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Thread: Carvetight Spindle fell out

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    26

    Default Carvetight Spindle fell out

    I was in the middle of a 6 hour carve when the tool holder dropped out of the spindle. I had just upgraded it and the entire Carvetight had less than 5 hours of carve time on it. I talked with Carvewright support and they said they had never heard of that before and that likely the z-motor had an error and caused the bit to jam, resulting in the tool holder becoming dislodged. Their solution - another Carvtight, a replacement z-motor, and a new ribbon cable.

    I tried to reinstall the tool holder and was able to press it mostly back in place - to the point of engaging the drive cable. I suspect that if I had a way of pressing it back into place that I could make the Carvetight operational again. It almost seems that the tool holder diameter is out of spec, allowing it to fall out of the spindle. If it were pressed in correctly and tightly, it would not have fell out. There was no evidence of the tool getting jammed nor was there damage to the 1/32 bit.

    Since the z-motor has never give me a problem before and there really isn't that many total hours on the entire machine, I wanted to ask this group -- does it seem reasonable that the z-motor has gone bad? Does anyone know a way to test the motor?

    Thanks for any suggestions!

    Rob

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    7,962

    Default

    If you had no indication of the Z motor stalling and the bit jamming like they said I would not think that was your issue. Could you post a picture of your problem?
    RingNeckBlues
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    26

    Default

    I walked away from the carving for about 10 minutes.... of course that is when it happened. When I returned I had an axis error on the machine and the part was out. I should have taken a picture, but after posting I decided to see if I could press them back together. I froze the tool holder in the freezer and then with my vice and a couple of pieces of wood, I applied a bit of pressure and they slid back together. When I turn the tool holder in the bearing, there is a bit of roughness like the drive cable is still attached. Maybe that is normal.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Vancouver Island
    Posts
    8,193

    Default

    Did you take off the top hat? There is a circlip which clips onto the top of the spindle. This clip must have come off for the spindle to have fallen out. If you do not reinstall the circlip, the spindle will fall out again.

    It could be that the circlip was not initially installed correctly (or at all) when the spindle was installed in the truck.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Kaukauna, Wisconsin
    Posts
    767

    Default

    What you are feeling could be a bad bearing. The spindle should spin freely and smooth. I could see the vibration of a bad bearing at 25000rpm causing this to happen.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    26

    Default

    The top hat and clip are in place, but I am becoming very suspicious that the bearing is bad. I am going to try to use it this weekend and see what happens. If it falls out again, hopefully I can get to the bearing fairly easily and see if I can replace it. I also wonder if the slight taper to the tool holder is not machined correctly which is allowing it some room to slip. Something is clearly wrong with the manufacturing quality. I am now convinced more than ever that it is not the z-motor or ribbon cable, and with only 5 hours max on the Carvetight, it cannot be worn out <smile>. However, since I have had the Carvetight for longer than 30 days, it is out of warranty.

    I'll report back if there are any problems this weekend. Thanks everyone for your help!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Well guys, it did it again. This time I have better pictures. Personally, I am convinced that there is a quality control issue with this. I think there is a ring missing from the top of the tool holder and there is no evidence to suggest one was ever there. BUT, I know you guys know much more than I do. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!Click image for larger version. 

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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    7,962

    Default

    On picture 1033, the last one, you will see a slot/groove at the end of the shaft. The slot is for a C clip ring that keeps/holds the spindle shaft in the assembly. The end of the shaft and slot should be just above the top spindle bearing.
    RingNeckBlues
    My patterns on the Depot
    DC-INSERT It Just Sucks!

    Proven to out perform all others!
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    All patterns and projects that I share on the CarveWright forum are for your personal carving purpose. They are not to be shared, sold or posted on any other web site without permission from RingNeckBlues Designs.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Vancouver Island
    Posts
    8,193

    Default

    The circlip as Floyd says (what I was referring to in the earlier post) must have been missing. Further, the bottom bearing should be firmly pressed onto the spindle. I think you need to send the upgrade parts back to LHR.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Evansdale,Ia.
    Posts
    180

    Default

    Well I have a different problem!!! instead of the hole spindle falling out I'm having problems with the 1/16" bit just falls out of the spindle while it is caving. i have even put in a new bit and it falls out. Does anybody know what I need to do to keep the bit in??? I should say that it is on my B model and the carve tight was one of the first ones that came out. Thank you for your help!!!!

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