As the bigger brother to the original CNC Shark™, the diversely capable CNC Shark Pro™ offers twice the workable area and increased strength, making it perfect for a wide variety of larger machining, routing, and engraving projects in wood, metal, or plastic. Overall travel: X: 24" Y: 24" Z: 4.25".
Along with impressive power, speed, accuracy, and ease of use, it features a 1" thick removable laminated particleboard removable work surface, plus 12 precision
linear bearing guides (4 on each side) for maximum rigidity. A 24V supply provides full power to the powerful 1.8 degree steppers.
Plus, the package includes a free download USB control software. For those who own different CNC programs, the Shark Pro™ can also interface with a number of programs in the industry (click More Info to see a list). For a complete CNC system, you simply won’t find a better value than the CNC Shark Pro™. (Requires a computer with a USB port).
This unit requires a Bosch Colt Palm Router for operation.
Now includes new 5.5 Software!
Improvements over the original CNC Shark:
Twice the workable area
Increased strength
Includes updated version of VCarve software (5.5)
Includes 1/2'' Dia. V-Groove Router Bit
Includes two Hold-down Clamps
Additional features:
High speed traverse
Less than .001" resolution
USB interface with removable memory card interfacee
Includes mounts for a Bosch router (router sold separately)
Capable of interfacing with the following CNC programs:
1) Submitted by
Michael R. Olson, from Frostburg, MD
on 6/6/2010
Customer Rating:
I received my Shark Pro about 3 weeks ago via UPS in 3 boxes (1 large, 2 small). It arrived in about 5 days. Everything was well padded in the boxes so there was no damage. Assembled everything in a couple of hours (it really helps to read the online instructions before it arrives so you have an idea of what you're going to have to do). It's helpful to have another person to help you move everything to your assembly area and to attach the gantry to the cutting table. The V-Carve software installed fine (if you're new to CNC, download the demo software and learn how to use it before you get your Shark--the learning curve is kind of steep but not impossible). The V-Carve software really has nothing to do directly with the operation of the Shark. You design your projects in V-Carve so you can install it on a desktop machine if you like. You then have to download the Shark software from their website and install it on a laptop that will be used to actually run the Shark while it's carving. The laptop is attached to two controllers and they are, in turn, plugged into the Shark. When you design your project in V-Carve, you save it as a .tap file on your laptop (if that's where V-Carve is installed). In my case, V-Carve is on my desktop computer, so I save the files to a flash drive and move that to the laptop. The Shark's controller software reads the .tap file and translates it into G-code (the set of instructions that tells the Shark how to drive the router) fairly rapidly--actually, it's pretty amazing. Even a a relatively small carving may need 20,000+ lines of code to do all the carving and all of that is generated in just a few seconds on a newer computer. You "jog" the router to your starting point (a corner of your carving or its center point) and set the X,Y, and Z axes to 0 with a mouse click, start the G-code running, start the router and watch it all work. I haven't figured out the logic of the G-code as it moves the router--it will carve an area, then move to another area, do more carving, then move back to the first area to carve some more there. It's not a straight line process from beginning to the end like you find, for example, in the Carvewright machines. But it will all come together in the end.
The Shark comes with a 90 degree,.5" V-bit but you can use other larger and smaller sizes. It seems to be a good middle-of-the-road workhorse. I haven't tried anything else yet but generally, the smaller the size of the bit, the longer the carving time because less material is removed with each cut.
You will probably spend most of your project time in the V-Carve program, which is very good at helping you design your projects. Essentially, it allows you to take raster images (like .jpeg) and translate them into vector images which is what the Shark needs to do its work. Most of what it does, it does very well but there are some tweaks that would make it more user friendly.
Overall, I am more than satisfied with the Shark Pro so far but I need more experience as well. Despite the higher price for the Shark compared to the Carvewright, I think it is probably worth the cost in the long run particularly with respect to maintenance and potential repair.
To finish, I have nothing but good things to say about the Shark Pro so far. Just be aware that that if you are new to CNC routing/carving, it will take a while to get comfortable with the whole process. Plan on a lot of mistakes (yours, not the Shark's). Keep your carvings simple at first; the fancy stuff can come later.
