This may be a dumb question but...

General CNC CNC Routers
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1

This may be a dumb question but… what is the difference between the shapeoko 3 and the X-carve?

2

The X-carve is more like a shapeoko v2.5. Uses the same maker slide as the v2. It has better x gantry then the v2 and everything on the x-carve is backwards compatible with the v2

The v3 uses and completely different rails. They are beefer/stiffer/larger then the v2 and the x-carve. Z is now belt driven. The plates and much thicker then the v2 and the x-carve.

3

I’d say the source is the main difference. While X-carve (Inventables) uses makerslide the new ShapeOko 3 (Edward Ford) seems to use a new (larger and possibly stiffer) extrusion that doubles as linear rail too. Some Q&A about SO3: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4788#p35422

4

Ah, thank you…

5

@Colleen_McGuire Did you get the answers you were looking for on this?

6

I also would like to know the better choice. I have currently made the deposit on the shapeoko 3 but not sure if that was the better decision. I want to do aluminum as well which seems like would be better on shapeoko?