what is a good fabcenter to buy

[Dave.Scott]

All I know is that I would not hesitate going digital as soon as I could but from the back forward.

Start wit the CNC router, then go sawjet-- sorry you guys that think a small shop should be CNC Saw 1st--I believe you are wrong.

On the labor side and the CAPACITY end ( thanks Miles) a CNC Saw by itself cannot help a shop that is going digital, we are digital but 45% of our business is hand fab. I could not do that without the sawjet and CNC routers.

Sorry! CNC Saws limit your growth. I've seen it and I've sold my CNC saw, and have proved it.

Until you get to David L's size you will not be able to delegate jobs to the SawJet or the CNC saw. You will not ever be better off than going CNC router first then sawjet 2nd.

I know that I am about to be destroyed by the CNC saw operators out there but, I can show you the profits, not the savings, that are due to the sawjet.

I an in business to MAKE a dollar, NOT to SAVE a dollar.
Most CNC saw operators will talk about their SAVINGS over a Sawjet NOT their PROFITS over a Sawjet.

Think about it, PM me

[scott m]

No machine is gonna solve all your problems. What I mean by that is, if you buy this machine or that, a saw, FC, sawjet line machine or whatever, it is not gonna solve all your problems. It is just a different path to the same end. It will be easier in some ways, and worse in others....IE jobs get done quick and with better quality, but now you need a smart programmer that you didn't need prior. Now, I am not saying don't automate. If you are in the biz for the long run to me it is an absolute.

There are a lot of ways to do it and there is no correct answer. Only what works for you.

[GlobalEquipment]

Lots of good points and opinions on this topic. I couldn't agree more though with the point of measuring your needs accurately and carefully. A good analysis of your revenue, labor, material handling and other costs will definitely help in pointing you in the right direction. Good luck with your purchase and ask plenty of questions...the more knowledge you can gain from everyone here will definitely help you with your decision!

[Burkie]

5 years on and still Fabcenter Pros and Cons take up 3 pages of replies. Times do change though; not one mention of Pumpkins in the 3 pages.

For me it was like Todd Luster said. It was about the intrinsics not necessarily the financials as the primary factor. Going digital with CNC and CNC saw brought the power back to me from the guys in the workshop. The bottleneck shifted from the workshop to installation which is more manageable and less stressful.

Betsy was always happy to see me. When I pushed her red buttons on a morning she purred nicely for about 5 minutes while going through her morning stretch routine before embarking on a solid days work performance. Never was tired and consistent production to our standard. These intrinsics were what we were looking for.

And the Pumpkins fell in line as well, as a bonus.

[Miles]

Well now... did someone say pumpkins?

[Todd Luster]

Guess who has 2 FabCenter payments left???
This guy!!
Still making money and would not hesitate buying another.