2) Submitted by
Gary Roberts, from Sun City West, AZ
on 4/17/2010
Customer Rating:
I have had my Shark Pro for almost a year, so no new toy blush here. I went with the Shark because I wanted support after I got the thing. Was the unit perfect, well, there were a few things. But it has done everything I asked of it and then some. The Tec of a CNC is amazing but can be a bugger if it does not work. Next Wave fixed anything that was broke, no if, ands or butts and Vectric software is nothing short of wonderful. This team is first class and made something that is complex, workable, which is why I went with Rockler and company as opposed to taking my chances with unknowns from the web. So a year later, it is hard at work as I write this, and yes I would buy it again.
3) Submitted by
John Lyons, from Kettering, OH
on 4/16/2010
Customer Rating:
Bought a Shark Pro in January. Been working my way through the learning curve. Originally bought to do lettering for signs and 2-d cutting of lexan. But as you can see with some practice from the photo you can do some very intricate carving! A very nice bonus since I did not justify this purchase on its carving capabilities.
The folks at Rockler, Next Wave and Vectric have been very supportive helping me through the process. I did not have any CNC experience prior to buying this machine so don't let that stop you.
The photo is a file from Vector 3D Art collection brought into VCarvePro 5.5 and cut on a Shark Pro in walnut.
4) Submitted by
Tom Barton, from Arlington, TX
on 2/18/2010
Customer Rating:
I have been looking at CNC routers for a long while and licking my lips.
After researching various options and machines, I settled on the Shark Pro as the best all-around value -- and I have to say that nothing has disappointed me so far! In fact, I am elated with it! The possibilities are endless!
My local Rockler people were great about telling me what and when to expect it when I ordered it. When I got it home, I set about performing the required assembly with no problems. Everything checked out, and I proceeded to try to run one of the example projects (included with VCarve). I ran into one little snag and called Tim at Next Wave Automation. Well...the snag was mine (duh!). Regardless, I had the information I needed in about two minutes.
I had a LOT of fun last night running some tests and trying out different things. The machine is very well built, and I am impressed with what I can do just with the 90 degree V-bit that is included in the package.
If you are looking to get into CNC, you need to look hard at Shark Pro!
5) Submitted by
Chris & Jane Steffens, from Fenton, MO
on 3/29/2010
Customer Rating:
The My husband and I do many things together. The purchase of the Shark Pro is no exception. We were VERY nervous about spending the money to acquire this machine but are more than happy we did! We looked at the competition and decided the Shark Pro was the best bang for our buck. The machine arrived within 2 weeks of ordering and assembly was a breeze. Neither of us have experience using a CNC machine but by using the manual in the CD case to get started, we were carving within 30 minutes! Success builds confidence. Within a few days, we were importing images and carving them as well. If you have no experience with CNC, it does take some trial and error but the learning curve is not so steep that it is too hard to do.
As a side note, my husband Chris is an experienced carpenter and did woodcarving as a hobby. Approximately 4 years ago, he was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was no longer able to work as a carpenter or carve by hand. This system has brought the sparkle back in his creative eye and for that, I am forever grateful!
THANKS Rockler for retailing this FABULOUS addition to our woodshop collection!
6) Submitted by
Tom Barton, from Arlington, TX
on 3/24/2010
Customer Rating:
I got my Shark Pro in early February and have had a great deal of fun learning to use it! It is an excellent unit that is very well put together, and the support is fantastic!
My original plans were to use it for the carving features, but I keep coming up with more ideas. For the present, let me just say that the future is very wide!
It comes in two boxes, and goes together very easily. Some of the documentation is scanty, but much of it is intuitive. You should be familiar with using computers, though. If you have issues, support is fast and convenient. (I had one minor issue that turned out to be "operator error." It was resolved in about 3 minutes!)
All in all, I have been totally pleased with my unit -- and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking at CNC!
Tom Barton
7) Submitted by
Dale Z from CANADA
on 2/16/2010
Customer Rating:
This machine is fabulous. Very well built and easy to assemble.
It took a bit of practice with the software, I have never used a cnc before. But I have it doing exactly what I want now. I have made a video on you tube.
"ROCKLER RULES!!!!!
This is the only place that had what I was looking for.
They replied to my questions quickly, processed and delivered my order to Canada in record time.
I highly recommend this place." -
Joseph B.
- 03/18/2010 See more...
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