karossii
11-18-2014, 11:24 PM
I have had my machine partially apart twice now. Both times, to work on the four corner posts to try and fix a head pressure issue. Which I resolved, but it was never back to like-new (I think I only got it back up to the high 60's, not 75+ pounds). I have decent 'handyman' and mechanical skills. I even have average to above average skills at working with microelectronics. I've just been afraid of doing damage to my very expensive machine.
But the past two weeks, I have done more carving with it than in the past several years since I bought it, and have had a myriad of odd errors crop up. Some I know were user error. But some seem to be machine error. Check tracking roller. Check board sensor. I don't remember the error code, but I have twice had it crap out in the next to last pass of a vector carve with the 1/2" ogee bit, only making it .375" of the .5" depth which is the default depth given that bit, something about the z-axis. I redid that carve in designer, setting the dpeth to .375", and it carved just fine... so for some reason it can't make it to the full .5" the bit is made to go to.
That said, it still carves mostly fine. Yesterday I did an hour carve and a two hour carve, and aside from having to ignore the check tracking roller error messages twice, both carved fine with no other errors, and the carves came out just fine. I am pretty sure that error comes from using a longer/heavier board, with inadequate head pressure. As soon as I cut the board down to size, or support it with a homemade roller stand, the error goes away.
Also, I have not been the best at preventative maintenance. I've only lubed the flexshaft once (recently). I have Floyd's dust collector, but I only blow out the dust that it misses every second or third carve. I forget and leave the final bit for a project in the machine overnight (or longer) on at least half my carves.
So, I have decided it is time for me to get over my timidity, and tear this machine apart. To some degree, at least. Clean it up, look for minor problems before they become major. Try to get the head pressure back up to the mid 70s. And etc. Tomorrow will be the day. I have set aside several hours to do this.
What all should I plan to tear apart? What should I avoid getting into? Is there anything else I should be aware of before taking on this task?
Thanks!
[edit/addendum] ... in case it makes a difference, I have a B model, with the carvetight upgrade and rubber belts, about 40-50 hours of run time, and about 30 hours on the cut motor...
But the past two weeks, I have done more carving with it than in the past several years since I bought it, and have had a myriad of odd errors crop up. Some I know were user error. But some seem to be machine error. Check tracking roller. Check board sensor. I don't remember the error code, but I have twice had it crap out in the next to last pass of a vector carve with the 1/2" ogee bit, only making it .375" of the .5" depth which is the default depth given that bit, something about the z-axis. I redid that carve in designer, setting the dpeth to .375", and it carved just fine... so for some reason it can't make it to the full .5" the bit is made to go to.
That said, it still carves mostly fine. Yesterday I did an hour carve and a two hour carve, and aside from having to ignore the check tracking roller error messages twice, both carved fine with no other errors, and the carves came out just fine. I am pretty sure that error comes from using a longer/heavier board, with inadequate head pressure. As soon as I cut the board down to size, or support it with a homemade roller stand, the error goes away.
Also, I have not been the best at preventative maintenance. I've only lubed the flexshaft once (recently). I have Floyd's dust collector, but I only blow out the dust that it misses every second or third carve. I forget and leave the final bit for a project in the machine overnight (or longer) on at least half my carves.
So, I have decided it is time for me to get over my timidity, and tear this machine apart. To some degree, at least. Clean it up, look for minor problems before they become major. Try to get the head pressure back up to the mid 70s. And etc. Tomorrow will be the day. I have set aside several hours to do this.
What all should I plan to tear apart? What should I avoid getting into? Is there anything else I should be aware of before taking on this task?
Thanks!
[edit/addendum] ... in case it makes a difference, I have a B model, with the carvetight upgrade and rubber belts, about 40-50 hours of run time, and about 30 hours on the cut motor...