ShopBot Carolina
Image: shopbottools.com, ShopBot
Key Specifications
Rapid Traverse
popular table sizes
footprint 48 48 table
footprint 96 48 table
footprint 96 60 table
cutting area 48 48 table
How much does the ShopBot Carolina cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the ShopBot Carolina that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.
Overview
The ShopBot Carolina is the entry series of ShopBot's full-size gantry routers, and the one that can run from a household outlet: with the 1 hp spindle the machine works on 110 V. It replaces the PRS5 Standard line on the same PRS5 table design. Cutting speed reaches 480 in/min (200 mm/s) and rapids reach 720 in/min (300 mm/s).
Three table sizes are listed, 4 x 4, 4 x 8 and 5 x 8 ft. The 96-48 table has a cutting area of 103 x 49 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,245 x 200 mm) and the 96-60 table widens that to 103 x 61 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,550 x 200 mm). Z travel is 8 in (200 mm) on every Carolina. Table lengths stop at 96 in (2,438 mm) and beam widths at 60 in (1,524 mm), so longer or wider work means moving up to the PRS5 Alpha, which goes to 192 in.
Spindle choice sets what the machine needs from the building and what tooling it holds. The 1 hp spindle uses ER20 collets and bits up to 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shank. The 2.2 hp, 4 hp and 5 hp spindles need 220 V and above, come with 1/4 in and 1/2 in ER25 collets, and take shanks up to 5/8 in (15.9 mm). For sheet goods cut in several passes the small spindle is workable. For full-depth passes in plywood it is the larger spindles that make use of the 480 in/min feed.
Positional resolution is 0.0006 in (0.015 mm). All axes are rack-and-pinion driven through low-backlash tapered-hob gear heads, with linear rail and bearings on Y and Z and a hardened steel track on X. Tool changes are by hand on this model; the Carolina ATC is the version with a tool bar.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Popular Table Sizes | 4 x 4, 4 x 8 and 5 x 8 ft |
| Footprint 48 48 Table | 72 x 79 x 67 in (1,830 x 2,000 x 1,700 mm) |
| Footprint 96 48 Table | 120 x 79 x 67 in (3,050 x 2,000 x 1,700 mm) |
| Footprint 96 60 Table | 120 x 91 x 67 in (3,050 x 2,310 x 1,700 mm) |
| Cutting Area 48 48 Table | 56 x 49 x 8 in (1,420 x 1,245 x 200 mm) |
| Cutting Area 96 48 Table | 103 x 49 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,245 x 200 mm) |
| Cutting Area 96 60 Table | 103 x 61 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,550 x 200 mm) |
| Z Axis Travel | 8 in (200 mm) |
| Table Length Range | 48 to 96 in (1,219 to 2,438 mm) |
| Gantry Beam Width Range | 48 to 60 in (1,219 to 1,524 mm) |
| Cutting Feed Rate | 480 in/min (200 mm/s) |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 720 in/min (300 mm/s) |
| Positional Resolution | 0.0006 in (0.015 mm) |
| Drive System | Rack-and-pinion power transmission on each axis, low-backlash tapered-hob gear heads |
| Linear Guides | Precision linear rail and bearings on Y-axis and Z-axis; hardened steel track on X-axis |
| Machine Weight | 900-1,500 lbs (408-680 kg), machine only, depending on options |
| Crated Weight | 1,100-1,700 lbs (499-771 kg) |
| CNC Control | ShopBot control software |
| Software | Vectric VCarve Pro (standard) |
| Spindle Options | 1 hp (0.7 kW) 110 V spindle; 2.2 hp, 4 hp and 5 hp (1.6, 3.0 and 3.7 kW) spindles |
| Collets | 1 hp spindle: ER20 collets, bits up to 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shank; 2.2, 4 and 5 hp spindles: 1/4 in and 1/2 in ER25 collets (2 each), bits up to 5/8 in (15.9 mm) shank |
| Power Requirement | 110 V or 220 V single-phase or 230 V 3-phase, depending on spindle; 1 hp spindle: 110 V; 2.2, 4 and 5 hp spindles: 220 V and above |
Specifications sourced from shopbottools.com — verified 2026-10-05
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Runs on 110 V household power when fitted with the 1 hp spindle
- Spindle options of 1 hp, 2.2 hp, 4 hp and 5 hp on the same table
- Full-sheet cutting area of 103 x 49 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,245 x 200 mm) on the 96-48 table
- Rapids of 720 in/min (300 mm/s) and cutting speeds up to 480 in/min (200 mm/s)
- Limit switches on X, Y and Z and a Z-zero touch-off plate are part of the listed features
Limitations
- Cutting speed tops out at 480 in/min, against 720 in/min on the PRS5 Alpha
- Z travel is fixed at 8 in (200 mm); the 14 in and 26 in options belong to the PRS5 Alpha series
- Largest listed table is 5 x 8 ft, with table length limited to 96 in (2,438 mm)
- The 1 hp spindle is limited to ER20 collets and 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shanks
- Manual tool changes, and the machine is delivered as four modules to assemble
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
With the 1 hp spindle, yes: that configuration is 110 V. The 2.2 hp, 4 hp and 5 hp spindles need 220 V and above, and ShopBot lists 110 V or 220 V single-phase and 230 V 3-phase options depending on the spindle chosen.
02
ShopBot lists 4 x 4, 4 x 8 and 5 x 8 ft tables. Cutting areas are 56 x 49 x 8 in (1,420 x 1,245 x 200 mm), 103 x 49 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,245 x 200 mm) and 103 x 61 x 8 in (2,616 x 1,550 x 200 mm). Table lengths run from 48 to 96 in and gantry beam widths from 48 to 60 in.
03
That depends on the spindle. The 1 hp 110 V spindle comes with ER20 collets and holds bits with up to a 1/2 in (12.7 mm) shank. The 2.2 hp, 4 hp and 5 hp spindles come with 1/4 in and 1/2 in ER25 collets, two of each, and hold shanks up to 5/8 in (15.9 mm).
04
The table design is shared. The Carolina cuts at up to 480 in/min and rapids at 720 in/min with 0.0006 in resolution. The PRS5 Alpha has closed-loop motors, cuts at up to 720 in/min, rapids at 1,800 in/min and resolves 0.0004 in. The PRS5 Alpha also offers 14 or 26 in of Z travel and tables up to 192 in long.
05
The machine weighs 900-1,500 lbs (408-680 kg) depending on options, and the crated weight is 1,100-1,700 lbs (499-771 kg). It ships as four ready-to-assemble modules. ShopBot offers on-site assembly and training for buyers who do not want to build it themselves.
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