With the introduction of the new PRS Shopbot we are hoping to find some new hosts, and locations that will allow other Shopbotters to see this new machine. If you look at our previous posts, (both here, and on the Shopbot Forum under the Camp page) you’ll see some of the previous places we have held Camps. Each year the locations may change as some hosts move their businesses, or they can’t co-ordinate our schedules with theirs, but most of our hosts have now held a Camp for 2-5 years running.
What we look for is preferably a “commercial”location/shop with a later model machine, which has enough room to accommodate at least 25-35 people when seated. The reason for the commercial location is that with 25+ people attending it would usually tax the plumbing facilities in most garage shops…And then there’s always parking as well…
Shopbot will provide full support for any prospective host, in terms of supplies, materials, computer projector, and a “Camp counselor”to run things. They will also reimburse a host for any incurred expenses which are usually ; chair rentals, coffee/donut “breakfast”, and a pizza type lunch. We’ll handle all of the pre-Camp announcements,publicity, and e-mailing. You will provide the location and a working Shopbot.
In general we don’t do much actual cutting at a Camp. This is because it’s pretty tough to fit in all of the different types of cutting that people are interested in, and also because with new people in a shop, there’s always the issue of safety. We DO like to run the machine a bit for those people who may never have seen one operate however, so we usually suggest that you either “air cut”a few files, OR cut a file which you have previously done so you’re not doing any last minute “editing” with 35 people looking over your shoulder. Another thing we ask of you is to spend just a few minutes explaining to the group HOW you use the Shopbot in your shop/business. You don’t have to give away any trade secrets here, just a general idea of how the CNC process fits into your work environment.
Scheduling the Camps is usually based on each shop owners schedule, as well as the weather. Obviously everyone would like to have their Camp in either the Spring or Fall, so we try to work with the calendar (as well as the thermometer) when we set things up. This year we’re holding our Shopbot Jamboree in California in May, so a number of last year’s May Camps have had to re-schedule their dates. And it looks as though we are going to have a pretty heavy Fall calendar with a few new Camps coming on line.
SO, if you live someplace that might be too far for you to travel to one of our existing Camps, and you have a facility that fits the general description listed above, contact me at – campshopbot@shopbottools.com and we’ll see if we can make something work!
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