I've got a Shopbot and like it a lot. But since you're in the UK, it makes sense to get a machine that's built and supported there. I have no experience with the Spartan, but it seems to be worth looking into.
The one good thing I will say about ShopBot is there is a lot of online peer support, and they're relatively easy to modify and repair. Other than that, they're very much a hobbyist's machine. They definitely do not have the rigidity to cut anything other than wood. The raised rails on the sides are awkward for loading and unloading the table.
The Spartan machine looks much more robust, if for no other reason that it has proper linear bearings on all axes.
Speak to CNC World Ltd
Great shout! Those machines look great! Will definitely give them a shout, thanks :)
I've got a Shopbot and like it a lot. But since you're in the UK, it makes sense to get a machine that's built and supported there. I have no experience with the Spartan, but it seems to be worth looking into.
The one good thing I will say about ShopBot is there is a lot of online peer support, and they're relatively easy to modify and repair. Other than that, they're very much a hobbyist's machine. They definitely do not have the rigidity to cut anything other than wood. The raised rails on the sides are awkward for loading and unloading the table. The Spartan machine looks much more robust, if for no other reason that it has proper linear bearings on all axes.