CNC Shark Routing System

Now includes 5.5 software, 1/2'' dia. V-groove router bit and two hold-down clamps!

Bring the speed and precision of computer-controlled machinery to your shop with this top value CNC system! With a table measuring 15-3/4" x 31-1/2" it’s ideally suited for carvings and machining operations on a large variety of signs, doors and other small projects. It boasts impressive power, speed, accuracy, and ease of use. With its robust steel and high-density poly-ethylene construction, it can take accidental impacts that would normally damage or destroy an aluminum or MDF machine.

The included Clamping Table features two hold-down slots for securing work anywhere along the length of the table. The unit comes with two hold-down clamps (additional hold-downs are available separately). It is fully compatible with the Bosch Colt Palm Router and includes a 1/2" diameter V-groove router bit. The CNC Shark also includes the new version 5.5 of the VCarve Pro software interface — a $500 value. You supply a PC computer with USB 2.0 port and a Bosch Colt router (router sold separately). Simply connect the USB cable to the controller box and the other end to your computer (not compatible with Mac computers).

Visit a store near you for a live Demo!

Now includes new 5.5 Software!

Introducing CNCSharkTalk.com, a new website presented by Rockler where CNC Shark and CNC Shark Pro users can chat together, watch how-to videos, ask questions, learn from each other and even show off their CNC Shark projects. Now online - visit today!

Features:

Travel: X: 13" Y: 24" Z: 4.5".
High Speed traverse rate 120+ ipm.
Bearings: 12 precision linear bearing guides (4 on each axis) for maximum rigidity.
Resolution: Full step of 0.0005 inch; at 1/8 step 0.0000625 inch.
269 oz/in 1.8-degree steppers.
USB interface with on controller memory storage.
5 turn ACME precision modified threaded with acetyl backlash reducing nuts on all axes.
24V Supply to provide full power to the steppers.
VCarve Pro 5.5 software program included ($500 value).
Includes 1/2'' Dia. V-Groove Router Bit
Includes two Hold-down Clamps
Mounts for a Bosch Router included (Router sold separately)
Free downloadable control program included

Click here for more detailed information on the CNC Shark Routing System.

Customer Reviews and Photos for:
CNC Shark Routing System

Average Rating:

(4.9)
(16 customer reviews)
Add your review...

1) Submitted by JD Jones, from Greencastle, PA on 1/22/2010

Customer Rating:

I've put @ 3,000 hours on my Shark and I'm very happy with it. There were 3 months were I ran it 60+ hours a week without any problems and have made my total investment back (including all the software and 3D models) the first year I owned it. And this is just working part time! I plan on buying additional machines in the future. An excellent product with great support from the manufacturer.

2) Submitted by Thomas Tramontana, from East Norriton, PA on 6/22/2010

Customer Rating:

I received my Shark CNC router about four weeks ago. After a lot of research, I bought the Shark largely on the strength of the reviews I read on here along with its affordability and size. I have not been disappointed. It is as advertised in every way. I bought the 1/4" and 1/8" precision collets for the Colt router although I'm not sure I had to. The 1/8" collet is good for those 1/16" end mills that are so good for details. The 5.5 VCarve program can get done almost anything I want to do. If something eventually breaks down, we'll see who will come to my rescue and how helpful they will be. But for now, everything is working perfectly and I am having a ball.

3) Submitted by Larry Stobbs Jr., from St. Joseph, MO on 10/25/2009

Customer Rating:

I bought my Shark earlier this year and it was money well spent. I did a lot of research before the purchase and for a homeowner or a small shop this is the ticket. I used the V-Carve program that came with it and it was easy to learn and a well thought out program. I have also bought the 3D program that is available called Aspire, which is expensive, but I am getting great results. The photo is an Army Seal I did for a veteran recently. I do have a few recommendations for anyone that purchases this. First, the MDF clamping table is ok for when you first start using it and if you make a rookie mistake and cut into it, you are not out much. I bought a laminated birch top that is 1 1/2 inches thick, installed T-tracks in it and took the time to level it to the cutter head. This is important if you are doing very precise work. Second, the collet on the Bosch Router is pretty good, but I bought a precision collet that keeps the bit perfectly centered. Third, get some type of dust collection for the system, an enclosure is easy to add but it needs to be on the machine. I orignally did not worry about anything but the computer and controller so I enclosed them to keep out dust. The problem I found out is that even though the Colt Router is excellent, the machine produces very fine dust when working with walnut and cherry and those fine particles were getting sucked into the router. I have had the bearing replaced on two routers so far due to dust getting in and am working on an enclosure now that I can hook up to my dust collection. Keep in mind, I run my Shark almost everyday, so this may not be an issue for most, but if the router acts like it is underpowered, this is probably the reason. One last point that several have addressed before, I bought the smaller version and now I which I had bought the larger one because you will end up wanting to make bigger projects. I plan on buying another one of these in the next year or two as an additional machine.

