I am excited to offer hands-on, in-depth training on programming and using the ShopBot CNC router. What better way to get up to speed quickly than by participating in a small group environment in a real, working shop? There is no substitute for watching someone firsthand, then trying it yourself, and getting feedback from an expert, experienced teacher.

If you are new to ShopBot and/or CNC routing, or are wondering if this is the machine for you, my “Getting Started” class will have you creating Part Files and cutting projects the first day. This two-day class is designed to give you the information you need to set up and configure your machine and its control computer, show you how to use PartWorks* to create and toolpath projects, and give you hands-on experience setting up workpieces and machining them with the ShopBot. Learn the tips and techniques you won’t get from the Help files, while getting practical advice from someone who uses the ShopBot every day. This class will save you valuable time and money by shortening your learning curve so you can concentrate on designing and machining your projects, instead of trying to figure out the machine and software. Each student will create toolpaths and machine parts for a project that they can take home for assembly and finishing.

Prerequisites: Basic computing skills and familiarity with the Windows operating system. I recommend that each student bring a laptop with the ShopBot Control software and PartWorks (or VCarve Pro or Aspire)*. A limited number of computers are available for use by students who cannot bring a laptop.

Number of Students Limited to 6
Cost: $400 per person (two days, includes materials)

2012 Dates:
Friday/Saturday February 24 - 25
Friday/Saturday April 27 - 28
Group Dates and Rates available – please inquire

Already familiar with PartWorks and the ShopBot? Want to take your work to the next level? In this two-day class I’ll cover more advanced toolpathing techniques, demonstrate how to customize PartWorks* to get the exact output code you need, and show you how to add programming statements to your ShopBot Part Files to automate your operations and allow user input during the running of a file. You’ll come away with a much better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes when you run that Part File, and a new bag of tricks to help you get more work done with less effort and frustration.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with PartWorks*, ShopBot Control software, and the basic operation of the ShopBot. I recommend that each student bring a laptop with the ShopBot Control software and PartWorks (or VCarve Pro or Aspire)*. A limited number of computers are available for use by students who cannot bring a laptop.

Number of Students Limited to 6
Cost: $450 per person (two days, includes materials)

2012 Dates:
Friday/Saturday January 20 - 21
Friday/Saturday March 30 - 31
Group Dates and Rates available – please inquire

*We will be using PartWorks software by Vectric to create designs and toolpath those designs for machining on the ShopBot. PartWorks software is included with the purchase of a new ShopBot or can be purchased from ShopBot or Vectric. VCarve Pro and Aspire both have all the features included in PartWorks and can be used instead of PartWorks. Call or e-mail me for options if you would like to take one of the classes but do not have access to the PartWorks software.

David Buchsbaum, owner of Beacon Custom Woodwork, Inc. and Atlanta Closet & Storage Solutions, started using CAD (Computer Aided Design) in the early 1990s and bought his first ShopBot in 1999. He has been programming and creating designs with the ShopBot for well over 10 years, making custom furniture, cabinetry, closet systems, wood components, jigs and fixtures, and more. A regular contributor to the shopbotblog.com web columns and longtime mainstay of the talkshopbot.com forum, he enjoys sharing ideas and knowhow with other like-minded craftspeople, artisans, and business owners. David has presented well-received slide shows at various ShopBot Camps and Jamborees, and has been teaching classes and training other ShopBot owners for several years. You can see his online portfolio at beaconcustomwoodwork.com.

Classes are held in the Beacon Custom Woodwork shop in Atlanta, Georgia, where you’ll see dozens of samples and examples of projects of all types that have been machined with the ShopBot over the years.

Motel accommodations are available nearby, and public transportation is available from the Atlanta airport.

Email: david@beaconcustomwoodwork.com

Phone: 404-292-1550

Here’s what students from previous classes have to say:

Now that the training class is over, I would like to thank David very much for his hard work in preparing for this class. I got so much information about using and programming my machine. What I learned has a practical application, not textbook. I prefer to learn by doing and that is how the class went. If David does this training again I would recommend it to everyone. He really knows Shopbot. Thanks again, David. Gary G.

My Buddy rolled into the shop just three days before this class, so the timing couldn't have been better. If you're new or just getting started, this class is the bee’s knees. David is nothing less than a Shopbot maestro! He has a wealth of experience and expertise. This class must have saved me weeks of messing around on my own. Thanks, David. Hastings R.

David's class was great amount of very practical information in a wonderful 2 day presentation. As a new owner of a Shopbot, there is an awful lot that just doesn't gel until you see it in a working shop. I am very glad I took this class. What I learned will save me a lot of time and frustration over the next several months. Thanks, David for a great presentation. Bob S.

David's class was really nice and instructional. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to cap off their training so far. Also, being with other like-minded folks with experiences of their own to share is a real plus. All of this is in a small group with instant feedback to your questions. Thanks again for a great class. Joe P.

Being able to spend a couple of days with a small class in David's shop creating work files from scratch from beginning to final cuts on the Bot probably knocked 6 months off of my learning curve. This is in addition to picking up the real-world tips and techniques from someone that does the quality of work that David does (just incredible). I would recommend this class to anyone that wants to take their work to the next level. Earl D.