m4pc
02-18-2007, 11:16 AM
I purchased a “used only once” CompuCarve on eBay and received it yesterday. After a quick once-over looking for loose and missing pieces, I cut a couple of sample carvings. I wasn’t overly impressed with the detail on the prices that I cut. As I examined the machine for possible causes, I saw visible radial movement in the chuck. At the tip of the carving bit it was even more amplified. I originally guessed the bit adapter was loose in the chuck or chuck was loose on the spindle, but I can see the spindle moves with the chuck and have checked that it’s tight. The bit adapters fit in the chuck with no discernable play.
I measured the free play using my dial indicator while keeping the y- and z-trucks motionless: At the chuck, side-to-side and front-to-back motion is 0.045 inches. When the movement’s measured at the tip of the bit, it’s 0.075 inches.
This motion seems excessive to me. Is there a spindle bearing in the z-truck that can be tightened? After looking at the amount of motion, I wonder if there’s even a bearing there at all.
Any recommendations or suggestions?
I measured the free play using my dial indicator while keeping the y- and z-trucks motionless: At the chuck, side-to-side and front-to-back motion is 0.045 inches. When the movement’s measured at the tip of the bit, it’s 0.075 inches.
This motion seems excessive to me. Is there a spindle bearing in the z-truck that can be tightened? After looking at the amount of motion, I wonder if there’s even a bearing there at all.
Any recommendations or suggestions?