Army Seal

4) Submitted by Caleb Dawson, from Troy, AL on 9/22/2009

Customer Rating:

The car model in the picture below took several days to machine on the CNC Shark but I am happy with how it turned out. The learning curve on the CNC Shark is relatively steep but the results are worth it. I would like to add a physical E-stop switch on the machine itself and the control software could use a few usability tweaks.

I have been using the CNC Shark for about 18 months. It's a good value-especially compared to my experience with another, more complicated, less capable carving machine. The CNC Shark is well built and designed to withstand the rookie mistakes that users like me will inevitably make. I'm glad I bought it.

more pictures of the car model at:
flickr.com/photos/calebdawson/sets/72157621387534592/

(click to see full-size picture in new window)
Product Review for CNC Shark Routing System - Rated 4 Stars

5) Submitted by Bob Hartig, from Sheboygan, WI on 8/24/2009

Customer Rating:

I continue to have fun with this machine. Instead of writing a thousand word review, I'm sending this picture of my latest CNC project. All parts were cut on the Shark. The wood gear clock was intended to be made using a scroll saw. It was easy to use the Vectric software to adapt the plans for cnc cutting. All cuts and holes were made using a 1/8" up spiral bit.

Wooden gear clock

6) Submitted by Bob Hartig, from Sheboygan, WI on 4/13/2010

Customer Rating:

I'm still having fun with my Shark. Because of all the sawdust generated, I have been trying different methods of dust collection. This dust foot and vacuum hose suspension has been working out great. The 4" hose is from Rockler. I chose it because of its flexibility. There is no pressure or resistance to gantry movement. The dust foot is a shop build. I used bristle clumps removed from a bench brush. There is no problem with the brushes riding over clamps. About 90 percent of the dust is captured.

Editor's Note: Please be aware of two issues that may arise from this arrangement - first, we do know of at least one instance where a dust hose connected to a Shark was responsible for repeatedly damaging one of the stepper motors; static charge building up on the outside of the hose was discharging to the motor and/or motor cabling. Second, any additional weight added to the head may throw the bit axis off of vertical, affecting cut accuracy; and the additional torque from the weight may also cause undue wear on the Shark itself. The farther the weight is from the gantry guide rods, the more torque will be exerted, and the risk becomes greater.
(We have contacted Bob and alerted him to these possible risks).

Dust foot and vacuum hose

7) Submitted by Don Strenczewilk, from Rochester, NY on 6/27/2009

Customer Rating:

Got the machine a couple of weeks ago. It was simple to assemble. I was up and running my first piece in a couple of hours, including the time it took to download and install the software on my Vista laptop.

I cut some mdf and it worked wonderfully. But it made a dusty mess. So, it needs some sort of dust collection, especially with the computer nearby whose fans suck up the dust. I built an enclosure around it with mdf sides, a Plexiglas front and top, added a 4" port for the dust collector and made another 4" hole at the opposite end of the enclosure. Total cost of the enclosure and hardware was about $50. At the end of a job, I blow it out any remaining dust and shavings with the blower end of shop vac. Two unanticipated benefits of the enclosure are that (1) the servo's and router stay pretty cool since the air is constantly flowing around them which should make them last longer, and (2) it quiets it down enough that I can work on the next program without earplugs to muffle the whining router.

Being my first experience with a cnc machine, quite a bit of experimentation with bits, feed rate, and pass depth, was needed to get as clean cuts on hardwood that I get by hand with a router.

The Vcarve software is fantastic. It is very easy to use. I thought I'd need a CAD program for design but Vcarve is fine for my CAD needs, and it's much simpler to learn.

The controller software works but there a couple of minor annoyances. It has button controls that let you manually move the router along the axes at any of three speeds to move the router to its start point. Problem is that after you run a program, it moves very very slowly and the speed buttons don't work. The only way I've found to get it to function properly after running a program is to shut it down and restart it. I emailed New Wave Automations about it and got no reply. The other annoyances probably aren't worth mentioning.

This review is getting toolong so to summarize, the machine and software perform very nicely and I am very happy with them, especially when comparing the price of other CNC routers. Sorry I didn't get one sooner!

See all 16 reviews...

Customer Reviews and Photos for: CNC Shark Routing System

Customer Reviews and Photos for:
CNC Shark Routing System