I get asked often where the best place to purchase the Shapeoko 3 CNC machine is.  While you could buy directly from Carbide 3D, I reccommend purchasing the Shapeoko from a company called Matterhackers.
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MatterHackers was founded by people with a serious passion for technology that helps you make things. With this deep-rooted dedication, we wanted to make the process of digital fabrication more accessible, giving educators, engineers, manufacturers, small businesses and tinkerers the power to make anything.
Headquartered in Southern California, MatterHackers’ dedicated staff are committed to providing the kind of service that makes you go "wow." We offer the highest quality materials, machines, and accessories - ranging from industrial-grade 3D printers to DIY laser cutters - all of which have been tested and approved by our in-house experts. Their amazing gals and guys in customer service are here Monday through Friday to help with anything you may need, from finding the right machine to package your specific product, to discussing which filament is best for classrooms. Bottom line is, they are there to make 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling magic happen.
So purchasing from Matterhackers gives you TWO companys to contact if you ever have any problems with the machine.  It's like getting two warranties in one.  And often, Matterhackers provides free shipping on the Carbide 3D Shapeoko XXL, XL and Regular Desktop Hobby CNC machine.
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This is taken directly from their website:
Why buy from MatterHackers?Put simply, MatterHackers is the smart place to shop for all things 3D printing and digital manufacturing. The MatterHackers pros are here to partner with you through every step of your journey turning idea into reality and here are just a few of the perks you’ll receive as a customer:

• No matter how large or small your order is, U.S. customers will always receive free, fast shipping. Most orders placed before 4pm ET M-F ship same day.
• We work hard to make sure that we offer the lowest prices available - shop confidently knowing you’re getting the best deals on the items you love. Learn more about our Best Price Guarantee here.
• We just want to help you save - MatterHackers' customers can earn a store credit of 3% back on all eligible purchases. Learn more and become a Rewards Program member here.
• MatterHackers is invested in your success. From our free phone and email support to our easy exchange program, MatterHackers sets you up on the road to success even with just one purchase. Learn more here.

RETURN POLICY (from Matterhackers)Please note that returns are not accepted on opened kits. Only new, unopened kits may be returned within 30 days of purchase. If a part from the kit is determined to be defective during the warranty period, a replacement part will be supplied.
Please note that printer kits are not returnable after having been opened and worked on. If there is a problem with the packaging or damage during shipment please return the product immediately, otherwise a return will not be offered after assembly.

Here's a video they did about the machine:

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF CNC ROUTINGCarbide 3D, the creators of the Nomad 883 PRO CNC Mill bring you the Shapeoko - a CNC Router kit that allows you to create larger scale projects with a wide array of router bits. The heart of the Shapeoko is a Carbide Compact Router, ready to accept any standard router bit. So whatever type of cut you want in whatever material from wood, plastic, and even aluminum is made possible with this impressive machine.


YOUR NEEDS CHANGE, SO CAN SHAPEOKOThe Shapeoko is intended to be hackable, so set it up to be exactly what you need. If you need more space for taller stock, remove the table section to add  more clearance. Drill holes and accessorize the machine to best suit your needs, whatever they might be. The standard kit will get you going, you only need to supply the material to cut. Every component of the machine and every tool needed to assemble it comes included.


THE MACHINE TO FIT YOUR NEEDSThe Shapeoko is available in three sizes, from Standard to XL and XXL. The only difference between the machines is the work area, here are the details:

• Shapeoko Standard: cutting area of 16x16x3"
• Shapeoko XL: cutting area of 16x33x3"
• Shapeoko XXL: cutting area of 33x33x3"

No matter what you want to make and how much space you have for the machine, there is a Shapeoko for your workshop.


WHAT'S IN THE BOX?The Carbide 3D Shapeoko CNC Router Kit includes:

• Machine frame
• MDF Wasteboard
• All tools required to assemble the machine
• Design software - Carbide Create
• Control software - Carbide Motion
• 1/4" Carbide Cutter - #201 Flat Cutter
• Homing Switch Kit

Assembled Machine Footprint: 45" x 24" x 16"
The entire kit is designed, manufactured and supported in the USA - from the manufacturing at Carbide to the shipping and support at MatterHackers.
The only thing not included is something to cut, so be sure to grab some stock!

I LOVE the video game Astroneer.  Ever since i found this little obscure game on Game Preview via XBOX in prealpha state I've been a fan.  I'm not even sure how I found it, but I'm glad I did.  With each update I dive back in always in wonder by what new things there is to do.  A game where I'm not shooting someone?!  How can it be?!
I'm also fortunate to have a good friend who likes it as much as I do.  The unfortunate thing is that he live 3500 miles from me in Alaska.  We met at college while playing lacrosse.  This game is what keeps us close 8 years later.  XBOX chat is our version of talking on the phone.

