5' machine using my PC and Mach 3 software. No extras included. I've been searching all over the internet for any bad reports on EZ and can't find any other than Shopbot owners ststing theirs are better. Still searching tonight on forums too.

[ger21]

and can't find any other than Shopbot owners ststing theirs are better.

Shopbot owners are kinda like Mac owners.

[USMCCNC]

Shopbot owners are kinda like Mac owners.

Yes, a friend of mine has a shopbot. He loves it. His was only 8,000 for a PRS Standard (4X8) delivered in 2007. That same macnine is 14,000 now shipped. I have used Mach 2 and Artcam Pro in my past so I don't have issues with software. Just want my monies worth.

[Switcher]

The way I look at cnc machines as far as price goes, you can pretty much do a rough estimate of how much a machine cost to build on your own.

I've seen plenty of machine builds here on cnczone, & have seen a few that would put most dealers to shame (no joke). My point is, I know one damn nice 4'x8' cnc router that the builder had right at $6k in materials only, so the Ez-Router looks like it is right on target as far as price $9k.

The builder has no need to charge more than double the cost of materials.

Example:

1) Materials cost $4.5k
2) Labor to build machine $4.5k
___________________________
Total = $9k

The PC most times a guy can get free, heck I have 3 sitting here doing nothing (Win-XP) & another on the way. Mach3 is less than $200, so that's no big deal, & can be customized to fit anyones needs.

My 2 cents...

[ger21]

Yes, a friend of mine has a shopbot. He loves it. His was only 8,000 for a PRS Standard (4X8) delivered in 2007. That same macnine is 14,000 now shipped.

Are you sure it's the same machine? The current Shopbots are a lot different than the older ones.

[USMCCNC]

Thanks...After reading and searching I'm thinking that 9 G's is pretty good. I think I'm going for it. One question though...what's your feeling on cog belt driven X,Y and Z motors compared to gear driven as in Shopbot? Thanks.

The way I look at cnc machines as far as price goes, you can pretty much do a rough estimate of how much a machine cost to build on your own.

I've seen plenty of machine builds here on cnczone, & have seen a few that would put most dealers to shame (no joke). My point is, I know one damn nice 4'x8' cnc router that the builder had right at $6k in materials only, so the Ez-Router looks like it is right on target as far as price $9k.

The builder has no need to charge more than double the cost of materials.

Example:

1) Materials cost $4.5k
2) Labor to build machine $4.5k
___________________________
Total = $9k

The PC most times a guy can get free, heck I have 3 sitting here doing nothing (Win-XP) & another on the way. Mach3 is less than $200, so that's no big deal, & can be customized to fit anyones needs.

My 2 cents...

[ger21]

Are you talking about the reduction? They both are rack and pinion. Looks like the EZ uses a belt reduction, where the Shopbot uses an expensive geared stepper. Imo, the belts are probably better, as the geared motors can have a small amount of backlash.

[USMCCNC]

Yes, the motor reduction drives. Thank you Gerry. I was thinking that back lash could be an issue in time with gear reduction and yes more expensive...Will.

Are you talking about the reduction? They both are rack and pinion. Looks like the EZ uses a belt reduction, where the Shopbot uses an expensive geared stepper. Imo, the belts are probably better, as the geared motors can have a small amount of backlash.

[Switcher]

Have you talked with EZrouter?

If I was spending $9k I would have to see the machine running first.

A cheap plane ticket is easier to forgive & forget compared to $9k.

[USMCCNC]

Yes, I talked to the tech support there and Brandon Roberts the sales rep. I have only seen them run on Youtube. I know, not a good place for reassurance but they've been around for quite sometime and again, no real negative feedback coming out of forums or Google searches. Thanks, Will.

Have you talked with EZrouter?

If I was spending $9k I would have to see the machine running first.

A cheap plane ticket is easier to forgive & forget compared to $9k.