Another chinese CNC router

snowyskiesau · #1 30th Nov 2011, 09:41 PM

I bought this router back in June but having no fixed abode, had to leave it wrapped up (apart from a quick peek of course).

As I now have a home and a ~~kitchen table~~ suitable place to assemble it, I thought I'd start a thread on the progress. Hopefully my experience will be better than Boomeranginfo's.

Step 1: Find all the bits! So far, so good. The gantry needed a good clean as it was sitting in an enclosed back verandah that turned out not to be bird proof! Only cosmetic damage. The controller has been apart to have a look at the wiring which all seemed OK

Step 2: Check the squareness of the base. After digging in boxes in the shed, found a square. On closer inspection, it's not needed - the base is visibly out of square. The last picture is of the t-slot top.

I hope it's just been knocked in the many moves it's had since I received it.
I think the next step is to loosen some fasteners and try to square it up. Unfortunately, the hex keys are in a box (don't know which one) , in the shed - which, still having no power, is dark.

EDIT: Power is now on in the shed!

wheelinround · #2 30th Nov 2011, 10:06 PM

snowyskiesau · #3 6th Dec 2011, 03:47 PM

Finally found time to do the CNC thing,

The out of square problem was not major, I guess it took a knock while living in the van. Undid the bolts holding the t-slot on and it all popped back into place.

Decide to take the t-slot off so I could see if there was any nasties (swarf) in the rest of it.
The t-slot seems to be upside down! The side that currently shows has two slots, the underside has three. Can anyone see any reason for this? If not, I'll redrill and put it on the right way.
Lots of grime on the bearings rods so I'll clean them while I can.

I still can't find my hex T-drivers! Perhaps if I spend a bit of time sorting out the shed ...

marty989 · #4 6th Dec 2011, 05:01 PM

With the way the T slots are arranged at the moment the T-Slots are uniform and the same shape. If you flip them to get 3 showing one of the 3 is a different shape and may require a different nut.

snowyskiesau · #5 6th Dec 2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty989

With the way the T slots are arranged at the moment the T-Slots are uniform and the same shape. If you flip them to get 3 showing one of the 3 is a different shape and may require a different nut.

That's not it. The slots are the same size and take the supplied nuts without a problem. Attached is a clearer picture of the t-slot.

Perhaps the more expensive model router has more slots?

marty989 · #6 6th Dec 2011, 05:57 PM

You are correct. Oh well that was the only thing I could think of, so now you're on your own

snowyskiesau · #7 6th Dec 2011, 06:38 PM

All together and ready for a smoke test - later.

Found the computer I bought for this stuff over 12 months ago - still works!

Now I need to find a quiet corner (they're all quiet around here) to read the Mach 3 manual and/or watch the videos.

Help Wanted
If anyone has suggestions for Mach 3 config settings for one of these routers, I'd appreciate them.

wheelinround · #8 6th Dec 2011, 07:18 PM

Och ie Laddie ye eye be getting that bad ye need Binoculars to see the screen n keyboard

I bet not.

I reckon the be a view much better out that window.

Set up look tops Geoff

snowyskiesau · #9 6th Dec 2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Och ie Laddie ye eye be getting that bad ye need Binoculars to see the screen n keyboard

I bet not.

I reckon the be a view much better out that window.

Set up look tops Geoff

You're right Ray, while the eysight is not what it once was, I don't need something quite that strong.
And there's always something out the window that's more interesting than what's on the kitchen table (with the possible exception of dinner

Current view out the kitchen window attached.

wheelinround · #10 6th Dec 2011, 07:40 PM

Looks as cold and glum as here Geoff no wonder CNC has come along way bbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrr typical Tassie day.

What away to have breakfast, lunch & dinner though

Thanks for the pic.

snowyskiesau · #11 6th Dec 2011, 07:43 PM

It's a balmy 13 degrees, a lovely summer day

6 degrees last night though. I think the firewood order needs to go in early.

SawDustSniffer · #12 6th Dec 2011, 07:43 PM

if it has www.diycnc.org on the cover , there site has the set-up instructions , but take them with a pinch of salt

snowyskiesau · #13 6th Dec 2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SawDustSniffer

if it has www.diycnc.org on the cover , there site has the set-up instructions , but take them with a pinch of salt

Not sure my CNC has a brand name. It's just one of those identical machines sold by innumerable eBay vendors.

Any chance of an English language version?

EDIT: It's OK, I just remembered a post by rodm when I first got the router. It contains a link to installing and configuring Mach 3, mostly in English!

Thanks Rod!

rodm · #14 6th Dec 2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

The t-slot seems to be upside down! The side that currently shows has two slots, the underside has three. Can anyone see any reason for this? If not, I'll redrill and put it on the right way.

The T slot is arranged that way so it is fixed firmer to the machine. If you flip it then you have an overhang between the holding down slot and the outside slots.
I fix t slot the same as your machine has it.

rodm · #15 6th Dec 2011, 09:42 PM

I take that back !!!!
I see your machine has drilled and tapped holding down points with only two to each width. I use t slot nuts on mine so should have looked closer and not make assumptions.