I designed the box from scratch.  Then used my 60w laser to cut it out.  I then bought some foam from hobby lobby and tried cutting it out on the laser cutter.  I went to slow and caught it on fire!  I tried some floor tile mats from harbor freight.  These worked great.  Only problem I ran into with them is that they aren't as thick.  I ended up doing 3 layers on the bottom and one layer on the top with the cut outs of the figurine.
The words around the lid are the planets and type, the gases, and the elements in the game.  They are only 2mm in height so they are very tiny.  I decided to do some of the larger element symbols around the outside of the box.  FosterScotch is my friends gamertag.
I liked the wanderers update picture because of the artwork and the good contrast in it.  That makes for a pretty decent lasering using jarvis etching on the laser.  I used the model that Spencer created.  It's great Spencer!  Now, can you model the other suits?!  (Here's a link to his file)  I printed it out .1 on the Prusa SLA resin 3D printer, the SL1.  It came out great!  This was my first time painting anything printed.  I got some Testors model paint and their cheap paint brushes.  I learned the hard way that vigorously mixing the paint is a must.  If you look at the red and the blue you can see they kind of bleed.  It was pretty watery consistency.  Then I realized I needed to shake the fire out of the bottles before painting.  The other colors turned out much better.  I still hate painting.
The magnets are the coolest part of this figure.  It's just like how it all snaps together in the game.  They are REALLY tiny, but oh so satisfying.
At the bottom of this post I attached a video of the box closed and opening the box, taking out the Astro man and assembling them together. 
I think it turned out really cool!  Hopefully it makes it to Alaska in one piece!  Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy Making!
Ben

I found an ebay seller that is selling the same camera that Lightburn is selling for less than 1/2 the price.  Definitly worth a look if your interested in using your laser engraver and laser cutter with a camera (which I highly recommend).  Lightburn makes in very easy to install and calibrate.  The camera is simple to install.  Purchase the camera, purchase the camera mount from my etsy shop, install on your laser with 2 screws or hot glue, and then plug the camera into your computers usb slot.  Lightburn will walk you through the calibration.  The whole process should take around 30 minutes.  Now you can laser exact spots and never have to set up or waste material again!

Below is a video I've made showing how to install and calibrate the Lightburn Camera on a Laser cutter and laser engraver.

Did I Waste $2400 on a 60W Laser Cutter from China?
 
              I did it. I took the leap and bought a 60w Orion Motor Tech Black and Yellow laser engraver/cutter on amazon!
 
Overall, I'm very impressed with this laser.  The sweet spot for laser cutting and laser engraving is 60-80 watts.   Higher watts and the engraving will not be as good because the laser is just too powerful.  We're able to cut up to 1/2 material depending on the density.  1/4 material is easy to cut in one pass.  We primarily use 1/4 birch plywood for our uses.  Since this laser is a C02 laser, it will not cut ANY metal.  You'd need a fiber laser for that, however it will mark on metal using thermal marking spray.  It will cut cork, soft and hard wood, acrylic, cardboard, and paper.  It will mark on glass, slate, stone, granite, and marble.  Be careful you do not cut certain types of plastics as the release toxic gases and will kill you if inhaled.

Included with the laser:

• Two six-inch rubber ventilation ducts with hose clamps
•  Water reservoir for cooling
• Water tubes
• Water pump
• Air pump
• Air blower
• Two activation keys
• Tool for opening all the doors and hatches
• Tool for measuring the focal distance of the laser from the cutting surface.

 
Control Panel

• Laser Switch
• Control Switch
• Ethernet Port
• Two USB ports (1 PC and 1 USB Disc)

 
Bottom Hatch - “The Guts”:

• Laser Tube Power Supply
• Power for rest of the electronics
• 110/220V switch (110 for America)
• 2 Controllers w/ heat sync
• Controller with USB and ethernet ports

 
Top Hatch:

• Controller Access – Allows access to the controller if you want/need to switch out the Ruida RD644S Controller

 
Power Plate (Back Bottom Left Corner):

• 110v power supply
• Optional: Grounding Wire, Water and Air Pump power supply

 
Air/Water Hookups (Back Bottom Right Corner):

• Water Inlet
• Water Outlet
• Air Inlet

 
Front and Back Bottom Hatches:

• Belt

 
Top Back Hatch:

• LASER TUBE
• Water cooling tubes
• Adjustable Mirrors for laser

 
Pass Through Ports:

• Door on front and back of cutting surface to fit larger pieces of material on the cutting surface

 
Cutting Area:

• Laser Head
• Metal honeycomb shaped bed
• More adjustable mirrors for the laser
• Air Assist – Blows air on the material where the laser is cutting to prevent fires
• Rails that allow the laser to move along the top of the bed (don’t touch these, they’re very greasy!)
• Knob for raising/lowering the bed and adjusting cut height

 
What’s in the mysterious zipper package?

• Ethernet cable
• Power cord (standard computer power cord)
• USB to USB cord
• CD with files/drivers
• White electrical tape
• Alan key set
• Silicone adhesive sealant
• Instruction Manual with instructions, tips and tricks (somewhat broken English)

 
Centrifugal Blower:

• Blows fumes from laser through ducts and out

 
 
Some things that didn’t come with the laser:

• S&A 5200 Chiller
• 6 Inch 390 CFM Inline Duct Fan (replacing the loud blower that came with the laser)
• Lightburn laser cutter software

 
Summary: This thing is awesome! So far, I’ve used it in making signs, home décor, 3D wooden models and so much more. I can cut through up to about 1/2” of wood depending on density and have started experimenting with etching on metal as well (you will need a spray to do so like THIS called Ceramark or Thermark ). Overall, this laser is a great buy, a great tool and all around fun to play with.