What to Look for When Buying a Used ShopSabre
ShopSabre CNC routers and plasma tables are built in Lakeville, Minnesota with welded structural steel frames designed for long service life in production cabinetry, signmaking, and metal fabrication shops. Most used ShopSabres come from one-owner shops with original control interface and HiFlow vacuum hold-down intact. Here is what to inspect on used units.
Inspect the spindle or router motor. On PRO, IS, and IS-M Series, verify the HSD electric fan-cooled spindle (typical 4 HP through 10 HP, single-phase or three-phase) for runout, bearing noise, and collet wear. On ATC machines, cycle the 6 or 12-position tool changer through every pocket and confirm ISO 30 tool clamp at rated pressure. On RC and ShopSabre 23 using Porter Cable 3.25 HP variable-speed router, inspect motor brush condition and bearing health. Confirm spindle warranty status and any HSD service history.
Verify the drive system and gantry. On RC machines, check rack-and-pinion gear engagement and verify ShopSabre Floating Drive Technology gears self-align cleanly. On PRO, IS, and IS-M, inspect ball-screw preload and verify Twin Screw Anti-Whip Technology on the dual-driven Y-axis. Run the gantry through full travel at rapid (PRO 1,200 IPM, IS 2,100 IPM) and listen for missed steps, backlash, or vibration. Inspect 25mm linear guide rails and bearings for chip and dust packing.
Check the vacuum table, deck, and HiFlow system. ShopSabre HiFlow vacuum technology is a defining feature; verify the vacuum pump delivers rated CFM and that the HiFlow grid in the spoil board is intact. Each vacuum table is milled at the factory by the machine's cutting head, so check spoil board flatness and replace if heavily worn. On phenolic or hybrid T-slot/MDF tabletops, verify the surface and any clamp hardware. Confirm dust collection ductwork and dust shoe condition.
Identify the controller, software, and SabreNation status. Most ShopSabre machines use the ShopSabre control interface; IS-M Series uses the Mitsubishi M8 Controller. Confirm the control boots, communicates with drives and amplifiers, and that any installed Vectric VCarve PRO CAD/CAM software is licensed. ShopSabre's SabreNation support (phone, email, remote, training, university access) is granted for the life of the original owner; verify whether SabreNation transfers with the sale.
ShopSabre Machine Series
ShopSabre 23 (Small Industrial CNC)
The ShopSabre 23 is a small CNC router for shops needing industrial precision in a compact footprint. Features include high-torque industrial motors, 25mm linear guide rails, HiFlow vacuum technology, FEA-engineered welded steel frame, and Super Z technology for Z-axis rigidity.
RC Series (Entry-Level Full-Size)
The RC Series is the entry-level full-size ShopSabre router. RC machines feature 4x4 structural steel tubes with six-leg frame design, rack-and-pinion XY drives with ShopSabre's exclusive Floating Drive Technology, ball-screw Z-axis with planetary drives, closed-loop hybrid digital motors, and 4-5 HP manual change spindles. RC suits hobbyists, low-accuracy applications, and low-production shops needing American manufacturing at entry-level pricing.
PRO Series (Professional Ball-Screw)
The PRO Series (PRO 404, PRO 408, PRO 510) is ShopSabre's professional production router with 3-axis ball-screw drive, Twin Screw Anti-Whip Technology on the Y-axis, industrial AC closed-loop servos with absolute encoders, 1,200 IPM rapids, +/- 0.001" repeatability, Super Z technology with 16" Z-travel, HSD spindles up to 9.3 HP, and 6-position ISO 30 ATC option. The PRO 510 has 72" x 125" x 12" cut area.
IS Series (Industrial Production)
The IS Series (IS 408, IS 510, IS 612) is ShopSabre's industrial CNC router with AC servo motors and glass encoders, ball-screw drive on X, dual Y, and Z, rapid speeds up to 2,100 IPM, +/- 0.001" repeatability, and HSD spindles with 6 or 12-position ATC. The IS 612 has 85" x 145" x 12" cut area for maximum capacity production work.
IS-M Series (Flagship with Mitsubishi M8)
The IS-M Series is the flagship ShopSabre paired with the Mitsubishi M8 Series Controller. ShopSabre is the first CNC router manufacturer to pair routing technology with the M8. The IS-M delivers maximum precision and suits high-end industrial production where tightest accuracy matters.
How to Sell Your Used ShopSabre
ShopSabre routers and plasma tables hold strong resale value thanks to American manufacturing, the SabreNation support legacy, and active demand from cabinet shops, sign makers, and fabrication shops. PRO Series, IS Series, and RC Series machines are in steady demand.
Resell CNC buys used ShopSabre CNC routers and plasma machines, every model and every generation, nationwide.
- Contact us at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Used ShopSabre Machines
Is ShopSabre still in business?
Yes. ShopSabre CNC continues to manufacture CNC routers and plasma cutters in Lakeville, Minnesota. The company is privately held and led by founder Jim Bombardo. Routers and plasma tables are engineered, manufactured, assembled, and supported entirely in the USA.
Are used ShopSabre routers reliable?
Yes. ShopSabre is designed with FEA-engineered welded steel frames, closed-loop servo motor systems, and industrial-grade components. Many used ShopSabre machines from one-owner shops run reliably for many years with proper bearing service and dust management.
What is the difference between RC, PRO, and IS Series?
RC is entry-level with rack-and-pinion XY drives, suited to hobbyists and low-production shops. PRO is professional with all ball-screw drives, AC servos, 1,200 IPM rapids, +/- 0.001" repeatability. IS is industrial with 2,100 IPM rapids and dual-driven Y axes. IS-M is the flagship with the Mitsubishi M8 Controller.
What is SabreNation?
SabreNation is ShopSabre's lifetime training and technical support program for original ShopSabre owners. It includes phone, email, and remote connectivity support, SabreNation University access, and ongoing training. Verify SabreNation transfer terms with ShopSabre.
What should I inspect on a used ShopSabre?
Spindle or router motor bearing health, drive system (rack-and-pinion engagement on RC; ball-screw preload on PRO/IS/IS-M), linear guide rail condition, vacuum pump and HiFlow grid, spoil board flatness, controller boot and parameter backup, and any documented service history.
How do I sell my used ShopSabre?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every ShopSabre model: 23, RC, PRO, IS, IS-M Series, and ShopSabre plasma tables. Free appraisal within 24 hours.