Z truck catches

[Dale]

Lately I have noticed that when I move the Z truck up and down (no power) at about the half way point it seems to catch, almost like a detent, put a little more pressure on it and it moves normal again. I took the Z motor off and the catch is still there, actually worse, but with the belt hanging loose inside the truck I cannot tell if it is the loose belt causing the catch or something else. I have lubracated the bearing and all four bearings are tight and rotating. Any ideas?

[fwharris]

There might be a dent in one of the Z rails. I had the same symptoms a couple of years ago and the only way I could find it was with a magnifying glass. I fixed by just rotating the Z rails.

[Dale]

Thanks, will check it out. How do I rotate the rails if needed?

[fwharris]

You will need to remove the Z truck http://www.carvewright.com/support-p...vetight-video/

[Dale]

That's what I was afraid you were going to say. I inspected the rails and one of them has a wear spot about 1/4" long exactly where the bottom bearing is when I get the catch. I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks for the help!

[CW-HAL9000]

I have also had the small white gear at the bottom of the belt stick. I just had to blow it out and spray it with wd40 (put a rag under to catch drips). Then rotate by hand and continue cleaning and spraying until it rotates freely. Then wipe it all down and put spray lube onto shaft of gear, wipe down again and re assemble.

[Woodpecker]

Just had the same problem. Check the belt and gear for sawdust or chips of wood. I used a pocket knife. Perhaps a toothpick or some other cleaning process will be much better? The 4 hp vacuum on the blow side helped more than on the suction side. I have taken a vacuum tube and heated it with a small torch to make a special tube for my CW. It helps with the cleaning in some of the areas where a flat surface is appropriate and it is great to reverse the air flow to blow out those tracks and stay away from any of the computer components that may not like any static electricity.

Woodpecker

[Dale]

Just an update, rotated Z rails and "detent" is gone. Before if I did a plain carved region everything was fine, but if I had a design in the carved region I would get lines immediatley after the design. Lines are now gone. Thanks for the help.

[CW-HAL9000]

Glad it worked out, have fun carving!

[fwharris]

Just an update, rotated Z rails and "detent" is gone. Before if I did a plain carved region everything was fine, but if I had a design in the carved region I would get lines immediatley after the design. Lines are now gone. Thanks for the help.

Great to hear that was the fix!