Board shifts in machine part II

[bergerud]

(I assume the board was back in about the same place after the measurement.) So, I guess that it must either be the belts or the rollers above??

Check those rollers above. Try the experiment with minimal head pressure?

[Dale]

I've visually checked the rollers and blew them out with air, both rollers have play in them length wise but not side to side so I would think that is OK. Guess it's possible for a bearing to be bad under pressure. Do you think it would be worth it to pull the rollers out? Not sure how much of a job that is but I could try it.
I will try lower head pressures first.
Thanks for the help!

[mtylerfl]

Perhaps the head is not Level, and causes the pressure to be "lopsided" across the board width? Worth checking if you haven't already.

If you want to try the minimal head pressure without disassembling anything, just lower the head slowly with some downward hand pressure as the head goes down onto the board. Stop turning the crank before it clicks.

[fwharris]

Could it also be possible that the head is not level right to left as you are looking at the key pad? Just a WFG!

[Dale]

Head level has been checked before - a .001 difference between keyboard side and other side.
Just tried using lower pressure,used just enough to get both roller switches made - no difference to problem.
Removed both pressure rollers and everything looked good, no sawdust build up or any "gunk". Found out they use bushings not bearings.
Tomorrow I will check level left to right. Not really sure how to do that, compare distance between belt and compression roller?

[fwharris]

Not really sure how to do that, compare distance between belt and compression roller?


I would do it the same way you check the level across the width of the machine. Measure from the flat area of the corner post to the top of the head.

[Dale]

That makes sense, I'll let you know tomorrow what i find.

[bergerud]

I think it must have something to do with the belts. Are you sure all of the alignment tabs on the base are all there? If they are and the belt assemblies are aligned, maybe you have to look at the assemblies themselves. Could, for example, one of the rollers be sliding back and forth? There are some set screws which hold the position of the the belt rollers.

[mtylerfl]

Dan's suggestion is a good one to check. I was about to suggest inspecting the x axis gears for funk or damage as a last resort, since you seem to have already checked just about everything else.

[Dale]

Michael. I had the belt assemblies off yesterday and I checked all the x gears.

Dan, I think it has something to due with the belts also. I pulled them off and removed the belts mainly to see if the springs were weak or sticky. I did not check for any loose screws. Where did you find that diagram? Sure could have used it yesterday.

Thanks everyone for coming up with all the ideas. I am determined to find the problem this time. Like I said I have been living with this for over three years. The machine carves fine it is just that all projects are cocked off at an angle sometimes it is not noticeable and sometimes it is. When it is I then have to mess around with a table saw to get all four side parallel to the carved region.